On the same floor of my office building is Ralph And Russo who design dresses and gowns for ladies that lunch and celebrities who, on occasion, are out-shown by their costume. I often observe slender women slinking about, draped in sequins and cloth, making calls on their mobile or , you know, lounging. It stimulates the day. One of Ralph And Russo's big clients is Beyonce, pictured in a R&R dress, who will wear a Ralph And Russo for her first post-delivery concert in several weeks ( I ask if Beyonce around for the fittings ? but it is always a stand-in model). The dresses sell for a cool $10G and, Michael Russo tells me,
"usually worn once" (NB NBC's Access Hollywood star Maria Menounous's Ralph & Russo gown, seen at the 62nd Annual Emmy Awards, was $35,000).
Not surprisingly Ralph & Russo working with Sonnet, who will display one of their coutures in her Ballgown exhibition. Others who have worn Ralph And Russo : Angelina Jolie, Eva Longoria, Penelope Cruz, Kelly Brook and Elizabeth Hurley though, unfortunately, none have found their way to the Mortlake Business Centre. Go figure. Photo from Michael.