Back in August, during the 81st annual Venice Film Festival, Angelina Jolie graced the red carpet for the world premiere of ‘Maria’ in a stunning, stone-draped chiffon strapless gown, complete with a dramatic faux fur shawl. The internet erupted, hailing her as a ‘goddess,’ ‘royalty,’ and ‘queen.’ The question on everyone’s lips: who designed this retro-chic masterpiece? The answer: Tamara Ralph, a designer known for her work with Hollywood’s elite.
Ralph, who co-founded the couture gown label Ralph & Russo and served as creative director until 2021, has a long history of dressing iconic figures like Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya, and, of course, Jolie. Her new eponymous line, launched in 2022, has quickly become a red carpet favorite, with celebrity dressing at its core.
“It is a business, but to work with celebrities organically is, in my opinion, the only way to ensure an authentic approach and result,” Ralph shared with Vogue. “It is also critical to ensure I am aligning myself and my brand with the right talent—women who share my ethos and my values, who inspire me, and who have a voice that they use for good.”
Ralph’s influence has been particularly visible over the past month, with A-listers flocking to her formal designs at events like the Toronto International Film Festival and the Emmys. In Toronto, Jennifer Lopez shimmered in a silver mirrored column dress with side cutouts and velvet bows, while Florence Pugh stole the show in a pink silk taffeta gown with pleated corset detailing, both creations by Ralph.
At the Emmys, Rita Ora donned a pink silk double satin strapless dress with a silk chiffon cape from the label, while Eiza Gonzalez opted for a sequin version with an ostrich cape. (The similarities between the two looks, noted by observers across social media, underscore the signature Tamara Ralph style: the strapless-gown-and-cape combo.)
When asked about her favorite red carpet look, Ralph responded with characteristic humility, “I could never choose! It is too hard and, furthermore, I don’t like to play favorites. Each moment holds special meaning for me.”
In a world where celebrities have access to virtually every fashion house, Ralph’s rising popularity is noteworthy. While brands like Loewe and Balenciaga are making waves with avant-garde silhouettes that challenge traditional notions of glamour, Ralph embraces the classic, the timeless, and the elegance of a well-crafted gown. This approach clearly resonates with her A-list clientele.
“I have worked hard over my career to forge special relationships with celebrities and their teams,” Ralph explains. “In many cases, my relationship is with the celebrity directly, and we work together to create their look. In other cases, it may be through their stylist.”
While Ralph’s hyper-feminine dresses may not push the boundaries of fashion in the same way as Schiaparelli or Bottega Veneta’s sculptural designs, there’s a growing appreciation for her glamorous approach. The red carpet set seems to be embracing Ralph’s designs, seeking the sparkle and elegance they offer without taking a bold fashion risk.
Just last week, Halle Berry, a long-time Tamara Ralph fan, wore a crystal mesh chevron gown designed by Ralph. The designer also played a starring role in the ‘It Ends With Us’ press tour, with Blake Lively showcasing Ralph’s crystal mesh intarsia gown with floral appliqués and, of course, a cape.
Ralph confirms that we can expect to see much more of her work on the red carpet in the months to come. “Red carpet dressing will always be integral to the brand,” Ralph says, “and I will continue to invest my time and energy in maintaining and forging new relationships with celebrities—and the teams behind them—who feel right for myself as a designer and for my brand.”
