New York Fashion Week

Divinity in the Details: Chado Ralph Rucci Spring 2012

Looks from Chado Ralph Rucci Spring 2012 (Imaxtree)

There is fashion, and then there is fashion as a higher calling—a religious devotion to craft; an unshakable reverence for refinement; the artist as demi-god whose masterful hand turns everything into sartorial gold. If you don't know the realm in which Ralph Rucci resides, then you are not among the faithful.

Of all the shows we saw in New York this season (somewhere around 50 in total), none had so much pomp, nor so much meat to back it up, as Rucci's Chado collection. Here women of a certain age and class came out in their exquisite finest to hail the maestro who makes their intricately detailed and oft severely spectacular garments by hand in his New York workroom. Never have we seen so many descend from the millionaire club to actually wait in line, sipping their free bottles of Fiji water in well-heeled anticipation.

Their god did not dissapoint: Rucci's runway presentation was also the only one we saw to draw spontaneous oohs, ahhs and standing Os throughout the show. Two looks in particular brought down the house: A delicately feathered blush tunic over a dazzling embroidered catsuit; and a strictly simple white gown with a cutaway at back to reveal a bold fuchsia skirt. The word Wow! came to mind.

Come to think of it, there was much more Wow! to be had as Rucci's eye for the finest fabrics and exacting cuts make even a simple sheath or black suit a conversation piece. And to be sure, space age-y plastic insets in several pieces will make people talk.

See all looks and multiple views of Chado Ralph Rucci Spring 2012: