Ralph & Russo to launch ready-to-wear at London Fashion Week

British couture brand Ralph & Russo is making a move into ready-to-wear and will be showing the debut collection at London Fashion Week next month.

The brand, which was founded by Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo ten years ago, shows its couture in Paris but has chosen London as the platform for its ready-to-wear line.

It will show at 8.30pm on Friday 15 September at Old Billingsgate. “With London being a cosmopolitan hub, we couldn’t think of a better place to launch our first ready-to-wear offering,” said Russo, CEO and president of the brand. “We continue to listen to the demand of our customer and the market, which will continue to fuel the expansion of the Ralph & Russo product and universe.”

Dame Natalie Massenet in custom Ralph & Russo

Ralph & Russo counts A-listers such as Angelina Jolie as fans, while British Fashion Council chairman Dame Natalie Massenet wore a custom cherry red Ralph & Russo suit for her investiture as a Dame at Buckingham Palace last year. The brand promises the ready-to-wear line will be true to its DNA.

British Fashion Council CEO Caroline Rush, CBE said of the brand: "The craftsmanship behind their couture collection is a shining example of Britain’s artisanal heritage," adding that she was excited to see the ready-to-wear line.

London Fashion Week takes place from 15-19 September, see the full show schedule here.