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| Ruffian’s Claude Morias and Brian Wolk. Photography by Elizabeth Lavin |
Fall is already on the minds of the fashion industry. One of the memorable collections shown during New York’s fashion week was designed by Ruffian’s Claude Morias and Brian Wolk, winners of this year’s FGI Rising Star Award. They made an appearance last month at Stanley Korshak for their fall 2006 trunk show, where I sat down with the refined young designers to talk about their inspirations for the collection, what’s to come, and what they think of Dallas style.
D: Is this your first time in Dallas?
Ruffian: This is our second trunk show at Stanley Korshak.
D: What do you think of Dallas women and their style?
Ruffian: There is a lot of selection in Dallas, so I believe everyone has a vision of what she needs and wants. Dallas women are very fashion forward, even more than women in New York because they are safer in New York. Kind of a European way of dress, very eccentric and forward thinking.
D: Describe who you design for.
Ruffian: We dress women and girls who are fashion forward, ages 25 and up. We are avant-garde.
D: Tell me about the fall collection and what inspired the designs.
Ruffian: The American Romantic theme from spring led into fall with soft fabrics and deep colors, with European pre-war influences. We used lots of velvets and fur and long chains by David Yurman. Velvet round toe shoes by Christian Louboutin were created for the collection. For spring there will be more freshness and some denim in the collection, with crisp fabrics and round shapes.
D: Will there be more in the men’s collection for fall?
Ruffian: In the long term we want to do more. We have ties, shirts, and vests right now. We see our ties on a lot of red carpets. We will re-explore men’s next fall. It is all inspired by the women’s wear fabrics: brocades, shine, and texture.
D: What is the one piece from your collecion that all women from Dallas should own this fall?
Ruffian: The cocktail suit.
I for one would love to own the beautiful jersey dress that could be worn practically anywhere. The signature high ruffled collars look fabulous on the silk jacquard blouses, while coats with hoods will keep you ahead of the game when it comes to furs this fall. I highly recommend that fashionistas stop by Stanley Korshak to check out the French-American inspired line and meet the friendly designing duo the next time they visit Dallas, most likely for a trunk show for the spring 2007 collection.
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