They said/We said: Chado Ralph Rucci cancels NYFW runway show

Date February 2, 2012

First Phoebe Philo, now Ralph Rucci. Luxury line Chado Ralph Rucci announced today that it is cancelling its upcoming Fall 2012 runway show, and opting for more intimate showroom appointments instead.

The designer (who you may remember from his diva-esque cameo on Kell on Earth) was set to show on February 12, during the same time slot as Tommy Hilfiger (an undeniable NYFW staple). Of course, this has people questioning whether the Rucci camp moved the show to avoid press and buyer competition with Hilfiger.

Of course Rucci’s sister, Rosina Rucci, shot down all those rumours, telling WWD, “Tommy’s audience is decidedly not ours.”

Others are speculating that this is all about finances, citing Ungaro’s recent decision to cancel its Pre-Fall and Fall shows. But given that Ungaro also sent models with heart-shaped nipple pasties down the runway at the behest of Lindsay Lohan, we find it hard to compare the two.

We hope this isn’t a sign of difficulties (monetary or otherwise) in the Rucci camp. Whatever the reason may be, we just hope we can see snaps of the collection online. We love us some American couture.

THEY SAID:

Huffington Post: “Well, at least we know he’s not pregnant.” [Huffington Post]

Stylite: “Though we’re not one to mourn the loss of anything off the exceptionally crowded fashion week calendar, a cancelled show is never a good thing.” [Styleite]

WE SAID:

Bernadette Morra, editor-in-chief: “This news is giving me a flashback to Geoffrey Beene, who in his later years abandoned the NY runway and began inviting a select group to view and discuss his clothes with himself as the guide. Both he and Rucci are the type of designers whose work deserves close inspection in order to appreciate the level of craft and artistry. Good for Ralph. And his sister is right: Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Rucci = apples and oranges.