Thrill of the Frill: Ruffles and Boho's Return

Photography DEBORA POTA
Styled by VALENTINA FINO

Take flight in a burst of ruffles this season, as wispy frill edgings and dramatic drapings define the most intentional statement pieces. But while ruffles are often enmeshed with notes of saccharine divinity, the spirit of these looks is less a soft romantic type akin to frolicking through a field of daffodils than 1970s-inspired chic with a rock and roll twang. Pieces are undoubtedly precious yet defiant in their execution. 

Bouncy hemlines, tender frills, buoyant shapes, and sinuous fabrics like cloudbursts of diaphanous silk and luxurious taffeta establish an all-embracing femininity and effortless elegance.  Designers rewrite the rules for ruffles by experimenting with impressive new styles, producing creations that take your breath away despite their airiness. For instance, billowing silhouettes are elevated by their ruffle-trimmed plunge fronts and tiered high-low hemlines to ensure unbridled movement and elegance. Choices will make you ascend to the highest heavens yet are grounded by their wearability, as the perfect is ingeniously leveled with the imperfect. Loose and gentle structures are married with bold techniques, speaking a new and unpredictable kind of sartorial language. Cinching, stretching, and cascading all seamlessly intertwine and uplift one another to create garments with both a graceful persuasion and an individualistic vibe. 

Throughout designs, sartorial wistfulness synchronizes with whispers of sensuality, adhering to an inviting neutral color scheme. Moschino achieves impressive billowing volumes with a front slit skirt with exaggerated ruches at the opening paired with a long sleeve blouse with a tiered ruffle that falls like a waterfall. Alberta Ferretti’s bohemian-inspired semi-sheer ruffled dress, crafted with silk mousseline, channels ethereal femininity with asymmetric cutting and relaxed tailoring. Del Core takes weightlessness in a different – and shorter – direction with a flirty strapless mini dress with lavish taffeta undulating at the bodice. Saint Laurent embraces sensual fluidity with its silky organza dress punctuated by a plunging v-neck.

Dior further eschews the bubblegum-like sheen of playing with ruffles by also incorporating a V-shaped decolletage in its unpolished, punk-inspired charcoal maxi dress with micro-explosions of gold ruffles along the seams. Valentino was more assertive in its use of ruffles with a dress with all the makings of bourgeoisie sensibilities; however, its optimistic polka dot print gave it a free-spirited attitude that made it the perfect everyday top. Lastly, Louis Vuitton engineers an impressive ruffle spectacle with a Spanish-influenced black asymmetric top with intricate lace bouquets descending down an attached cape, paired with fringe wedge booties. 

See ruffle-forward pieces that can take you straight from the office to the holiday soiree or vice versa. 

MODEL: Varvara Romanova SPECIAL MANAGEMENT CASTING: Simone Bart Rocchietti

HAIR: Alessia Bonotto BLEND MANAGEMENT MAKEUP: Alice Fayre BLEND MANAGEMENT MANICURE: Carlotta Saettone WM MANAGEMENT

SET DESIGN: Asia Calzà DIGITAL TECH: Erika Buzin LIGHTING ASSISTANTS: Gainandrea Murelli and Dario Albano