DALLAS, Apr 14, 2004/ FW/ --- When the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) released the nominations for the 2004 CFDA Fashion Awards and I saw Ralph Rucci’s name among the nominees for Best Womenswear Designer of the Year, the first thought that came into my mind was “It’s about time! It’s a long time coming.”

Ralph Rucci is a designer’s designer, someone who came from the ranks and reach the top the old fashioned way – working hard. He had been designing both ready-to-wear and made-to-order clothing for over 20 years.

A true 7th Avenue success story, he literally climbed the ladder of success, experiencing a few pitfalls along the way. On the unemployment line one day, when he lost his job, and then top of the world the next day, when his Chado Ralph Rucci line became the darling of the fashion flock.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ralph Rucci received his Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Literature from Temple University before moving to New York, where he studied fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Throughout his career, he has participated in many aspects of the fashion industry, but designing is his true love, launching his own label in 1994.

Marrying philosophy and fashion, he named his eponymous label “Chado Ralph Rucci,” the term “chado” taken from the thousand-year old Japanese tea ceremony.

Practicing the essence of chado, which is respect, tranquility, grace and integrity, it also became his design philosophy. His collections represent these qualities he wished to evoke and explore through fashion.

It also became his management style, and the core values imparted to his talented staff in his atelier.

With that guiding principle, Ralph Rucci began to develop his signature style. Developing fabrics with luxury mills throughout Europe, either to create new fabrics or studying archives in order to revive historically important cloths, Ralph Rucci established a synergy between art and philosophy.

Producing prints from his own artwork, and drawing inspirations from Renaissance artists, Ralph Rucci’s looks became unique, yet evoked a certain familiarity. It was historical, yet very contemporary. It is modern, yet a chronicle of great art.

The Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, France’s fashion governing body, recognized Ralph Rucci’s dedication is creating original destined to be classic work, and invited him to show his first Haute Couture collection in 2002.

To be invited is an honor in itself. Membership at the Chamber Syndicale is not taken lightly. A designer has to be operating within a strict set of rules and parameters to be accepted. Corollary to that, an invitation is not given lightly either. The invitee should be within the strict set of rules also.

So, it is now a part of fashion history. Ralph Rucci is the first American to be included in the Paris Haute Couture calendar since Mainbocher.

His success in Europe is side-by-side with his success at home. His Spring 2004 collection, (now in stores), is nothing less than magnificent, with its positive aura of elegance and serenity.

His Fall 2004 collection, shown last February in New York follows the same line – luxurious elegance that is nowhere near hedonism. Graceful and tranquil, it is about a woman who is confident of whom she is.

As Ralph Rucci said in a statement, “In my workroom, as in my thoughts, there is little difference between couture and ready-to-wear. What I find most important is that we strive to create a product that is empowering, and works with the spiritual essence of a woman.”

These two collections, Spring 2004 and Fall 2004 are the basis of his nomination for Best Womenswear Designer of the Year.

As the criteria for the category said, “Womenswear Designer of the Year is awarded to an American designer who has made the most outstanding contribution to and has influenced the direction of women's ready-to-wear fashion with his or her Spring and Fall 2004 collections.”

Having seen both ready-to-wear collections being considered, the masterful cut, the intricate detailing and original tailoring are fashion innovations on their own right!

And somehow, I cannot think of a more deserving nominee for CFDA top honors other than Ralph Rucci.

Ralph Rucci

Ralph Rucci

Ralph Rucci

Ralph Rucci

Ralph Rucci

Ralph Rucci

Ralph Rucci