A sense of adventure isn’t exactly what comes to mind when thinking of Alessandra Rich’s style. You don’t picture fearless explorations of faraway outdoors, or attending events like Coachella, wearing one of her high-style red carpet numbers or one of her prim, pussy-bowed shirt dresses that Kate Middleton favors. But life can be unpredictable, and for resort Rich took an unexpected turn towards the wild side.
“I wanted something more free, stronger, with a warmer feel,” she explained. In Rich’s lexicon, “warm” is obviously an understatement: “hot” would be a more appropriate way of describing her take on resort. Shot in an exotic-looking location of red earth dunes and sparse vegetation, the collection exuded abundant sensuality and a let your hair down vibe which wasn’t exactly Duchess-of-Cambridge-demure. What Rich offered instead were plenty of sexy, racy party options that would look appropriate at Glastonbury, but certainly wouldn’t be suitable for any of the recent royal extravaganzas celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in London.
Low-waisted ultra-mini miniskirts, saucy hot pants studded with hot fixes, frilly cropped tops and bralettes baring the midriff were on the menu, together with flowy, ruffled dresses as sheer as a morning haze at Burning Man, cut asymmetrical and trimmed with fluffy plumage. Bikinis and cut-out bodysuits sparkling with sequins, leggings/soft corset combos knitted with psychedelic swirls of butterflies, and motifs of flames intarsia-ed on roomy, cool leather cargos would also fit nicely into the suitcases of Rich’s posse of party animals. “My girls like a good time,” she purred.
More glamorous, dramatic red carpet options were not forgotten. A long, sleek black velvet gown with a vertiginous plunging neckline exuded a mermaid-like allure, while a tailored tuxedo worn with low-rise bellbottoms in see-through black lace looked sassy and rather cool. That post-pandemic party mood is back in force; from the mud of Glastonbury and outdoor raves to the opulent gilded salons of British castles, Alessandra Rich will have every party option covered.
