Evening dress Detail of front of evening dress

After twenty years of working "below the radar" of the fashion press, Ralph Rucci began to receive attention in 2002, when he became the first American since Mainbocher to be invited to show at the Paris haute couture. The dress features a stand-away back that references the way an obi sashes a kimono. Rucci's choice of amethyst as the color for this dress works brilliantly, as it brings out the jewel-like richness of the duchesse silk satin.