ELIE TAHARI (New York) Ruched Dress

When positioned properly, ruching can do wonders at disguising your less-than-perfect areas while emphasising where you are smallest. This Elie Tahari ruched number gives a bit of extra shape and flair to an otherwise simple design, while minimising extra bulks.
You’ll appreciate the bra-friendly shoulder straps, too.
Keep your look gracefully simple with upswept hair and dropped earrings, and finish with nude, metallic, or a bold-coloured heel.
(RRP US$298)

ALICE BY TEMPERLEY (London) Ruched Silk Dress

Royal College of Art and Central St Martins alumnus Alice Temperley took her place among fashion’s powerhouses when she launched her namesake label in 2000. The Temperley London collection has since developed a strong reputation for its focus on exquisite fabrics and intricate hand-finishes, with style-setters regularly walking the red carpet in eye-catching Temperley creations.
In 2010, following up on the success of her pret-a-porter line (which now has flagships in New York, London and Los Angeles), the designer introduced ‘ALICE by Temperley’, a delightfully flirtatious bridge line aimed at the younger demographic.

Featuring a coy cowl neck and ruching detail, this little number from ALICE by Temperley will add a subtle shimmer to your after-dark look. Simply add killer heels for the perfect pairing!
Made of hammered silk, with a pebbled texture that reflects light beautifully.
(RRP £245 / US$395)


Alice Temperley is riding a serious wave of worldwide popularity right now - thanks in part to the loyalty of two rather well-known British sisters we know as Kate and Pippa Middleton.
(Top to bottom, left to right) The Duchess of Cambridge in Calgary, Canada for the annual Stampede parade (July 2011 North American Tour); the Duchess putting in an appearance at the 2011 Wimbledon; the Duchess attending the Thursford Christmas Spectacular charity event in England; Pippa Middleton wowing the world in an emerald green Temperley London gown as she heads to the royal wedding reception.

Ms. Temperley, at Buckingham Palace back in March this year, showing off her MBE medal awarded by Queen Elizabeth II for her services to fashion.

CATHERINE MALANDRINO Ruching Dress

All this year, we've been seeing the ruched trend everywhere: on clothing, bags, shoes… even hijabs!
A labour-intensive sewing technique, ruching means slight folds of gathered fabric. Aside from adding a divalicious flair, strategic ruching creates a faux flat surface & thus serves an awesome purpose -- that of camouflaging any unevenness in your figure. At the same time, ruching helps to mimic a cinching effect; the smallest waist looks tinier, the bigger ones look slimmer. Case in point: this Catherine Malandrino dress with expertly-placed ruching avoids the clingy factor & lets you wear a figure-hugging design confidently while masking any problem areas. It’s perfect -- eat all you want on a date!
Choose use-all-the-time classic black, or make a statement with bright fuchsia (a.k.a. the hottest shade on the party circuit this year!).