Italian designer Jemma Russo grew up in Florence, Italy in the fashion industry. In her case, literally surrounded by the industry itself as her family owned a garment factory. Her debut at New York Fashion Week during the Global Fashion Collective’s group runway showcase seemed like it was not a matter of “if” but rather “when”. If the response she received from the audience of adoring fans, influencers, & media is any indication, her future as the designer face of the family business is indeed a bright one.
Russo chose to source her collection with ethics in mind as her collection was fabricated almost exclusively of ethically sourced & produced silk fabrics & genuine Italian leather. She set out to showcase that a more ethical mode of running a fashion business is not only possible, but can be done while maintaining the highest standards in material quality. Russo was adamant that her brand would not only be solidly grounded in preserving the environment, but would be equally dedicated to preserving traditional craftsmanship while pushing the boundaries of modern design.
The collection began dark & introspective, almost monastic in tone with the dominant color being Black, before exploding midway into a veritable cornucopia of bright, exuberant color that seemed to build one upon the other with Red, Fuchsia, Burnished Olive & Amethyst, with a Silver Lame thrown in here & there for good measure. Each color, however, was not clear & obvious in tone, rather Russo’s palette was chock full of dark, mysterious shades, creating an air of mystery. The showstopper, however, was not a color, but rather a print… an oversized Leopard printed full maxi dress that was just slouchy enough to allow it to pass a daywear, but certainly elevated enough to allow it a place on a red carpet at any given evening event.
Jemma Russo is a talent for sure. But in this day & age, talent enough, sadly, isn’t enough to find commercial success. Russo, however, seems to have tapped into a vibe with this collection. Vibes can create movements & movements can lead to commercial success. We firmly believe that this is a label to watch.
-Vivian Kelly ( @thefashionhistorian )
Designer Website: www. jemma-russo.com
