Couture Kings Fall: From Royal Ties to Ruin

The rise and dramatic fall of luxury fashion house Ralph & Russo is a tale of royal glamour, celebrity endorsement, and ultimately, financial ruin. Initially propelled to global fame after Meghan Markle wore their daring engagement gown, the London-based atelier quickly became synonymous with haute couture. The brand's founders, Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo, were lauded as "cool kids of couture," attracting prestigious clients and securing significant investment.

However, the fairytale soured significantly. Just four years after reaching peak visibility, Ralph & Russo was placed into administration. This was preceded by a bitter legal dispute between the co-founders. Accusations surfaced of millions of pounds being plundered from the company to fund personal expenses, leading to a substantial lawsuit against Tamara Ralph.

Tamara Ralph has since re-emerged as a solo designer, dressing stars like Jennifer Lopez and Amal Clooney. Michael Russo is believed to have relocated to Dubai. The spectacular collapse of Ralph & Russo, once a symbol of luxury and royal favor, serves as a stark cautionary tale about the precariousness of high fashion and fraught business partnerships.