LONDON — Ibizan resortwear brand Charo Ruiz has released its first collection for fall, dedicated to those who may not live in eternally sunny climates.
“We tried to respect and to keep the brand’s codes,” said Alberto Amador, the brand’s fashion director, explaining that the collection uses lace, 3D pattern panels and embroidered detailing to stay true to the label’s summer-loving DNA.
“All the shapes are very similar, and the volumes, but they’re more tailored because the fabric is thicker,” he added.
Instead cotton and sustainable nettle-based textiles, which require less water to grow and aren’t sprayed with pesticides, are used. The collection also utilizes upcycled materials, seen across the assortment of body-con tops, bottoms, jumpsuits and dresses made of upcycled offcuts and trimmings of layered, lacy mesh.
Describing the label’s main consumers as American, English and northern European, Amador said the new collection’s reception has been very positive. “It’s doing very well. People are really appreciating the concept, the new styles and the new vision.”
Stocked at Frwd, Revolve, Net-a-porter, Intermix and Browns, Amador estimates that around 5,000 units have been bought by retailers. Charo Ruiz pricing starts at 100 pounds and goes up to 910 pounds on Net-a-porter.
“For us, that’s very good,” due to the label mainly selling resortwear, he explained.
“It’s a challenge to go into a market where other brands are very strong, so it was a good kickoff for us.”
Charo Ruiz, the daughter and granddaughter of dressmakers, grew up in Seville among fabrics and patterns. She began her career as a model in Barcelona during the late ’70s and eventually settled in Ibiza to start her own collection, which launched in 1989.
Geared to the girl with a Mediterranean vibe, the collection highlights artists and uses different prints. Her son and daughter, Pablo and Paloma, run the company, which is still based in Ibiza.