Randi Rahm Launches Couture/Ink: An Inclusive Evolution At New York Fashion Week

New York, NY – Randi Rahm presented her latest Fall/WINTER Evolution Couture/INK for NYFW 2020 at the PUBLIC Arts space in the PUBLIC Hotel, 215 Chrystie Street, New York, NY, 10002.

Monday night looked like a Saturday at the Randi Rahm Couture/INK evolution, hosted in Ian Schrager’s cutting edge multipurpose PUBLIC Arts space at PUBLIC. All haute couture, part late night happening, and full party, Couture/Ink showcased Rahm’s unrivaled uptown elegance cloaked in the edgy allure of downtown.  The surprise couture standout of the evening was Rahm’s gender-inclusive amorphous designs and her menswear: elaborate diamond embellished tailored shirts, billowing skirts paired with silken floral baseball jackets, golden suits, and purple lined floor-length capes draped in chains and leather embellishments took center-stage at Couture/Ink.

Passing by the bar dressed in candelabras and ivy, the attendees were wowed by an opening presentation of tattoo design by Anthony Iannucci and starring Rachel Lindsay (ABC’s The Bachelorette). Rahm’s signature gowns, many inspired by the art of tattoo, dazzled party-goers in their sumptuous dark and gem tones that reflected the mood of the evening.

The surprise couture standout was Rahm’s menswear: diamond embellished tailored shirts, billowing amorphous skirts, golden suits, and purple lined floor-length capes draped in chains and leather embellishments took centerstage. The runway show featured talent of all ages, sizes, and gender identities- with special appearances from guest-artists from the New York City nightlife scene. From black work to beadwork, Couture/Ink celebrated breathtaking individuality and exacting artistry.

“My designs have always been for everyone,” Rahm explains. “It’s funny to be seen as a newcomer to a design genre I have already inhabited for so long,” she laughs. Rahm is referring to her more recent moment in the new-age menswear spotlight: when Billy Porter donned a floral, hand embellished Randi Rahm couture suit at the Golden Globes' 2019. The moment put Rahm’s (and Porter’s) daring takes on fluid couture looks on international display. Rahm’s Couture/Ink Evolution was a nightlife infused reflection of her genre (and gender) defying aesthetic: showcasing Rahm’s deft attention to detail in her menswear and crossover looks as well as the elaborate gowns she is known for.

“I consider my work part of a fashion evolution, not just in rotating ‘collections’,” has always been Rahm’s mantra. “People wear everything these days-in my world they always have-and I wanted this Evolution to be a reflection of that.”