The first full-scale study of one of America's greatest contemporary fashion designers Working quietly and without much public attention for more than 20 years, American fashion designer Ralph Rucci suddenly became a headline topic in 2002, when he was invited to show his collection at the haute couture in Paris--the first American to receive such an invitation since Mainbocher in the 1930s. This sumptuously illustrated book is the first to explore in depth Rucci's life and work, including the inspirations behind the extraordinarily beautiful and very expensive clothes he creates. >Published in association with The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology Exhibition Schedule: The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York (January - May 2007)