Interview with Carol Bassi and Maria Rudge
Uniting Styles: The new collection marking the partnership between Carol Bassi and Maria Rudge.
Two friends united by a great passion: fashion. Maria Rudge joins Carol Bassi to create an exclusive new clothing collection.
These two industry legends have joined forces to launch a new collection that promises to revolutionize the fashion world. Blending Carol Bassi’s unmistakable style with Maria Rudge’s timeless elegance, the collaboration brings new meaning to the concept of sophistication.
Diving into French inspirations, the collection drew on the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and the beautiful Parisian gardens.
The result is truly amazing, with timeless pieces starting with two dresses, “Brigite” and “Kate,” the former in black or pink and the latter also in hot pink. The “Sofia” jeans feature a skinny cut. The cotton pants “Elis,” the “Alexandra” cardigan, and the turtleneck top “Catarina” complete the collab, which has a must-have accessory: a chain belt with padlock and heart charms.
Check out the full interview!
LM: Where did the inspiration for the collab come from?
CB: Maria and I designed the collab especially for Mother’s Day. When thinking about the date and its deep significance, we couldn’t help but remember the Mother of all mothers, Our Lady. From this starting point, we decided to shoot the photos in Paris—a special place with enormous spiritual strength that inspired various romantic and magical elements in this launch.
MR: Whenever we come together for our collabs, we always align our styles, essences, and what motivates us. When we centered this Mother’s Day collab on Our Lady, all our ideas, desires, and values aligned perfectly. In fact, we chose Paris as the campaign location because it was at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal that the Virgin Mary appeared in 1830.
LM: What was the creative process like when creating the collection?
CB: First of all, we always consider Carol’s style and Maria’s style. That way, we always manage to convey our individualities and our affection for the project. Maria was present throughout every step, and it was her participation that made this collection so unique! She was by our side from the initial idea, through the choice of fabrics, colors, and prints, all the way to the final fitting. This process with Maria is always incredible.
MR: Carol knows that when I join a project, I do so wholeheartedly! From the first collab, I was very involved in the creative process, and this time was no different. There were months of meetings, conversations, and extensive research. When we decided to base everything on Our Lady, I had a lot of freedom to develop the color palette inspired by her—in shades of pink, blue, and white—to design the exclusive print—a one-of-a-kind floral representing Our Lady’s “Ave Maria”—and even to determine all the pieces and their cuts.
LM: What does this collab promise for the brand’s lovers?
CB: It’s an ideal collab for Mother’s Day, bringing lightness, romance, and plenty of timeless clothing! CB always values collections that speak to each other through classic pieces, high-quality fabrics, and exceptional tailoring. In this release, we presented exclusive prints, a wonderful tweed, and a knit with a brand-new stitch for the label.
MR: Besides offering beautiful pieces, the collab also tells a whole story that reflects this special date and our values. Although I’m a person who loves romantic pieces and have a well-defined style, this collection proposes a mix of pieces that can transform your look into whatever you want, from something romantic to something more edgy.
LM: If you had to choose one piece from the entire collection, which would it be?
CB: My favorite is the “Rosas Buquet” dress in a light blue shade. It’s gorgeous!
MR: Hard to pick just one! But I think I’d go with the baby pink tailoring set.
LM: What was the differentiator of this collection?
CB: Each collection has its own mood and inspirations. In this one, besides the timeless pieces, what really stands out are the exclusive prints we developed together!
MR: I agree with Carol! In my opinion, the prints are unique, delicate, and capture this special date perfectly. Additionally, this collection brought a whole meaningful Mother’s Day context, connecting with Our Lady.
LM: How was it working together again for your fourth collab?
CB: It’s always a privilege to work with Maria! Today we’re good friends and our families are, too. We took a trip to Paris, and I had the pleasure of having her entire family with me. It will stay in my memory!
MR: Carol is very special! I love the brand and everyone who is part of the team. Today I say that our relationship has gone beyond professional boundaries because we are great friends. This fourth collab was very emotional because we were in Paris with my family, working but also sharing unique and special moments.
LM: What fabrics and prints are used in this collection? What is its theme?
CB and Maria: Reflecting lightness and romance, the collection features various tailored sets, crepe, tweed, and knit. We also have two styles of jeans—a CB trademark—with a never-before-seen wash. The floral print—which we call “bouquet”—was developed exclusively. The leopard print also makes an appearance in this launch, reaffirming its timelessness.
LM: What restaurant recommendation would you give to someone going to Paris for the first time?
CB: I’m in love with L’Avenue! For me, it’s a must and can’t go wrong.
MR: I loved discovering L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Saint-Germain. For anyone wanting to experience French gastronomy, it is divine!
