Charo Ruiz Clothing Ibiza
Nestled in the heart of Ibiza, Charo Ruiz is a brand that may be an icon of Ibiza fashion, with its boho chic vibes, but is renowned as a fashion brand much further afield than Ibiza; available in the biggest fashion houses in the world such as Net-a-Porter and Revolve, which just goes to show how far they’ve come since their humble beginnings 30 years ago.
Charo Ruiz hasn’t left its small town roots behind after it started making clothes as a family run business back in 1989. The brand’s iconic Ibiza fashion is available in stores and boutiques across the Middle East, Russia, The Cote d’ Azur and the Caribbean, with the flagship store, of course, being in Ibiza.
Named after the founder herself, Charo’s mother and grandmother were dressmakers where she grew up in Seville, taking a keen interest in all things fabrics, patterns and craftsmanship.
After a career in modelling in Barcelona in the 1970s, Charo came to Ibiza, where she began to set up her workshop and showroom, spiralling on from the idea of Fashion Made In Ibiza. The business, although clearly flourishing and stocked by online retailers that most businesses (especially ones beginning as small, family run enterprises) can only dream of, is still run solely by Charo’s family. However, they now enlist the help of her daughter and son, Paloma and Pablo, who run the show.
The focus on natural fabrics and embroidery is prevalent throughout the Charo Ruiz lookbooks and stock, past, present and future; they are a brand big on femininity and freedom – two words I feel go hand in hand with Ibiza.
Lace, cotton, and embroidery are a key part of the iconic Charo Ruiz essence; after taking a walk around one of their stores, scrolling through their online stock, or perusing a lookbook, you will come to be able to identify a Charo Ruiz look because they encapsulate exactly what it means to be in Ibiza.
With the beautiful, winding stone steps of the Old Town that lead you all the way up to panoramic views looking out onto Ibiza Port, and stretching even further out over the coastline, you can envisage the sheer fabrics, florals, lace, and flowing cuts and hemlines. It’s Ibiza, or Eivissa, embodied.
The Spring/Summer 2018 collection, aptly named ‘’Slow Ride’’, is made up of kaftans, bodysuits, shorts, tops, blouses, long dresses, and so much more. It contains garments for every type of female in Ibiza; whether you’re there for the culture, the nightlife, or you’re a local resident who wants lightweight, easy-to-wear, but on trend pieces.
The key pieces I’m loving for SS18? Body Ulanova, a black, sheer panelled bodysuit with lime green patterns intertwined. It can be made into a casual daytime look, paired with black ripped denim shorts and gladiator sandals, with a sheer black shirt like the Bomber Legat thrown over the top if there’s a chill in the air (unlikely in the peak of Summer in Ibiza, but we like to be prepared). You can turn it into an instantly glamorous night time look, with a pleated metallic skirt and wedges.
Want to add some glam to a daytime look, perhaps for an event or pool party? Kimono Akila, a calf length beauty in its own right, white with cut out crochet panels. With a plain bikini underneath and statement jewellery, it’s an iconic Charo Ruiz look that will be sure to catch the eyes and attention of the fellow fashion conscious.
With bikinis in mind, my absolute favourite beachwear piece from the entire ‘’Slow Ride’’ collection has to be Kaftan Kayla. Black with lace and crochet detailing and a plunging neckline, it’s the perfect piece to throw on to go and grab lunch, but it’s also a piece you wouldn’t feel out of place in if lunch turned into sunset cocktails and a walk around Ibiza Port.
Charo Ruiz’s pieces are simple in terms of what they give; they are statement pieces that don’t need much added to them in terms of accessorising or additions. They speak for themselves, however the intricacy of the designs means that you notice something new about a piece each and every time you look at it.
The blouse you are wearing for dinner, you won’t have realised it had crochet detailing on the back; you wouldn’t have seen the tassel fringing of the kimono, or the up close specifics of the floral pattern on the flowing dress you’re wearing. Each and every item is well thought out and executed, and it harmonises perfectly with what Ibiza life is all about – slow or fast paced as you want it to be, natural, and flowing. Slow Ride is a collection that will be seen throughout Ibiza, and the world, this Spring and Summer. The iconic Charo Ruiz brand will be lending its hand to helping create a whole host of new memories for the floods of people descending on Ibiza this Summer; because a new dress really can play a part in helping shape a holiday.