Bally High
ELLE US|February 2023
The brand's new creative director, Rhuigi Villaseñor, is redefining the luxury landscape.
NAOMI ROUGEAU
Bally High

I’m going to have to find a new spot,” jokes Bally creative director Rhuigi Villaseñor, from what had seemed like a low-key corner of the lobby of New York’s Mercer hotel. During the course of the hour I spend with the newly appointed designer, six eagle-eyed fans and acquaintances (many of them donning Villaseñor’s own label, Rhude) politely cut in simply to shake his hand. Since founding Rhude in 2015, Villaseñor has won an impressive following that runs the gamut from rapper Future to actress Diane Keaton—who was once bold enough to ask for a jacket off his back. This season, with his debut collection for the 172-year-old Swiss fashion house, that fan base is about to get even bigger.

In a celeb-packed Milan venue in September, Villaseñor presented his own idea of luxury, informed by his unique life experience. It had been 20 years since Bally had last staged a runway show—and also 20 years, nearly to the day, since an 11-year-old Villaseñor had arrived in Southern California with his family, seeking refuge from a brewing civil war in the Philippines. In the audience, alongside Laura Harrier and Luka Sabbat, was Villaseñor’s mother, herself a tailor who once made all the family’s clothes.

This story is from the February 2023 edition of ELLE US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the February 2023 edition of ELLE US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM ELLE USView All
It's Quiet.It's Demure.It's the New Plastic Surgery.
ELLE US

It's Quiet.It's Demure.It's the New Plastic Surgery.

The Undetectable Era” is here.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 2025
HIDDEN PARADISE
ELLE US

HIDDEN PARADISE

A quiet area in Uruguay, filled with extraordinary art, is South America's destination of the moment.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 2025
The Jewel of LIGHT
ELLE US

The Jewel of LIGHT

OUR LATEST JEWELRY CRUSH IS THE NEW Ice Cube Collection FROM THE MAISON CHOPARD. WITH ITS PURE LINES, IT HAS STYLE AND JOIE DE VIVRE, ESPECIALLY WHEN WORN STACKED. WE EXPLAIN WHY THESE PIECES ARE QUITE SIMPLY A MUST-HAVE.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 2025
ROBERT PATTINSON
ELLE US

ROBERT PATTINSON

We caught the newish father in a rare free moment: He's shooting a movie with Zendaya, headlining a fragrance campaign for Dior Homme, and appearing in theaters this spring in the buzzy sci-fi comedy Vickey 7.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 2025
Starring Lady Gaga as Herself
ELLE US

Starring Lady Gaga as Herself

Her new album, Vavhem, channels pure musical chaos. But at home with fiancée Michael Polansky, Mother JMonsterhas found a new sense of calm and normalcy.

time-read
10 mins  |
February 2025
Willy Chavarria's Américan Dream
ELLE US

Willy Chavarria's Américan Dream

With a standout spring collection, the designer pays loving tribute to his community.

time-read
3 mins  |
February 2025
Rebecca Yarros's Fantasy Life
ELLE US

Rebecca Yarros's Fantasy Life

The romantasy sensation spent years toiling in the literary trenches before finding fame. She's still adjusting to everything that entails.

time-read
8 mins  |
February 2025
Mikey MADISON
ELLE US

Mikey MADISON

With her breakout role as a sex worker, the Anora stay learned much more than how to dance.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024 - January 2025
What a Trip DREWSTARKEY
ELLE US

What a Trip DREWSTARKEY

Along with his capital-Pperformance as bad guy Rafe in Outer Banks, Drew Starkey has scored his big movie break. He tells us about his buzzy role in Queer, based on the William S. Burroughs novel.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2024 - January 2025
Demi MOORE
ELLE US

Demi MOORE

The Substance star has reached a State of enlightenment.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2024 - January 2025