Making the Cut’s Sabato Russo creates designs that let a woman shine

Letting the beauty flow from within, fashion designer Sabato Russo brings a sense a simplicity and refinement to Making the Cut.

Fashionistas have been enthralled with Amazon Prime show, Making the Cut. Sabato Russo has captivated audiences with his refined elegance. While he might be the elder statesman of the Amazon Prime show, he has a sense of wisdom that seems to influence his designs. As these looks often float down the runway, the woman wearing the designs always shines.

With many years of experience, Sabato understands the image that he wants to convey. With a sense of timeless elegance, that understated refinement sometimes sets him apart from some of the younger designers on Making the Cut.

As seen in the collaboration episode, Sabato joined forces with Sander. Although there was an age gap between the two designers, they found a way to cut through the noise. Sabato was able to temper Sander’s exuberance and Sander was able to push Sabato in a new direction.

In their winning collab, the accessible look was the perfect balance of romantic, elegance and sophistication. As the skirt billowed down the runway, everyone woman wants to have that fashion moment.

After the collab episode aired, Culturess spoke with Sabato Russo about his Making the Cut experience. During the conversation, it was clear that Sabato has an emotional connection to design.

Based in Milan, Sabato entered this fashion competition after the loss of his mother. While he used her as inspiration for one of his looks, that emotional connection impacted much of his experience. For all of his designs, he is looking for inspiration all around him.

To find that inspiration for any look, he searches for an emotion. As he sees the world around him, he draws from those experiences. That connection is what drives him.

In an Instagram post, he said, “Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think and twice as beautiful as you’d ever imagined.” That idea seems to capture the woman who wears his looks. As she puts on a dress, the woman shines. She wears the dress, the dress never wears her.

Truthfully, Sabato admitted that he needed some strength in the Making the Cut competition. Before the competition started, he had to practice his sewing. That scenario has been a story line of the show. While the competition is not sewing focused, it is part of the competition.

Sabato mentioned that he is part of a team. For his brand, Sabato Russo, it is a collaborative effort. In some ways, the collab challenge was good for him. He shared that a team collaboration helps with flexibility. The ego is put aside and the design becomes the focus.

Looking at many of his looks outside of Making the Cut, there is an ideal that the woman who wears his looks is creating an image. While there might be simplicity in the design, the woman never loses herself. The best of her always shines.

Sabato has said, “Style is a simple way of saying complicated things.” His looks are never fussy or overstated. The old adage of less is more is very clear. The moment that is created while wearing these looks comes from the woman, not an embellishment.

As fashionistas continue to watch Making the Cut, Sabato’s words might be even more profound during the tumultuous times. “We think we listen, but very rarely do we listen with real understanding, true empathy. Yet listening, of this very special kind, is one of the most potent forces for change that we know.” Maybe it is time to listen not only to yourself but to others.

Sabato Russo is behind the brand Sabato Russo.

Making the Cut is an Amazon Prime show. New episodes air on Fridays.

What was your favorite Sabato look? Would you want one of his looks in your closet?