The designer of almost every 'Bachelorette' dress explains why they're more revealing than they used to be
- Style on "The Bachelorette" has evolved massively since the first season aired in 2003.
- Randi Rahm, the couture designer behind almost every night one gown, said it's become "more daring."
While much has been made about contestants on "The Bachelorette" always wearing sparkly gowns season after season, the designer behind almost every night-one dress said style on the dating show continues to push boundaries as the years go on.
Randi Rahm is a New York-based couture designer and artist who told Insider her gowns have featured on the show since "The Bachelor" spin-off first aired in 2003.
From Michelle Young's soft-lime metallic first-night gown to Becca Kufrin's ivory white halter neck night-one number, Rahm's craft has been on-screen for some of the biggest nights in Bachelor Nation history. More recently, she designed the sparkly dresses worn by season 19 bachelorettes Rachel Recchia and Gabby Windey in the premiere episode.
As a "Bachelorette" style veteran, Rahm said a lot has changed since the early days — and for good reason. "It evolves as we will evolve," she told Insider. "I think 'The Bachelor' evolved in the same way that fashion did."
"Society's evolving. It's very different. What's acceptable now is different than what's then," Rahm said. While she said ABC, the broadcasting network show is aired on, has certain limitations in place when it comes to how revealing outfits can be, she says there's definitely been more flexibility in recent years.
"It's mainstream television. It's not HBO or Showtime. There is some limitations, but I think it's become a little bit more daring," Rahm said.
One of the ways she could see the show push the boundaries is by having a bachelorette wear a jumpsuit, rather than the traditional evening gown, she said.
"I think the producers like the very glamorous gowns," she said. "It's usually silver or white."
"But I always push the envelope with my clients," Rahm said, adding it would be "really cool" to see a lead wear a sparkly jumpsuit. "I have some unbelievable formal jumpsuits that would be spectacular."
Ultimately, she said "The Bachelorette" is trying to keep up with the times while remaining a classic, which is why some style choices on the show continue to make an appearance, such as the sparkles.
Rahm is a couture designer, which she said means she creates pieces of clothing that don't go out of style. Pieces she designs can cost up to $2.5 million and take up to a year to hand-make, she said.
"Couture should be timeless," Rahm said.
"The art, or the couture part of it, for me, each one is basically one of a kind," she added. "My pieces don't go in or out of style."