Raquel Leviss Explains the Ruffle Reunion Dress That Sent Social Media into a Tizzy

For the Vanderpump Rules Season 7 reunion (which premieres tonight at 9/8c!), Raquel Leviss "really wanted a statement dress that let them know who's boss" — and she delivered. When the rising model stepped out onto the reunion set, her outfit choice was one that no one saw coming. 

"I think Lisa [Vanderpump] had the best response," she recalled to The Lookbook. "She was just shocked and she asked me to do a little spin. She was like, 'Wow, now that's a dress.'"

For Raquel, it was love at first sight. From the moment she laid eyes on the Walter Collection lace and tulle minidress, she knew she had to have it: "I was on my search and I couldn't find the perfect dress until I actually walked [the runway] for [designer] Walter Mendez at L.A. Fashion Week and I saw this dress on another model. I swear I couldn't stop staring at her because [the dress] looked so beautiful on her... A week or two before the reunion, I asked Walter if I could borrow the dress for the reunion. Luckily, he said yes, and the rest is history."

Reunions can be tense (to say the least), and Raquel's eye-catching attire gave her the boost of confidence she needed. "Fashion makes me feel empowered," she shared. "[In that dress] I felt like I could really speak my mind and really stand out."

And while the internet was divided on the ruffle-sleeve number ("People are saying I looked like a feather duster... I think it's funny," she noted), Raquel's philosophy on fashion is this: "It's those statement pieces that really make an impact. If it's making you feel a certain way, then I feel like that's where fashion is really making a statement."

Plus, life is more fun when you keep people guessing! Or, as Raquel put it: "You know the saying, 'She looks good in a paper bag?' Well, why wear a paper bag to the reunion when you could wear a lace and tulle couture minidress?!"

Watch Vanderpump Rules Mondays at 9/8c.