Hanna Ruha

Hanna Ruha’s BA thesis collection, Bodily Antiquities, explores the intimate relationship between the body and clothing through the lens of late 19th- to early 20th-century women’s dress. The six looks are caricature-like studies of historical garment layers that examine the ways bodies were modified through clothing. Ruha’s fascination with historical clothing, rooted in childhood, is a crucial element of her design philosophy. Ruha draws on her personal style as a key source of inspiration, and her research for this collection is heavily based on her archive of antique garments. The six looks are Ruha’s personal interpretation of Victorian-era silhouettes and layered clothing, playing with what is visible and what is not. Emphasising careful craftsmanship, each garment is crafted in a meditative state, with the intent of perfecting each structure. The materials are mostly deadstock, focusing on natural fibres such as wool, silk, linen and cotton. In her process, the garment is always in the spotlight. Research based on garment analysis and the use of vintage clothes for draping summarises Ruha’s design process. "Even after the initial mock-ups and prototypes, the design process continues. Crafting the final garments is by far my favourite part of the process. Getting my hands on the final materials and the internal structures gives me a boost that leads me to further decisions. Allowing time and care in making a garment is crucial for me."