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Ruyenn Kwok
Ruyenn is from Australia where her father’s native Malaysian/Chinese roots helped her to form a diversified perspective on beauty from a young age.
“I think that I had a really hard time understanding my own femininity when I was young; I am 186cm and broad-shouldered and have always towered over my friends. I was odd, and I imagine intimidating, so I think I leant into being a tough girl because that’s where people put me, but I liked feminine things. I think drawing gowns and dresses was a way for me to explore and express that privately, while maintaining the tom-boy exterior that protected me.”
Student Project
CUT/FOLD
Ru designed a collection of ‘gladiator sandals’ inspired by Tod’s restoration of the Colosseum. So, in inspiration of this restoration, she went on to see how a series of paper experiments and long-standing techniques of cutting just one piece of leather (in her case, paper) could restore the image of gladiator sandal.
Mentorship
MENTOR: OLYA KURYSCHUK
Founder & Editor-in-Chief, 1 Granary
Background
“My heritage and just travel in general from a young age has enabled me to consider many different sensibilities when it comes to aesthetics. I also think that growing up in Australia affords us the unique vantage point of being a western country very close to Asia, so the influence of many different Asian cultures has impacted my life and perspective. We also have a much shallower history in terms of traditional dress and therefore perhaps are more broadly interested in the rest of the world. I have certainly found since moving to the UK that my British peers are much more concerned with British fashion and style than I can admit to being by Australian Fashion history.”
