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The inherent logic of things themselves might not seem fascinating
initially. It's only when we view them from our own perspective that they
become intriguing. However, what we discover may not truly be ‘order’;
instead, it could be a reflection of our subjective understanding. We
could call this 'vitality.'
A year ago, during the brand's first visit to Paris, the brand
talked about the concept of tranquility taking time to create, like
crafting a pair of eyes over thirty days or refining a piece of fabric
across three seasons, with one aspect being resolute and the other exuding
warmth. Embracing the passage of time has always been the brand's constant
theme because only time's limitless extension can broaden the confines of
this enclosed dimension. In the blink of an eye, a whole year has passed,
and this collection marks Ruohan's third collection at Paris Fashion Week.
Everything seems to have progressed as planned.
Amidst the retrospective disorder, they are gradually uncovering the inner logic and structure that belong to Ruohan. Much like how their perception of the world's composition is built from point-form lines, and lines form shapes, which then evolve into three-dimensional entities. The aim is to fold these elements into three collections, using a reverse logic to create an extensive narrative that fuses ideals and reality. "The landscape before seeing a landscape painting and the landscape after seeing one are two different worlds." If, someday, viewers of Ruohan can approach their clothing in a way similar to touring a Chinese landscape painting, then perhaps the garments will naturally possess a sense of duration, unfolding sequentially across different times and spaces. The proportional perspective could be secondary; the focus should be on the continuity of imagery.
Amidst the retrospective disorder, they are gradually uncovering the inner logic and structure that belong to Ruohan. Much like how their perception of the world's composition is built from point-form lines, and lines form shapes, which then evolve into three-dimensional entities. The aim is to fold these elements into three collections, using a reverse logic to create an extensive narrative that fuses ideals and reality. "The landscape before seeing a landscape painting and the landscape after seeing one are two different worlds." If, someday, viewers of Ruohan can approach their clothing in a way similar to touring a Chinese landscape painting, then perhaps the garments will naturally possess a sense of duration, unfolding sequentially across different times and spaces. The proportional perspective could be secondary; the focus should be on the continuity of imagery.
In March, the Autumn/Winter series explored the fundamental forms of
clothing, discovering a subjective square-shaped form in the intangible
origins. In September, the brand simplified surfaces into lines, aiming to
uncover connections within the framework, system, and hidden structures.
This marks the second chapter in the brand's collection disorderly
narrative, gradually transitioning towards rationality. It's also an
exploration of Ruohan Nie's linear perception of this vast world within
her cultural context, which could be called a perspective of connectivity.
Within surfaces, lines, and points, lines are the most liberated, lacking
a clear beginning or end yet capable of connecting points and surfaces in
various dimensions. Just like a writer leaving marks on paper or a
traveler leaving footprints on the ground, truly witnessing the existence
of these living lines requires a combination of sensibility and reason,
continuous movements, and constant observations.
“The interplay of reason and sensibility exists in Ruohan's
Spring/Summer '24 collection, which uses six linear languages to
connect from surfaces to points, from March 2023 to March 2024. The
twilight misty blue, the glimmers of gold and silver on rippling
waves, these are the colors we capture from the river beside our Shanghai
office every evening. These colors inject vitality into our linear
lives. We use clothing as a soft brush and fabric as the texture inside
the brushstrokes, exploring fine details and abstractions".
"Lines can transform into simple cuts that change how functionality is
perceived, representing gravity, transformational integrity, and
strength. By folding fabric, we create new forms, born from the skeletal
structure of lines. Disjointed connection points and cuts where
continuity should be, it's like breaking down a wall in a dim room and
installing a window to let in the light. There's no need for regularity
or specific points of existence. Fabric passes through these cuts,
forming knots that create flowing but elusive lines when worn—lines that
cannot be measured within the framework of dimensions. The scattered
lines within the structure become wide pleats, where the existence of
lines seems to lose its meaning, turning into a blank canvas that
paradoxically allows us to see what lies beneath. Disorder within the
structure, like each breath, a gust of wind passing through, it exists
both necessarily and inevitably, without the need for measurement or
constant attention." - Ruohan Nie
About the brand:
Ruohan is a contemporary womenswear brand established in March 2021.
Focusing on exceptional fabrics, impeccable details, and precise
tailoring, the brand would like to pursue a timeless wardrobe with
effortless spirit. Inspired by travel, art, and all forms of design, the
brand embodies the style of modern minimalism and chooses to focus on a
neutral color palette. Graduated from Parsons School of Design, Ruohan Nie
founded her eponymous brand in 2021, known for its minimalist, timeless
compositions, and the craftsmanship of materials. At SHFW SS22: the 2021
Lane Crawford x Labelhood Scholarship and the Lab Showroom Commercial
Performance Award.
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