by Kristel Liakou
We met the Austrian Rebekka Ruétz back in 2008 when she won the “Congos Relevance Award”. She really tickled our fancy with her collection which established her as “The Best Newcomer” young designer by STEFFL” in 2013.
Ruétz is known for her theatrical style and the extreme and remarkable creations using simple construction. As for the Autumn/Winter collection “Riots Daughter”, which we recently saw in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin, she played it safe by following her path. Staying in her comfort zone, she kept doing what she does best -combining efficiently exceptional materials. This collection is focused on maximalism, while having a trippy flair. There is definitely a psychedelic character combined with a fetish vibe. The world of the “Riots Daughter” is hypnotic and wild –great for women of all ages, boys and those in between.
Whilst the trippy, illusionistic world may ring a bell for a 1960s vibe, Ruétz actually turns her back on naturalism and instead, she celebrates the fantastical and the surreal, using over-exposed bright and bold colours (shell-pink, red, glowing metallic blue, cyber yellow, black and white). Tacky sports pieces are embroidered with giant motifs, while fake fur pieces and bold knits go massive. Floppy shirts, shinny dresses with waterfalls frills, full of optical effects are only some main parts from the collection, which ring the bell for the upcoming trends.
