Fragile Strength: The Intimate World of RUI
Origins and Founding
RUI was founded in 2019 by Chinese designer Rui Zhou. After completing her BA at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Zhou pursued an MFA at Parsons School of Design in New York. Her academic journey, combined with her personal experiences, led to the creation of a brand that explores the delicate balance between vulnerability and resilience.
Ownership and Leadership
Rui Zhou remains the sole founder and creative director of RUI. Operating between Shanghai and New York, she maintains full control over the brand’s vision and direction, ensuring that each collection reflects her unique perspective on the interplay between the body and clothing.
Aesthetic and Design Language
RUI’s aesthetic is characterized by its exploration of imperfection and the spaces between skin and fabric. Drawing inspiration from the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, the brand embraces asymmetry, irregularity, and the beauty found in the unfinished. Signature elements include delicate knitwear, strategic cut-outs, and designs that blur the lines between lingerie and outerwear, creating pieces that act as a second skin.
Notable Pieces
- Cut-Out Bodysuits – Form-fitting designs with intricate openings that highlight the body’s contours.
- Mesh Tops – Lightweight garments that play with transparency and layering.
- Intarsia Knitwear – Sweaters and tops featuring abstract patterns and textures.
- Sheer Dresses – Flowing silhouettes that combine softness with structural elements.
- Laddered Leggings – Bottoms with intentional runs and holes, emphasizing the brand’s embrace of imperfection.
Famous Fans
- Dua Lipa
- Solange Knowles
- Lisa (BLACKPINK)
- Madison Beer
- Hyuna
The Future
RUI continues to challenge conventional notions of beauty and fashion by celebrating the nuances of the human form.With a growing international presence and recognition from industry leaders, the brand is poised to further its exploration of identity, intimacy, and the art of imperfection in contemporary design.
