Helene Nusch - Hochschule Niederrhein
Die Stärke in Zartheit – Hochschule Niederrhein
This bachelor’s thesis explores the history of women’s roles and the negative stereotypes often attributed to the female gender. It examines supposedly feminine character traits such as delicacy, sensitivity, emotionality, and a lack of autonomy, and provides a historical explanation of where these prejudices originate. The aim of the bachelor’s thesis is to demonstrate that a woman can be feminine and at the same time strong, a leader, and dominant. To symbolically illustrate this, cacti were chosen, which produce delicate flowers while surviving in extreme weather conditions. These are used to create a fashion collection that depicts the evolution of the role of women through storytelling. From fragile beauty, to the bride, the breaking of expectations, the fighter, and the independent woman. The thesis examines the position of women in society and how this manifests in women’s clothing in the present and past. It also explores feminism and conservatism and their current evolution, as well as the cactus flowers that served as inspiration. In addition to the aesthetic qualities of the flowers, the collection explores the defensive strategies of both plants and humans. Historically significant garments such as the corset, women’s trousers, and the hoop skirt were incorporated into the collection to highlight their social significance.
The collection aims to highlight how the role of women has evolved and must continue to evolve. It also incorporates the concept of sustainability, both through production suggestions and through the metaphorical use of plants.
Fashion and creative work have always been ways for me to express myself and tell stories. For me, fashion should not only be aesthetically pleasing, but also serve as a tool to reflect our society, observe its developments, and critically examine it. I particularly enjoy experimenting with different materials, color theories, and sculptural cuts. My in-depth exploration of historical clothing and its cultural contexts, as well as the use of unconventional materials like wire, result in innovative, expressive silhouettes in my work. I find a great deal of my inspiration in nature and its diverse forms, structures, and creations. I use these impressions to translate the feelings and moods evoked by nature into fashion, while at the same time emphasizing the importance of sustainability.
Foto: Tarik Cosar @taricosar, Sarah Kundmüller @saraah.269
Models: Emily Zielkens @_e.m_y, Elise Ruelle @elise.ruee, Serafina Malala @serafinamalala, Clara Weinrauch @claraweinrauch, Fatima Taih @fatimataih