Constantin Rusp - Hochschule Pforzheim
POINT 0 – Hochschule Pforzheim
The Bachelor collection “POINT 0 “ is an analytical design research endeavor that redefines the relationship between fashion’s past and its future. The project examines iconic garments whose enduring relevance, archetypal qualities, and cultural resonance have fundamentally shaped the modern fashion system over time. Rather than pursuing superficial novelty, the collection looks backward to look forward, offering a thoughtful and hopeful vision for contemporary dress.
The design methodology began by analytically reducing the icons to their absolute archetypal core, deliberately stripping away variable, trend-driven details to highlight their most recognizable essence. From this defined “point zero”, the garments were subjected to calculated processes of transformation and transgression, allowing for typological shifts into entirely different forms of clothing. Through this conceptual evolution, a single icon successfully expands into a series of diverse garments.
Rather than pursuing radical formal novelty, “POINT 0” investigates innovation at the level of construction, materiality, and structural detail. The result is a series of timeless staple pieces that retain their iconic recognizability while expressing a distinct design authorship.
Aimed at identifying forward-thinking solutions to systemic industry problems, the project creates fashion that is not only aesthetically timeless but also with a commitment to emotional and physical sustainability. The garments of this collection are engineered for circularity, utilizing deadstock materials and mono-fibers. Through the targeted refinement of existing typologies, “POINT 0” offers a deeply intentional, sustainable methodology that reshapes contemporary wardrobe essentials.
“How can we, as designers, make fashion a space where people feel safe and seen, a place that is professional yet fun, and where people have hope for the future we all share?”
As a designer, I see fashion not merely as aesthetics; it is a method of future-thinking that drives innovation and invites new possibilities. I constantly challenge conventional methods and visual norms by developing my own distinct approaches through intellectual concepts, bold silhouettes, and rigorous material exploration. My work lives at the intersection of aesthetic sensitivity and contextual storytelling.
This creative lens has been deeply shaped by my global journey. A semester abroad in Nagoya, Japan allowed me to acquire diverse techniques in garment construction and design. Later, an internship at the Copenhagen-based brand Remain Birger Christensen solidified my love for womenswear and tailoring.
Graduating from Pforzheim University and presenting my work at the Neo.Fashion. during Berlin Fashion Week marks a key milestone in my career. Moving forward, I am excited to further refine my skills and expand my design knowledge as I begin my Master’s degree in Fashion at Aalto University, Finland, continuing to push for an industry rooted in joy and mindfulness.
Fotocredit: Aaron Yüksel