Barbara de Ru was educated at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute, where she graduated with honours in 2003. With this graduation collection she won the prestigious Dutch Robijn Fashion Award. As a result, her clothing was manufactured by and sold (out) at the Bijenkorf department stores across the country. In 2004 she obtained the Master’s degree at the Fashion Institute Arnhem. This collection was shown -and noticed- on the Paris Fashion Week and the Amsterdam Fashion Week.
In the years that followed Barbara de Ru worked for several Dutch brands, such as Cool Cat, G-star and Kuyichi. These projects helped her to develop the inevitable commercial skills, they entailed lots of required practice in retail-design and she was acquainted with the exciting world of sustainable production.
BIRTH OF THE LABEL
In 2009 she launches her long-anticipated own label ‘BARBARA DE RU’. Barely four months later, the first collection is presented in a critically-acclaimed presentation in Amsterdam (January, 2009). The Barbara de Ru label can be recognized by its details, artisan crafts and a perfect fit. Inspired by antique techniques from the middle ages, renaissance and folklore. These techniques were originally created for function and form and are now used in new and innovative ways. Sustainability is pursued, not only in fabrics but also in the ambition to make timeless fashion. All garments are designed to last, to make you keep and wear it for a lifetime.
“My collection is full of items you want to cherish. They are standards that make your wardrobe complete. Take the omnipresent cape: a very pure, ideal fitting design, available in various materials. Each material, however, creates its own form and figure, which transforms the same piece again and again.”
PROGRESS AND PLANS
Several openings and galleries later, among which a pop-up gallery in the Belgian coastal town Knokke, Barbara de Ru opened her exclusive e-boutique, where the entire collection can be purchased online. There will be several new collections per year. Collecting authentic designer wear has never been easier. This grand e-event will shortly be followed by the opening of her first street boutique in Amsterdam, close to the Oosterpark.