Nouka Rous

On Hallowed Tides

Nouka Rous is an independent designer based in The Hague, creating sculptural fashion with a narrative. Their designs start as drapes, sculpting around and reshaping the body. The work creates contrasts between concept and tactility, such as restriction within transparency. Wishing to contribute to a more sustainable fashion industry, both through the use of materials and their approach to the work, most pieces are sewn by hand and made from deadstock fabrics and antique components. This is slow fashion: one-off, handcrafted pieces for an audience who values fashion as a political and performative art form, not just for its consumptive wearability.

This performance explores intentionality within stillness, a pause in our fast-paced, overstimulating and hyper-consumptive daily lives. ‘On Hallowed Tides’ presents a Ritual, a distorted procession made up of meditative gestures and solemn interactions where tactility is part of the story. The garments range from structural, enveloping shells to fragile and flowing; some invite certain movements or capture them in time, while others restrict. Rous invites viewers to experience the quiet tension in this intimate piece, with a soundscape by Mvd0ae.