Christian Ruess: Rebirth In Reverse
Artist Caroline Mackintosh
Words Tom Czibolya
There is creativity and then there is African creativity. We started our journey into South African fashion not only because we loved Cape Town’s designers and their wonderful creations, but because we got mesmerized by the seemingly inexhaustible flow of inspiration and ideas that define their work.
One of our favorite South African designers, Lezanne Viviers said it best when talking to Document Journal earlier this year: “Our minds adapted to a belief that a clock is always ticking, there is always something urgent, something that is pending, another deadline, rush hour.”

Cebile wears dress by W35T.

Richard wears shirt, sweater, and pants by Chulaap. Socks by Trenery. Sneakers by Converse. Cebile wears dress by Chulaap. Socks by Cotton On. Boots by Dr. Martens.
There is a major difference in between our perception of time, thus our attitudes towards life: while we are chasing time with the illusion of managing it, the people living on Africa’s southern cape are playing games with it instead. Capturing this spirit of timelessness is an extraordinary task, and art director Christian Ruess and photographer Caroline Mackintosh were exactly the ones to pull it off oh so perfectly. When we look at their gorgeous pictures, we see South Africa reinventing itself as a spirit that has been bitten by the sun, mistreated by human history, as a place that has remained one of the last hidden treasures of this planet – until now.
It’s not about being lazy, but about being super smart instead: falling out of time, then falling back into it just at the right moment. The limbo we are in with time is the limbo we are in with what we accept and embrace as our reality. The art of lazy is the art of staring into empty space, the art of watching the world burn in lethargy yet also it is the art of going completely wild and celebrating life in the very moments when it is meant to be celebrated.
During the darkest days of the pandemic, this very thought has given us hope that although the world might turn into a very different place, there will still be a place for creators, for people curious about a new kind of beauty and hungry for love.
Photography @carolinemackintosh c/o @shotview_management⠀
Creative Direction @studiochristianruess ⠀
Styling @gavinmikeycollins and @nads.studio⠀
H&M @aletviljoenhairmakeup ⠀
Models @jeremypjj and @iam_sakora ⠀
Production @bakerandcoprod

Jeremy wears top and pants by Chulaap. Socks by Woolworths. Sneakers by Nike. Richard wears shirt, sweater, and pants by Chulaap. Socks by Trenery. Sneakers by Converse. Cebile wears dress by Chulaap. Socks by Cotton On. Boots by Dr. Martens.

Cebile wear dress by Maxhosa Africa. Earring by Missibaba. Richard wears dress by Maxhosa Africa.

Jeremy wears Pants by Kente Gentlemen. Necklaces by Pichulik.

Richard wears shirt by Rich Mnisi. Cebile wears bodysuit and skirt by Rich Mnisi.

Jeremy wears Dress and top by Lara Klawikowski.

Richard wears shirt, sweater, and pants by Chulaap. Jeremy wears top and pants by Chulaap.

Richard wears Coat by Mmuso Maxwell. Pants by Viviers. Socks by Cotton On. Boots by Camper.

Richard wears Jacket and shorts by Good Good Good.

Cebile wears dress and scarves by Lukhanyo Mdingi. Jeremy wears top and sweater by Lukhanyo Mdingi. Pants by Viviers.

Jeremy wears top and dress by Lara Klawikowski.

Richard wears shirt and pants by Rich Mnisi. Shoes by Mr. P.

Cebile wears dress and scarf by Lukhanyo Mdingi. Jeremy wears top and sweater by Lukhanyo Mdingi. Pants by Viviers. Scarf by Lukhanyo Mdingi.

Richard wears Pants by Viviers. Socks by Cotton On and Boots by Camper.

Richard wears Jacket and pants by Viviers. Hat by Crystal Birch and Boots by Converse.

Richard wears Jacket and pants by Viviers. Hat by Crystal Birch and Boots by Converse.

Cebile wears Sweater by Wuman and Earrings by Missibaba.

Richard wears pants by Viviers and Boots by Converse. Cebile wears dress by Viviers and Earrings by Missibaba.

Richard wears pants by Viviers. Cebile wears dress by Viviers and Earrings by Missibaba.

Richard wears dress and socks by Maxhosa Africa. Shoes by Mr. P. Cebile wears dress and socks by Maxhosa Africa. Earrings by Missibaba. Shoes by Mr. P.

Richard wears jacket and shorts by Good Good Good. Boots by Converse.

Richard wears jacket and shorts by Good Good Good. Boots by Converse. Jeremy wears shirt and pants by Good Good Good.

Richard wears shirt by Rich Mnisi.