In an evocative homage to the haunting interplay of existence and emotion, Ukrainian designer Irina Dzhus unveils her latest masterpiece: the “ABSOLUTE” collection. Celebrated as one of the world’s best avant-garde fashion brands, DZHUS stands as a torchbearer for contemporary Ukrainian design, and this collection transcends mere aesthetics to paint a poignant narrative of resilience and transformation.
Emerging from the shadows of war and personal trauma, Dzhus translates anguish into art, illustrating a profound tapestry of grief woven with threads of avant-garde innovation. At the vibrant Berlin Fashion Week, DZHUS debuted this audacious collection, now showcased within the conceptual haven of Jaga Hupało Space of Creation in Warsaw, alongside thought-provoking artefacts from local design luminaries such as Zieta Studio, Anna Drozd-Tutaj, and Organic Lighting.
Within a striking cube installation, a solitary chair occupies the stage, signalling the start of a journey through Dzhus’ most intimate fears. Eschewing music, the designer recounts her story through the very fabric of her collection. Each piece unfolds a visual narrative, revealing the chaotic yet cathartic events that have led her to discover a state of agonising, unexperienced happiness.
The silhouettes of the “ABSOLUTE” collection are a playful nod to modernist comics and spiritual motifs, presenting garments that are not just to be worn, but experienced. Dzhus captures fleeting memories and milestones, crystallising them into transformative outfits that invite the wearer to participate in the narrative loop. The accessories serve as eloquent storytellers, meticulously crafted from pre-owned headpieces and scarves, drawing inspiration from ancestral wisdom and the Japanese practice of kintsugi.
Renowned for her ability to reflect societal intricacies, Dzhus employs anatomical metaphors to explore themes of desire and fear. The collection incorporates striking imagery, including mouths both smoking and ritualistically stitched, and an avant-garde men’s coat featuring an embracing figure—an embodiment of the designer’s profound connection with her art and identity. This semi-supernatural silhouette radiates a vibrant tension, manifesting both a euphoric dream and a paralysing dystopia.
Irina Dzhus’ “ABSOLUTE” project has become a life-defining statement that encapsulates her artistic narrative. This daring eruption of creativity, birthed from sorrow and helplessness, reveals an unyielding truth: the inexhaustible wellspring of her artistic spirit. As the collection journeyed towards a materialised reality in early 2024, it solidified DZHUS as a pioneering force within the avant-garde fashion landscape. The brand now embarks on a bold audiovisual campaign, inviting us to witness the relentless power of creativity amidst adversity.
Brand: DZHUS @dzhus.conceptual.wear
Direction, styling, photo editing, soundtrack: Irina Dzhus @irina.dzhus
Location and beauty partner: Jaga Hupało Space of Creation @jaga_hupalo_space_of_creation
Hair and makeup: Jaga Hupało @jagahupalo, Aga Kaszyńska, Antonia Wolff @wolffantonia, Alicja Smoniewska @alicja.smoniewska_makeup
Photo: Julia Jaracz @juliajaracz @ Konewka Studio @konew.ka
Video: Patryk Patynowski @patynowski.p @ Konewka Studio
Interior objects: chair by Zieta Studio @zieta_studio, cube by Jaga Hupało x Anna Drozd-Tutaj @anna.drozd.tutaj, chandelier by Organic Lighting @organic_lighting
Ethical footwear: House Martin @housemartin_footwear
Models: Asia Dyrkacz @asia.dyrkacz @ M O R E @moremodels.com.pl, Maggy Words Modlibowska @maggy_outlook @ B.OLD @b.oldmodels, Polie Nimaeva @chestnoepionerskoe, Lena Shtyk @lenashtyk, PURL @pearlsandashes
Backstage assistance: Kolas Vodonovsky @vodonovsky
Vegan catering: Fundacja Viva @fundacjaviva using Primavika @primavika.pl and Cultured Foods @cultured.foods
Special thanks to Jan Sikorski and team at Jaga Hupało Space of Creation, and Anatolii Elger
