Endocannibalism X Exocannibalism – The Los Angeles-based artist, Sterling Ruby’s first runway presentation at the gorgeous Le Pagliere in Firenze, Italy was a triumphant clash of tribalism, studio wear, bleach splatters, dark natural landscapes and a chilling romanticism. Presenting a form of soft sculpture on the runway, Ruby’s first collection is autobiographical, a chart through cloth of Ruby’s life, influences, fantasies and reality. The references include heavy metal and punk album cover art, Amish and Mennonite dress, and Ruby’s own geographical journey across America, from his rural upbringing in Pennsylvania to Los Angeles, California. The craft language of American folk tradition - of crafting, mending, the patchworking of quilts - is here embedded in garments, whose worked surfaces are a map of the journey of their making. The first drops are available here and here. photographs by Oliver Maxwell Kupper