Take a risk this summer. Maybe some people are afraid to show what they’re made of, but using default mode is no fun. There a plenty of people out there who are going to play is safe this summer and put on last year’s pastel-colored polos and khaki board shorts, but please girls, it’s time for some adventure. Ruth Ruiz, a Salt Lake Community College photography student, has caught my eye many times in my classes and she’s done everything right with her style. She doesn’t play it safe, but she wins every time.
Ruth has a very edgy way of dressing. With her dark palette of blacks and grays, and leather boots, and dramatic eye shadow, her look is a force not to be reckoned with. This look can be hard for someone who is less social or more timid to pull off, because it can be intimidating. Ruth’s personality melds well with her tough look because she had a very energetic, approachable attitude.
When I asked Ruth how she would describe her style, she said, “It’s a little gothic.” I looked at her and had to disagree. It’s not that she had a lot of makeup or drenched herself in black, but her look is a very dramatic one. Some may get confused between edgy, risky or bold looks with gothic style. Just because black is in the majority of the ensemble doesn’t mean it creates gothic style. For instance, Ruth wore a printed top with splashes of white and a lower neckline topped off with a black cardigan. I noticed her layering and her makeup and didn’t once think gothic.
I asked Ruth what she spends the most money on when it comes to clothing. She said shoes. I should have known because it’s her incredible pair of knee high boots that made me want to write about her. With everyone around her in tennis shoes and ballet flats, it’s easy to notice when Ruth comes clicking into class with stunning leather, high-heeled boots. She explained that she can buy tops anywhere and they can be fairly cheap but for a good pair of boots, it’s totally worth it. Even Ruth admits it’s a little tricky to pull off such an edgy pair of boots, but she makes them work to her advantage.
Along with a sassy pair of boots, Ruth’s hair is another style detail that she has taken full control of. Her dark hair is long and has lot of texture, and then she cut it into a Mohawk. Her hairstyle is an incredible risk that most women would never take, but Ruth did. With plenty of waves and pulled up and pinned in the right places, her hair adds a lot of drama to the rest of her rigid look.
After the boots, hair, tops and bottoms are under control, Ruth still pays attention to every detail. Accessorizing is important, always, and Ruth took another risk in this department. A surface piercing right below her left eye will have a lot of people wondering “does that hurt?” It brings a lot of attention to her face and keeps your focus. Overall, Ruth has put together a style all her own and it’s impressive how comfortable her look can be for summer. Ruth’s got a busy schedule with school and her job as a nightlife photographer, it’s time she get in front of the camera for once and let her look shine.
