Twenty-two-year-old Oliwia Ruczyńska from the Lodz University of Technology dedicates her project Stained Light to the beauty of Gothic cathedrals and their vividly colored stained-glass windows. Her design translates this spiritual architecture into fashion — a play of light, color, and structure that unites mysticism and craftsmanship.
“I wanted to capture the feeling of standing inside a cathedral when sunlight breaks through the glass and floods the space with colored light,” says Oliwia Ruczyńska.
At the center of the look is a corset designed like a glowing window. It is composed of small, laser-cut mirror and plexiglass pieces coated with colored transparent films. The layering creates the illusion of real stained glass. Each fragment reflects light differently, making the garment shift continuously with movement and perspective. Beneath the corset, the designer combines delicate lace with flowing satin — materials that express the duality of strength and softness.
The silhouette feels sculptural, balancing architectural precision with sensual lightness. Complementing the outfit, Oliwia Ruczyńska designed a crown and shoes created using Blender and 3D-printing technology. These modern elements form a deliberate contrast to the historical inspiration, illustrating how digital tools can reinterpret traditional art forms.
For the digital realization, she used CLO3D to virtually reconstruct her design and simulate the interaction of light and material. The result is a digital twin of the physical outfit — a testament to the dialogue between craftsmanship and technology. Stained Light is a love letter to light and an attempt to translate the grandeur of Gothic architecture into wearable form.
