Caroline Icardo
Ruth's Last Runway
Illustration
2021
Digital
“Ruth’s Last Runway” portrays the last woman to be hanged in the UK, nightclub owner and hostess Ruth Ellis. She committed the crime of shooting her abusive and alcoholic husband. Showing up to court, she kept a beautifully maintained appearance. Accounts state that she had freshly dyed platinum blonde hair and appeared in a sharp black suit and white silk blouse – her lawyers wanted her to tone done her look, but she did not. She appeared indifferent throughout the proceedings.