Fashion - Bachelors
Water Me is a deeply personal collection reflecting Calvin James’s journey through profound grief and addiction. Using the metaphor of plants needing water, it portrays the ache of self-neglect and the slow path to healing, symbolizing a fragile yet resilient transformation from darkness to self-compassion. This collection is not just about fashion; it is about survival, rejuvenation, and the beauty that arises when we commit to caring for our true selves.
He told me I was so small
– FKA twigs ‘water me’
I told him, “Water me”
The Mourner: A blazer dress with a ripped back and layered leaf pads, inspired by a black rubber tree plant that symbolizes grief. Its unsettling look reflects self-neglect after losing my father, showcasing the emotional toll of that loss.
The Intoxicated: A nude tulle dress with pin-tucked satin, representing the grip of alcohol in a toxic relationship. Fishing wire creates a liquid shape that cascades into a dying rose, symbolising the destructive nature of addiction.
The Corrupted: This dress embodies the decay of my euphorbia cactus during a dark time, capturing haunting beauty amidst neglect. It represents resilience and transformation from a period of personal struggle. Over 24 hours of burning the fabric accessorised with monstera hip pads to give the hips shape.
The Forsaken: A playsuit draped in withered leaves that evoke decay and lifelessness, reflecting a sense of abandonment. It symbolises a body drained of vitality, mirroring my feelings during a desolate time. Detachable leave bunches that are held by pockets all over the playsuit, featuring a decayed leaf scarf.
The Shattered: This dress features tangled, dead roots that symbolize the pain of my past, worn openly like a heart on my sleeve. The roots reveal trauma but also embody resilience and the healing potential.
The Revitalized: A stretch mesh dress with hand-stitched laser cut/engraved velvet monstera leaves motifs, representing rebirth after trauma. The burnt backside of the leaves creates a bubbling texture, symbolizing the emergence of a strong, healthy new leaf in my life.
Calvin James brings their passion for personal narrative storytelling to his designs, specialising in couture techniques and intricate hand stitching. Inspired by his journey and experience as a drag queen, Calvin’s work combines expressive detail with heartfelt themes.