Wear Your Water
2014
As the politics of water reach a point of crises, its preciousness will be integrated into the way humans represent themselves. Similar to how metals and stones represent a level of status, water will be used in fashion to project an individual’s class. The water bustle is an armature that allows the wearer to display their ample supply of water, projecting their superior hydration as a fashion accessory.
Throughout the history of fashion, status and healthfulness have been projected through a range of styles. Famously the Romans praised ‘fatness’ as it was an indicator that one was wealthy and could afford ample food. Specifically, within the culture of women, a range of apparatuses have been developed and implemented to maintain that which is biologically attractive: ample breasts (padded bras), small waists (corsets and Spanx) and larger hips and buttocks (bustiers). As a well-hydrated person becomes a rarity and a luxury of higher status, this condition will be projected onto the body in some way.
Although this piece is imagined as a status indicator and superficial, this bustle holds one day of water in individual modules of 3 oz each, allowing the user to fill it with as much water that is available to them or a level that is comfortable to carry.
