((ME))

((ME)) is the first collection in which Preston has hand constructed a majority of the garments. A true study of self abuse. He has hated sewing in the past, but has fallen in love with it over the course of the past nine months while creating this new project.

Preston used himself as the fit model for the garments to further establish emotional and physical connections between the psychology of ((ME)) and the garments themselves. He spent many hours in front of the mirror, draping the garments on his own body; forcing himself to look back into his own eyes. Involuntary self-reflection. Disgust of the body. A confrontation. Unimpressed with the skill. A reliance on the mirror. To look deep in one’s soul, only to see it staring back at ((ME)).

((ME)) continues to examine the idea of clothing as sculpture moving further away from the medium of fashion. However, Preston maintains his roots in fashion history and deep admiration for his favorite designers - old and new. Although there are a few traditionally produced pieces in this collection, the majority of the ((ME)) garments lack inherent wearability. These pieces resemble tops, skirts, and dresses but do not have much place in everyday life. Runway and editorial looks are stocked on shelves and available for purchase the next business day. ((ME)) challenges this newfound industry standard and aims to bring back the sanctity and scarcity of the fashion world that once was. We are inundated with collaborations, targeted ads, and influencer posts while endlessly scrolling our lives away. Therefore, a majority of the pieces aren’t actually for sale. After-all, they aren’t really even clothes to begin with.

The ((ME)) set takes the form of Preston’s bedroom, portraying what self abuse looks like in sobriety; an inescapable bed, countless hours glued to the screen, wasting away in a mountain of junk food. La Croix is no substitute for Heineken. The two pod a day Juul habit became too expensive for an unemployed artist. Call of Duty is an escape at first, until it ultimately ends in rage- every single time- and so the cycle repeats.

Preston’s favorite color has always oscillated somewhere between green and blue. He has pinpointed specific colors within this spectrum at various phases of his life. He began this obsession with a simple mint, followed by an affair with Tiffany Blue, and sustained by an affinity for seafoam green.

The excess, both in the set and garments, are material distractions to divert awareness from the god-sized hole in ((ME)). A proverbial hole in the soul.

Being raised by an addict and an al-anon has fucked ((ME)) up. The seemingly isolating set of character defects - and assets - are actually much more common than one may imagine. We just don’t talk about it.

I don’t want to be ((HIM)) It’s all ((HER)) fault

I am bad I am good

I am ugly I am beautiful

I am worthless I am worthy

I am alone I am connected

I am hated I am loved

I am not you I am ((ME))

Selfishness - self-centeredness! That, ((ME)) thinks, is the root of ((ME))’s troubles. Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, ((ME)) steps on the toes of ((ME))’s fellows and they retaliate. Sometimes they hurt ((ME)), seemingly without provocation, but ((ME)) invariably finds that at some time in the past ((ME)) has made decisions based on self which later placed ((ME)) in a position to be hurt.

So ((ME))’s troubles, ((ME)) thinks, are basically of ((ME))’s own making. They arise out of ((ME)), and the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot, though ((ME)) usually doesn't think so. Above everything, ((ME)) must be rid of this selfishness. ((ME)) must, or it kills ((ME))! God makes that possible. And there often seems no way of entirely getting rid of self without His aid. ((ME)) had moral and philosophical convictions galore, but ((ME)) could not live up to them even though ((ME)) would have liked to. Neither could ((ME)) reduce ((ME))’s self-centeredness much by wishing or trying on ((ME))’s own power. ((ME)) had to have God's help.

This is the how and why of it. First of all, ((ME)) had to quit playing God. It didn't work. Next, ((ME)) decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be ((ME))’s Director. He is the Principal; ((ME)) is His agent. He is the Father, and ((ME)) is His child. Most good ideas are simple, and this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through which ((ME)) passed to freedom.

pg.62