Calling In The Rain is a fashion tale of many imaginaries out of South Africa. Director and stylist Gavin Mikey Collins was initially inspired by designer Chu Suwannapha’s SS24 collection ‘Sea Explorer’, which he debuted as the guest designer project at Pitti Uomo 104 in June, relaunching his brand CHULAAP. The expressive prints are reminiscent of maritime tattoos while the silhouettes – including magnificent millinery by Crystal Birch – take their cues from the ship’s captain who sets sail into watery depths.

From here, Collins connected with singer, songwriter and poet Texas, who wrote a piece that subverts history so that those who were once explored become the explorers, and we’re asked to wonder how imagination, or the reimagining of a story, can attenuate the effects of history. These layers of meaning further influenced the rest of the team, among them DOP Oscar O’ Ryan and music producer John Marks, to build out an visual and sonic landscape. The end result is an emotive work that goes deep within to discover infinite groundswells of strength and beauty.

To explore we go inward.
To reap the gifts of our bloodline and watch the outside world expand.
It will grow where we water it.
These rivers ripple through our veins.
The earth knows the outlines of our feet.
To look at your face and know the sun.
Love us.
Our ancestors moved and sang on this land, calling in the rain.
We cannot be conquered.
Abundance is our birth right.
We are whole and we belong.