Young Doncaster fashion designer using his mental health struggles to create bespoke pieces

Calum Wright is starting his own fashion line at the age of 22.

During the lockdown, he has been inspired by the topic of mental health to start creating items of clothing that reflect issues such as depression and anxiety.

Calum from Wheatley, said: “I’ve suffered from mental health issues and had a really hard time.

“I started this project when I was at university when my personal issues started.

“The idea is that the words I paint on the clothing show what the person is dealing with inside.

“Speaking out about mental health is often the hardest part.”

Calum hopes that wearing his pieces will bring people comfort as well as painting on words associated with mental health issues he is also including positive affirmations to help them get through the day.

“Hopefully the people wearing the clothes will be able to look down as they see messages such as ‘life gets easier’ and ‘I got this’ and it will put their mind at ease,” he said.

“Clothing is a great way to express yourself and how you’re feeling.”

Calum designed the first items for himself during lockdown but soon began getting messages asking for personalised commissions.

He uses a combination of spray paint and fabric pens to create his designs and hopes to expand this project into a full fashion line in the future.

Calum said: “Lockdown has been hard on a lot of people.

“I myself have only left my home four times.

“I have issues with being alone and feeling trapped and have been to the hospital twice to make sure that I was okay.”

Calum has put his creative energy into his fashion project and says it has led to open and honest conversations with strangers online about mental health.

In the future, he wants to look into a fabric that can change colour and create a hoodie that changes hue with a person's mood.

You can follow Calum on Instagram here.

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