Seán Russell

But We’re Not Swans explores the human condition and the quiet violence of comparison, particularly during your early twenties — a period defined by constant becoming, where identity, ambition, intimacy, and survival compete for equal attention. Through silhouette, texture, and pattern cutting, the project questions the unnecessary pressure we place on ourselves to excel in career, beauty, love, and success, while simultaneously trying to enjoy our youth.

Swans are elegant creatures that appear calm as they glide across the surface, while beneath the water they move frantically just to stay afloat. Swans mate for life — but we’re not swans. We should not force ourselves to live by rigid expectations or timelines in pursuit of happiness. As humans, we create strict ideas about what a successful or fulfilled life should look like, yet these expectations are often arbitrary, and happiness can only truly be discovered individually.

The collection reflects this tension through a combination of corporate suiting and playful, sporty elements inspired by my own wardrobe. By merging formal structures with casual and youthful references, the project comments on competitive culture and the performative aspects of adulthood. Through a playful, satirical lens and a tongue-in-cheek attitude, the collection critiques the arbitrary competitions and status systems we use to assign meaning to our lives.