One of Earth’s four sacred elements, water is so vital that without it, life would vanish. But water doesn’t just sustain life—it shapes it.
As a girl from the land of 10,000 lakes, I fell in love with water early. I took swimming lessons in still-frigid spring lakes, went canoe camping in the boundary waters between Minnesota and Canada, waterskied, floated down rivers on inner tubes, kayaked rapids, bodysurfed ocean waves, and ice-skated on frozen lakes. I've danced with every form water can take.
This story is woven in both word and image. Visual collaborators featured in the full Substack story include:
The Butterfly Effect: The Zena suit and butterfly wings. Photo of Linnea Snyderman by Cheryl Walsh
Designing for Water: Hannah Mermaid in a multicolor tulle skirt and bustier, photo by Brett Stanley
Dark Water, Golden Light: Hannah Mermaid in gold, photo by Andrea Hunter
Breathwork & Buoyancy: Linnea Snyderman and Jane Roques-Ficher in crocheted bodysuits. Photo by Justin Lutsky
Pools, Props & Play: Hannah Mermaid in the Zena suit by Justin Lutsky, Tokiko Mushashi in a lemon-toned sequin bikini and glitter mendi by Lisa Whitmore
Freshwater Magic: Hannah Mermaid in a flower embellished lavender bustier gown. Photo by Brett Stanley
Into the Ocean: “Be Balloon Aware” campaign, photo of Linnea Snyderman by Brett Stanley, Alohi Vega Alvarado in a silver swimsuit and skirt by photographer Kelly Hsiao
When Images Win: Lace gown image of Hannah Mermaid by Justin Lutsky, International Photo Salon, Proteus, Bulgaria. A Sea of Plastic: Linnea Snyderman in a plastic trash dress by Justin Lutsky for “Act on Plastic”
Water as Medium, Message, and Mirror: Water girl, before I knew I’d become one. Age 4ish, already plotting underwater magic.
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If this glimpse speaks to you, the full reflection is on Substack.” 🐚 The Shape of Water: Underwater Fashion, Collaboration, and the Butterfly Effect