major project synopsis
BLOOM
The world of fashion photography has been renowned for its lack of diversity and representation. However, this is changing. With ‘BLOOM’ I wanted to emphasise this positive change utilising the theme of nature, specifically the metaphor of spring. This was effective in highlighting the beauty of difference and change. The word bloom has only positive connotations, meaning to come into or be in full beauty or health, or simply, to flourish. Nature is an empowering aspect as it relates to female energy, as its historically thought the be connected to the feminine. It used to be thought that women were connected to nature, while men were connected to culture. In modern day, we are definitely moving away from this mentality. Through ‘BLOOM’ I wanted to subvert this ideology. My intention was to create an empowering, positive and aesthetically pleasing set of contemporary photographs.
By using both male and female subjects, I wanted to illustrate that gender is just a construct; anyone can be feminine and anyone can be masculine or have qualities that are seen as such. Gender labels have no meaning especially in regards to fashion. Moreover, I wanted to address the issue of representation in the fashion industry and in fashion editorials. It is hugely important for all kinds of people to be featured in these kinds of images as they are seen everywhere in daily life. We now know that is it damaging to body image and identity to not see your own race or body type or sexuality positively represented through visual media- specifically fashion related.
The natural concept used jointly with this fashion portrait series can also be seen as a contradistinction; fashion is manmade yet both fashion and nature have empowering qualities. Balance and duality are also themes that are brought to light; the masculine and feminine, nature and the manmade, contemporary photography and alternative photography.