Every artist has their own inspiration, ideas can't just pop out from nowhere right (actually, sometimes they do). Inspiration can come from looking at nature, flipping through magazines and books, taking a dump in the toilet, really, anything can be inspiration.But one of the best way to get inspiration though, is to reference the works of other people; learn from it, consume it, and produce something of your own; something better, something improved, something different.
For this post we shall look into fashion photography, and specifically, editorials from Vogue. Vogue is a fashion magazine read by women (and men) all over the world, and they have since published many different editions ranging from Vogue Italia to Teen Vogue. Here are some of my favourites (in chronological order)...
Full Contrast
Vogue Paris, March 2013
Photographed by David Sims
Loving the simplicity and strength in this editorial featuring Isabeli Fontana, the bold black lines and form of the clothes in contrast with the stark white background, the soft feminine features in contrast with sharp masculine cheekbones, so much contrast (really apt title) in these editorials to create this edgy and androgynous set of photographs.
The Vogue 120
Vogue, September 2012
Photographed by Norman Jean Roy
Here we see Florence Welch from Florence + the Machine (love their songs~) being featured in The Vogue 120, which celebrates the most stylish singers, designers, actors and models of the moment. Florence is wearing a Chanel dress, Dolce & Gabbana cape and boots, and a Gypsy necklace atop a sleek black mare. Love the ornate and Elizabethan feel of this photo, dayum I need a horse~
Another shoot done by Tim Walker! I'm pretty sure Roald Dahl isn't a stranger for most, author of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', 'James and the Giant Peach', 'The Twits' among many others. Vogue UK enlisted the help of Tim Burton and other actors to bring to life these whimsical stories of Dahl's through fashion. Great use of set, props and costumes here to create these larger-than-life characters and stories.
L.A. Portfolio
A Point of View
Vogue Italia, September 2011
Photographed by Steven Klein
Crazy point of view here, these photographs are shot as if the floor is merely a transparent sheet of glass (maybe it actually is) and the photographer shot everything from under the models. Kudos to up-skirting done professionally; no wardrobe malfunction, no extra articles of clothing playing peekaboo. Also love the colour, tones and the whole macabre feel to it~
Mechanical Dolls
Vogue Italia, October 2011
Photographed by Tim Walker
A fusion of European and Japanese dressing, this editorial has crazy cool makeup, costumes and props. Love how the backdrop and setting adds on the very surreal and creepy feel to the shoot, as if we are peering through the windows of a dollhouse.
Follow That Woman
Vogue Nippon, September 2009
Photographed by Mikael Jansson
Talk about the objectification of men, the female gaze, female empowerment, yep the title sums it all. Kudos to the editorial team for reversing social norms where women used to be the object of sexual desire, now we see suave beefy men lying stark naked while the leading lady is all decked in high fashion pieces of clothing (lest for one photo where the pages are plastered with her naked torso, bare breast and all). I think the temperature just went up...
Tales of the Unexpected
Vogue UK, December 2008
Photographed by Tim Walker
Another shoot done by Tim Walker! I'm pretty sure Roald Dahl isn't a stranger for most, author of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory', 'James and the Giant Peach', 'The Twits' among many others. Vogue UK enlisted the help of Tim Burton and other actors to bring to life these whimsical stories of Dahl's through fashion. Great use of set, props and costumes here to create these larger-than-life characters and stories.
L.A. Portfolio
L'Uomo Vogue, December 2006
Photographed by Steven Klein
Another shoot by Steven Klein featured here, hmm all these repeats of photographers say something...I have no idea what...but yah. Anyway, L'Uomo Vogue is the male edition of Vogue in Italy, like how France's edition is Vogue Homme. Photographed here is the amazing Chad White, a really famous male model, dang if only I was as good looking.
Alice in Wonderland
Vogue, December 2003
Photographed by Annie Leibovitz
The classic children story of Alice in Wonderland being portrayed by model Natalia Vodianova decked in designer clothes is just purely ingenious. Indeed there are many editorials where fairytales are transformed into high fashion spreads, likewise, the classic Alice is now dressed up by the world's most influential designers, including John Galliano, Marc Jacobs, Donatella Versace and Jean Paul Gaultier. Seriously, so many designer clothings in one editorial is kick ass enough.
By now, I guess we can tell my artistic style, edginess, macabre, eccentricity, sultry, sexual tension, theatrics, high fashion, all rolled into one. Hopefully one day, I'll be able to create works of art as powerful as these. Oh and if you did not realise by now, I ditched the all lower caps practice, and I'm typing like a normal person again!
I have two photoshoots planned, mainly for my art portfolio, but still I can't wait to finish it and post it up here, hopefully it'll turn out great! I need a female model for one of the shoots though, if you think you're up for it (do keep in mind my artistic style as shown above haha), please contact me~
By now, I guess we can tell my artistic style, edginess, macabre, eccentricity, sultry, sexual tension, theatrics, high fashion, all rolled into one. Hopefully one day, I'll be able to create works of art as powerful as these. Oh and if you did not realise by now, I ditched the all lower caps practice, and I'm typing like a normal person again!
I have two photoshoots planned, mainly for my art portfolio, but still I can't wait to finish it and post it up here, hopefully it'll turn out great! I need a female model for one of the shoots though, if you think you're up for it (do keep in mind my artistic style as shown above haha), please contact me~
