As part of the new Models of Diversity documentary due to air mid July this year, we interviewed Stephanie Read, Paralympian who won a silver medal at the London 2012 Paralympics. In her interview she not only gave us the story of her life before, during and after her accident, but a deep insight into how she overcame adversity to take her to where she is now. We met her at Loughborough University’s high-tech training facility, on a superb indoor track where Stephanie likes to train. She showed us her warm-up routine and were shown some of the different leg types that she uses for running. Adam Finch, the documentary maker filmed the various stages of her routine and her interview, which I have to say was astounding. I was lucky to get 30 minutes at the end to take some stills in the gorgeous light. Even if I hadn’t, I would have come away a very lucky and humble man to be in the presence of such a strong woman.
It should be spring in London, but outside it’s -2°C, snow flurries and blowing a gale. Inside however, we have visually turned up the heat, keeping these hot new designs indoors for just a few days longer. The models representing Models of Diversity have come together to show a range of new designs for spring and summer, the weather just doesn’t know it right now!
Our location, coincidentally called The Rag Factory lies in the heart of Brick Lane in the East End of London. The various galleries and performing spaces with their roof lights and white walls offer the perfect backdrop and respite from the fierce elements raging outside.
Fashion, social history and art have always been intertwined, giving a snap-shot of the day, a moment in time which defines the past and shows the way to the future. Our works of art happen to be models wearing designs; animated in this captive space, a living installation frozen (almost literally) for an instant.
Outside the hustle and bustle of everyday life passes by with extra pace to keep warm, yet inside, these white spaces four models of colour perform their own interpretation for the camera. We could argue that this isn’t really art, but we would argue that the canvases (the models) that display these designs are all the better for their diversity and collective skin tones, setting each garment off to dramatic effect.
When you look at a work of art, you never think of the base colour of the canvas, rarely do we even consider what medium the artwork is on. Fashion is not so benign, and that is why Models of Diversity campaigns to make sure that Fashion and The Media are always thinking of using a different colour canvas.
Models of Diversity (MoD) have, since their inception in 2008, been advocates of models of colour, disabled models, mature and plus-sized. Last year, MoD focussed their attention towards disabled models to capitalise on a heighten awareness during and after the Paralympics. This year they will still be actively supporting disabled models but the focus will shift towards models of colour and mature models.
Angel Sinclair and Sal Williams formed models of Diversity in 2008. The idea was conceived after Angel had entered and been shortlisted for Gok’s Miss Naked Beauty and was surprised at the wide range of models participating in contrast to the narrow range we seen in the fashion industry.
Photographer: James Alexander Lyon
Models: Roberta Whitney, Cleopatra Wood, Vivienne Zhang & Anya James
Stylists: Gwendoline M GM / Caroline
Hair: Fiona Chaffey HairStylist
Makeup: Melanie Lindsey
Producer: Angel Sinclair
Location: Rag Factory, Off Brick Lane, London
Latest ad concept for Models of Diversity promoting Models of Colour using one of the images shot at The Rag Factory, Off Brick Lane two weeks ago. Concept and copywriting courtesy of Urban Curve, image by James Alexander Lyon.
A full list of credits are below.
Model: Roberta Whitney
Hair: Fiona Chaffey HairStylist
Makeup: Melanie Lindsey
Stylist: Gwendoline M GM
Photographer: James Alexander Lyon
Producer: Angel Sinclair
Latest ad concept for Models of Diversity promoting Models of Colour using one of the images shot at The Rag Factory, Off Brick Lane two weeks ago. Concept and copywriting courtesy of Urban Curve, image by James Alexander Lyon.
A full list of credits are below.
Models: Roberta Whitney & Cleopatra Wood
Designer: David Ross
Hair: Fiona Chaffey HairStylist
Makeup: Melanie Lindsey
Stylist: Gwendoline M GM
Photographer: James Alexander Lyon
Producer: Angel Sinclair
On Wednesday the 6th of February Fleur Pellerin, the French Minister for E-commerce in France, received one of my pictures from Pixopolitan in Paris. She use to work at the UN in New York ad few years ago, so my picture of The Empire State Building and Lower Manhattan taken from The Top of The Rock seemed like the perfect souvenir.
She is apparently going to hang it in here office and will send a picture shortly.
I.D.E.A.L. Front Cover (Individuals with Disabilities Express About Life)
Well here it is, my first front cover of the year. Really not sure about all the typography, but hey I’m a typographer under the skin. Really nice to see this image still has life in the pixels still.
This was the first proper shoot with Doubra on one of our Saturday shoots with Models of Diversity. I’d shot her a couple of weeks earlier at a test shoot where she outperformed the others by a mile.
Doubra was born with chorea-dyskenesia but she never lets that hold her back. In my series of disabled models Doubra is the youngest and very confident. She walks up in front of the camera give her some direction and off she goes, nailing each pose time after time.
Left is the main article published in The Voice this week along with a series of images and campaign poster below.
Credits:
Photo: James Alexander Lyon
Styling & Management: Angel Sinclair
Hair & Makeup Karen Salandy
[singlepic id=297 w=200 h=150 float=left] [singlepic id=299 w=200 h=150 float=left][singlepic id=301 w=200 h=150 float=left]
Another editorial spin-off from the billboard campaign, back in September during the Paralympics. Desirable Magazine in California kindly published our images (Models of Diversity and Me) and also wrote an article about the campaign. I’m so happy to see the campaign start to spread its wings and take our message out to the world.
Martine Rose’s show at The Hospital Club in Covent Garden yesterday (08 January 2013) was well attended with the good, the great and the flamboyant. Filled to the tiered gunnels, Martine’s models entered via an unfinished hoarding onto a pure white floor and photographer would be proud of. Furniture dispersed around the stepped audiences area allowed for models posing and postulation before walking onto the rotating podium at ahead of the togs and videographers. Sharp, bright lighting made photography easy and the well-organised press area ensured we all got the best shots (other organisers should take note).
So what did we see? Well, the bomber jacket is back! But back with a full set of bar towels, branding and beer. Mop topped models had all the attitude of 80’s casuals but this was different, this was soft and cosy urban with an edge. Bell-bottomed high-waisted kaki trousers and high boots upset the traditional balance. Shiny multi-zipped skinny trousers, grey marl joggers took turns to have bar towel treatments. As well as a revival of the bomber, the parker also received the Rose treatment.
So was this a mish-mash of ‘has-been’ styles thrown together at a pub lunch or is it the shape of things to come? Certainly the bright patchwork of beer branded towelling worked as a jacket or trousers and offered that respectable splash of colour that even the hardest of fashionistas would wear. Elements of her collection will filter down fast into the high-street.
For me the favourite was the double denim jacket with the shoulder hanging towelling. Brave innovation and a twist on tradition it brought new life into dull denim and was the star of the show.
Below are a selection of images, please feel free to either link to them or download, but please give me a credit as the photographer.
As part of the new Models of Diversity documentary due to air mid July this year, we interviewed Stephanie Read, Paralympian who won a silver medal at the London 2012 Paralympics. In her interview she not only gave us the story of her life before, during and after her accident, but a deep insight into how she overcame adversity to take her to where she is now. We met her at Loughborough University’s high-tech training facility, on a superb indoor track where Stephanie likes to train. She showed us her warm-up routine and were shown some of the different leg types that she uses for running. Adam Finch, the documentary maker filmed the various stages of her routine and her interview, which I have to say was astounding. I was lucky to get 30 minutes at the end to take some stills in the gorgeous light. Even if I hadn’t, I would have come away a very lucky and humble man to be in the presence of such a strong woman.
