Thomas Farthing – Ideal Home Christmas Show, Earls Court Olympia 2013
More images from this event to follow in the next couple of days…..
More images from this event to follow in the next couple of days…..
You can scroll through the images (41) by clicking on the picture. To download either drag the image onto your desktop or right-click your mouse. If you require a high resolution version for either printing or for a publisher, please send me the image in an email to: studio@jamesalexanderlyon.com
These are the remaining images that were held back for press coverage.
[ngg_images gallery_ids=”35″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_slideshow”]
For me the greatest influences have been the French street photographers, Jacques Henri Lartigue, Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Doisneau. Street photography for me is my first love and what I photograph for myself.
During the successful Catwalk4Change Fashion Show with Models of Diversity, that catalyst started the process to form these images. Mature models dressed in vintage clothing catwalked towards us (the photographers); it struck me, these were scenes lifted directly from the canvases of the artist Jack Vettriano.
It was both obvious and simple, take four mature models, who all were friends as a consequence of the show and photograph them in London in a style of Doisneau with the composure and feel of Vettriano. The opportunity realised itself days later, with a chance to shoot on a Saturday afternoon, on The Embankment in London. Granted, it’s neither the Parisian Streets nor the flat tide-less beaches made famous by photographer and artist alike, but it was our canvass with which to tell our story.
Four friends, socialites having been out all night at a party carry on together into the break of day, not wanting the spell to end as in inevitably would.
Oblivious to all those around, we take to The Embankment to play out our parts and I watch and record from behind the lens. For those who know either artist or photographer’s work, you will see the influences I hope. For those that don’t, maybe you will look both up.
The four models, Annabel, Samantha, Mark and John, styled themselves and acted the parts with ease. Would I have been able to get the same results with younger models? Maybe, but I would not have got the intent and subtle style in their poses that I got from these mature models.
Photography and words by James Alexander Lyon
Models: Annabel Davis, Samantha Tomlin, Mark Flynn Rutter & John McKenzie – Models of Diversity
Styling: Models’ own
Download a copy of the images and sample page spreads (Pdf 4.6Mb) [wpdm_file id=1]
A Slideshow of the images use in the editorial piece.
[ngg_images gallery_ids=”33″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_basic_slideshow”]
You can scroll through the images (203) by clicking on the pictures, on the left to go back, on the right to go forward. To download either drag the image onto your desktop or right-click your mouse. If you require a high resolution version for either printing or for a publisher, please send me the image in an email to: studio@jamesalexanderlyon.com
PLEASE NOTE: There are around 50 of the best images which have been held back for publication. These will be released at a later date.
Tickets are £20 standard. £25 with luxury goody bag . We have two amazing acts Stedman Pearson from Five Star performing his new single . Stacey Jackson performing her latest single from her new album “live it up ” celebrities, media, model agents from the UK top agencies . Two amazing fashion show featuring mature models and 15 of the UK’s Top Bloggers. All in aid of two amazing charities, Mind and Macmillan .
The show will be hosted by the beautiful and talented Charlotte Avery. Raffle prize win a weekend away for two people. Plus a Silent Auction. If you would like to volunteer or would like to buy tickets please go to: http://www.modelsofdiversity.org/catwalk4change/
Images shot two weeks ago with Models of Diversity at The Rag Factory off Brick Lane in London. All the models bared nearly all to illustrate the idea of body dysmorphia by writing on their bodies about their body parts they disliked and the parts they loved.
Interrupt is an online magazine co-founded by Cameron Russell. Please take a look and if you like, sign up and support their magazine.
Link to the article: http://interruptmag.com/?p=834
Credits:
Makeup Joanne Timms
Hair Fiona Chaffey
Photographer James Lyon
Creative Director Angel Sinclair
Illustration John Choo
Models: Kelly Knox, TriciaSteph Fontaine, Sarah Naylor, Vivienne Zhang, Keeana Kee, Ekaterina Avramova and Anya James
Last Monday I got to shoot Steven Smith, Author and hairstylist to the rich and famous. We had met last year through Models of Diversity “Rock the Runway” event in Brighton. Steve was one of our celebrity judges. Steven already had some ideas of what he wanted to portray so shooting him was easy as he’s so relaxed and professional. His article and blog where he used the images is here. Below are a few of the images.
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