In celebration of FOAM's latest exhibition, Fashion Photography Next, we present our favourite contemporary fashion photographers
The first rule of fashion photography is that there are no rules. From Melvin Sokolsky’s languid bubble series in 1963 to Nick Knight’s colourful digital manipulation, fashion photography has always pushed boundaries and questioned the level on which we see, understand and wear clothes. In celebration of this art, FOAM Amsterdam has just opened a new show: Don’t Stop Now: Fashion Photography Next. Curated by Magdelene Keaney, the exhibition presents some of the greatest players in contemporary fashion photography including Robi Rodriguez, Harley Weir, Jamie Hawkesworth and Julia Hetta, all of whom have shot for AnOther Magazine. Here, AnOther speaks to each artist about their favourite images.
1. Julia Hetta
What is your favourite image from the past?
Of my own? I think Girl With an Apple.
How would you describe your work in 3 words?
Stillness, silence and darkness.
Where is the most memorable location you have shot?
In the house and ateljé of Balthus in Switzerland.
What is the most memorable thing you have photographed?
The Lanvin womenswear collection together with Alber Elbaz.
2. Robi Rodriguez
What is your favourite image from the past?
From my own work, an image called 1982 (see gallery).
How would you describe your work in 3 words?
A, MA, ZING
Where is the most memorable location you have shot?
Mera, Spain.
What is the most memorable thing you have photographed?
The blue dress in the image above.
3. Harley Weir
What is your favourite image from the past?
A postcard of the John W. Waterhouse's painting of Hylas and the Nymphs. I used to see it pinned up on my uncle's cork board when growing up and would sit and think about it a lot. I saw the real thing a while ago and it wasn't so impressive but i love the postcard version.
How would you describe your work in 3 words?
Cliché. Confused. Beautiful.
Where is the most memorable location you have shot?
Israel, two years ago. I revisited recently and it doesn't seem to hold any magic for me anymore.
What is the most memorable thing you have photographed?
Nothing in the way of clothes but I photographed a rubber water-filled bottom sex toy once and that was unforgettable.
4. Jamie Hawkesworth
What is your favourite image from the Past?
At the moment it's a Jem Southern photograph, from a book called Red River. It's a still life of a model farm. It's pretty spectacular.
How would you describe your work in 3 words?
Composed and meaningful.
Where is the most memorable location you have ever shot?
Preston Bus Station had to be the most memorable, as I've spent a lot of time exploring that space, and been able to really zone in on what I love about people.
What is the most memorable thing you have photographed?
For one of the JW Anderson campaigns, we shot a young Indian girl in one of Jonathan's dresses. There's a lot of freedom for me with those campaigns and with that particular shot, it really felt like everything I love and believe in. The garment really embodied the character, and visa versa.
Equally, the opening image of the fashion story I shot for the next issue of AnOther Magazine, featuring a young girl in a Vivienne Westwood dress. Olivier Rizzo is incredible, and the dress really summed up our feelings towards Jade (the model). It's one of my favourite images I've taken.
Fashion Photography Next by Magdalene Keaney, published by Thames & Hudson is released on the 28th July.
Text by Mhairi Graham
