Robbie Spencer & Lina Scheynius for AnOther Magazine S/S12

A particularly special collaboration for AnOther Magazine's spring/summer issue was between photographer Lina Scheynius and stylist Robbie Spencer. Set within the luxurious enclave of the Freemason's Hall, one of the oldest Masonic lodges in London, the team harnessed the balletic elegance of model Kinga Rajzak along with S/S12's gorgeous array of silks, sequins, tulle, metallics and irridescence, to create a fashion story filled with energy and grace, yet at the same time redolent with a unnerving strangeness; a juxtaposition which was echoed throughout the issue. Here Spencer looks back over the inspirations for the shoot and the experience of working with Scheynius; an interview illustrated with exclusive polaroids taken on set.

What was your inspiration for the shoot?
We wanted to focus on a very opulent space so we ended up using the Freemason's building in Covent Garden. It has a great combination of restrained grandeur, so it was dramatic but in a very controlled art-deco way. Lina's work is very much dictated by natural light and, as we were shooting indoors, we thought it would be interesting to focus on really dramatic opulent looks, metallic and textural fabrics, sheers and anything with a sheen or pearlescent detail to it, in order to really make a focus point of Kinga in the picture and make her jump out of this dark oppressive space. We also really wanted a feeling of performance and movement in the pictures, an idea that Kinga was really receptive to.

"I love the red Dior look – the dramatic feel, the elegant setting and I love the abstraction made by the body, the dress and the swirling fabric"

Why did you choose the model - what was special and what worked about her?
I have always loved Kinga, and have wanted to shoot her for a long time. I love the combination of her refined porcelain skin and jet black hair and she was absolutely perfect for this shoot. She's been modelling for such a long time that she is a consummate professional who really understood and appreciated what we were trying to achieved on set. She is hugely knowledgeable about the industry as well as being very respectful of Lina being an art photographer. The fact that she moves like a dancer meant that she gives so much to each picture.

Which was your favorite look?
I love the red Dior look. I like the dramatic feel, the elegant setting and I love the abstraction made by the body, the red dress and the swirling fabric.

What did the photographer bring to the shoot?
This shoot was my first time working with Lina and I really enjoyed the experience. She is very collaborative and open to ideas, and for her, it is all about making the image work; about creating an editorial feel, not just about fashion. We share the attitude that the images should project a sense of personality, be about documenting a person, as well as making a beautiful image. I just love that the images are at once epic and cinematic, and very personal, tender and intimate. Lina seems to have a very clear concept of what she is about and what she is trying to achieve with each picture, and I really hope to work with her again.

Text by Tish Wrigley

The spring/summer 2012 issue of AnOther Magazine is out now.