The title is inspired by the When Frankie Goes to Hollywood song, When 2 Tribes Go to War
full shoot can be found here
The shoot is inspired by the recent stories in the media of a lack of black models on the catwalk. I wanted the shoot to be based around the model's perspective as they seem to stuck in the middle of all this! The 2 different colour body paint on each model represent different skin colour, but the actual symbols are exactly the same on each model - this is to show that even though we are of different skin tones/colour we are ultimately part of the same tribe.
The symbols represent different parts of the story:
a TV aerial at the top and a magazine at the bottam to represent the media
2 arms interlocking to represent the unity of the models
2 separate catwalks to represent the separation of the models and the horizontal lines show that the models are bound by this
blindfolds to show that the models have no control or power over these issues
(further inspiration can be found here)
Since the time I was researching the story, alot has been done to promote diversity especially on the catwalk. It is a difficult and sensitive issue as I feel it isn't just a black/white issue. Alot of the 'supermodels' are from Eastern Europe (only a handful from London), each individual and different in their own way, for instance does Abbey Lee look like Iris Strubegger or Freja Beha Erichson...
From the last shows I have noticed models from Asia walking down the catwalks of a number of top shows, Tao Okamoto and Liu Wen to name a few, more black models, Rose Codero (who featured on the front of French Vogue, not just a 'black issue which I disagree on principle with what Italian Vogue did), Chanel Iman who has been around for a long time and others.
I do think there are concerted efforts being made to diversify the catwalk, also the fashion industry is not just about the models, we have to think about the whole creative team, Pat Mcgrath for instance (hate having to pick people on their background) an amazing makeup artist, arguably the best/most inspiring in the world, her work is seen on all the top magazines/catwalks etc. Without people like her the industry wouldn't exist. We should celebrate individualism and I feel many of the models are which is why they have been picked over so many others that try (regardless of background). If I do feel there is a serious issue there will be further photoshoots as this is the only way I can express myself properly!
As artists our work reflects that which goes on around us, if only we could all walk around with big smiles..
Next shoot coming soon, Heaven on Earth? Hell on Earth?
