TAKE A PICTURE, WHAT DO YOU SEE?

 

Self portraiture is having a fashion moment. Yes, it must be flattering to be requested your portrait. I wouldn’t know. * BIG time hints*. But, seriously, who needs someone else? Surely you can make yourself look your absolute best (unless you’re the riddled-with-self-loathing artistic type, then the self portrait is more cathartic or, perhaps, punishing). I doubt that the Lookbook.nu generation (if they aren’t taking the photos oh-so-flatteringly of themselves - from above, hazy vintage colour processing, etc…) haven't been stumbled upon by roving street style photographers who just happened to notice them strolling around in minus three degrees in their latest purchase - a casual pneumonia-encouraging chiffon maxi dress. No, the self portrait can be a calculated style statement and no more so than right now, where spring fashion editorials and campaigns are capitalising on our narcissistic nature. Ironic when you take a second to think about the general public’s self confessed state during these early months of the year - talk about feeling sluggish!

Throughout history, portraits - whether self-obsessed or not - have acted as an indication of wealth, status, sexual allure, intelligence etc. In fact, the very instant mirrors were invented, the self portrait was born. The self portrait isn’t as honestly representative as a mirror, but a projected desire instead. Oh, we’re a self-adoring bunch (just think of the vain people who photoshop their Facebook pics!) - fashion industry or not. I’ve long been fascinated by fashion photographers who include themselves within their work (Terry Richardson springs to mind!) - are these really self portraits masquerading as a fashion image of a model?

In 2006, Elle Muliarchyk became the first ‘guerilla model’, targeting the most elite stores, only to try on clothes for the purpose of capturing shots of herself in the changing room - and beautifully executed they are, when one considers the restrictions of time, space and the obvious lack of a photo-shoot crew! Another model, Israel based Yulia Gorodinski, has also built her career on her, um, how do you say, less clothing-orientated self portaits. Look her up. Then two years ago, Topshop created a fashion photo booth, where regular girls could dress up and take pictures of themselves. A success? But of course! (It was indeed called the Helmut Newton photo machine - in homage to the photographer’s previous project with French Vogue in 1972). It’s a trend that just keeps growing, and more recently, you’ll notice that the camera itself featured as an integral part of composition - with shoots relying on the models to take the pictures themselves with cable release shutters. Ladies in control? That's what I like to hear. “You will decide when to stop, the entire responsibility is with you,” Newton said to the volunteer models on entering the original booth. After all, who knows your best side better than you? Here you'll see Julia Restoin Roitfeld shooting herself in Tom Ford's greatly anticipated first collection - for her interview with the designer in V Magazine. Another noteworthy mention must go to Singles Korea Feb 2011 issue, with a shoot simply titled - Self Portrait. (!)