Never Becoming a Wallflower Editorial

editorial

14 Mar

The photographing of my grandmother and us collaborating on images started taking shape in 2018 when I had a conversation with her regarding her view on vanity and how it doesn’t necessarily have to be superficial or of a negative force. Vanity can be just as positive as being ambitious. To her, vanity and imagining the beautiful are connected. Vanity can therefore also be to strive for the perfect, as a goal in life. I’ve been photographing my grandmother for several years now, exploring her alter-ego whilst wishing to express the absurdity of striving for the perfect.

For this series created for Polyester Zine we will be seeing my grandmother in her home wearing only leopard outfits. Something that has been her silent obsession for more than 60 years. I want to continuously explore my grandmothers alter ego and what makes her confident. When wearing leopard she becomes a more fierce version of herself.

Text from my grandmother: “My obsession with leopard print started already at an early age! My father, who was a most sociable and charming man, once said to me: "My dear girl, work hard on never becoming a wallflower, and life will be so much more fun"!!! Being in my teens, I studied various movie magazines and quickly discovered that many of the enviable real divas often were dressed in leopard fur or wore leopard print garments or accessories! In my naive youth I decided that this was the way to go!! Strangely enough, leopard print has remained in fashion for decades - although sometimes considered real bad taste!! I didn't care and was faithful to the leopard's spots throughout the years! And now in my eighties, my conclusion must be: Leopard or not - I have had very few dull moments in my life!!”