A fine-tuned clash of styles dominates photographer Damien Fry’s exclusive fashion editorial for SLEEK. Here, amongst fields of wheat and sunburnt furrows of dead grass, and rainbow streamers rippling in the wind, the masculine and feminine merge. These nostalgia-hued images of an alternative English countryside are a particularly ethereal departure for Fry, who has previously lensed the likes of Miley Cyrus, Carley Rae Jepson and Erin O’Connor. Instead, these fluid and romantic images transport us to another world, recalling old photos of Woodstock perhaps, or your parent’s youthful holiday snaps. According to Fry, the story is inspired by “traditional May-day celebrations that were not traditionally Christian”. Instead, the series sings with a “slightly anarchic, contemporary feel” that is — as the photographer says — “a nice fuck you to gender-specific roles”. Indeed, what brings this series into the present is the sensitivity with which the models are portrayed. Clothes — from the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Malene Oddershede Bach, and Joshua Millard — are overlayed and collaged together in dreamy looks ideal for frolicking in the rolling English fields.
We caught up with the photographer to ask him about his process, his influences, and what’s next.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself/your work? What is your process like?
I feel that the current conversation in art, music and fashion is so diverse and open to experimentation at the moment. Things have changed rapidly in the last ten years, socially, politically and environmentally. The entire landscape of the art world is changing and forcing new discussions about how we approach our work ethic and final objectives.
Analogue photography I feel is an excellent tool for retaining some truth and honesty. We are constantly bombarded with digitally manipulated imagery, and stepping away from that is a healthy thing to do. Analogue is a very considered process and provokes the photographer to take time over each image. I also believe that the editing process is much better because you are limited by the number of rolls of film you have. Saying that, I don’t think giving up digital is ever going to happen.
How do you work with models to get the desired effect from your images?
I am always intrigued to find out more about the models I shoot. Everyone has a story to tell and having that one to one conversation onset is about trust and respect for each other, I think that exchange of dialogue is key to making a story work.
Who is your biggest inspiration in fashion right now?
There are way too many inspiring artists out there working in the fashion industry right now to pinpoint one! Some top pics from my Insta include, Ibriham Kamara, Lotta Volkova, Xiangyu Liu, Viviane Sassen, Kristine Lee Molman, Nadine Ijewere, Ikram Adbi Omar, Aweng Mayen Chuol, Demna Gvasalia, Princess Nokia, Craig Green, Harley Weir, and Vivienne Westwood.
Is there any subject or theme you’ve been particularly interested in lately?
Probably going to sound quite dark but I have been through a lot of stuff this year: Toxic masculinity. Loss. Addiction. Ghosting. Narcissism. Waste. Refuge. Asylum. Hope. Regrowth. Change.
Finally, what are you working on next?
I am hoping to go back to Calais and Lesvos at some point to carry on with the projects I started out there over the summer, and I have also been working on a zine which I think will be out in the New Year if all goes to plan! Other than that its business, as usual, working on new editorial commissions for SS19 and looking forward to moving to New York.
All images courtesy of Damien Fry.