Slowly Revealed

Here's another peek at Freja's upcoming "Purple Naked" editorial.

The body as it was meant to be seen. The body as instrument. The body as object. The body as livelihood. The body as art. The body as fashion. The body as titillation. The body as expression. The body as identity. So many possibilities all depending on our own different interpretations. I can't wait for the final product, if only to experience the wide gamut of reactions it's sure to elicit from myself and from others.

Image Credits: purple-diary.com

Naked Purple

We have something to look forward to in the new year. It looks like Freja has done one of the infamous "Purple Naked" editorials for Purple Magazine shot by Inez and Vinoodh.

"Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin photographed 22-year old Danish model Freja Beha Erichsen, whose unabashed androgyny is living proof that you can be one of the most important models in current fashion without having to hide your tattoos or your sexuality, and without having to conform to a stereotypically female look--just like the tattoo on her right arm: 'Serendipity is Life.'"

Other notable models who have participated in this regular feature include Angela Lindvall, Lara Stone and most recently, Dree Hemingway. All were shot by Inez and Vinoodh in the same black and white, stripped down, nothing left to the imagination style and I can imagine that the same will be true for Freja.

These editorials are always so gorgeous to me because they show the pureness and rawness of the human form without pretense or judgment; just the body in all it's unabashed, natural glory. And because our society is so prudish, it's rare that we get the chance to see images like this and to appreciate the wonders of one of the most beautiful and complex forms on earth. (Side Note: I still can't understand why people were so mad about Janet Jackson's nipplegate during the Super Bowl a few years back. For crying out loud, it was just a boob and we all have them to varying degrees of size. Get over it people. Frankly, I think the world would be a much happier and better place if we all saw a little more boob-age on a daily basis.)

And maybe since the nudity is always so unashamed and proud in this Purple feature, it kind of becomes de-sexualized to my eyes and instead transforms into a work of pure art. Does that make sense? I don't know...that could just be my way of viewing things like this. I'm pretty sure my perception is slightly skewed because I don't even bat an eye anymore when I see nudity in fashion photography. Often times it's one of the last things I'll notice because I'm too busy paying attention to all the other elements like the model, the poses, the perspective, etc... You know you're abnormal when Lara Stone looks stranger clothed than nude.

Anyway, this Purple Naked editorial is interesting news. I'm excited to see Freja get more work of course, but I'm also kind of afraid of the reaction this will elicit from all the fans. I just think this could be more fuel for the fangirl fire in a bad way, but I know I'm speaking too soon because we haven't even seen the final product yet. I will say that I'm disappointed this editorial will focus once again on Freja's androgyny. That's such an old meme. But perhaps at this point it's what she's known for and her trademark, so I should just get over it and accept the fact that it will be impossible for people to separate the two. At least she's consistently getting work right?

Though, I ask you this: Is it better to be famous for one thing to the point where it becomes a handicap, even though you owe your longevity to it? Or is it better to be malleable even if it means you'll fade away? I don't think it has to be either or and I'm just waiting for someone else to think the same way.

This is getting insanely long so I'll leave you with two more things to mull over. We'll undoubtedly see a full frontal nudity shot, so does this mean we'll finally get to see what the infamous 15th tattoo looks like? And this is the closest that we've ever gotten to official confirmation about Freja's sexuality so I wonder, why now? Why in this way? Oh Freja. Just when I think I have you all figured out, you go and do something to show me that the only thing I know for sure is that I know nothing at all.

Image Credits: purple-diary.com

Photography, Politics and Purple

Freja's Purple Magazine editorial is up, thanks to candlebougie at tFS. And depending on your sex, your opinion about the exploitative tendencies of the fashion industry, and your views on sexual politics, you're either going to love it or hate it.

Best of the Season
Purple Magazine FW0910
Ph: Terry Richardson
(note: this is not the complete editorial, only pictures with Freja)

Look, I've taken my share of feminist theory classes but it's not my place to tell you how you should feel about this editorial. You're initial, gut reaction to the images is what you should use to gauge how you feel about Terry Richardson, his work and his "artistic" approach. Not what other people say, not what you think you should feel, not what you think is politically correct, not how you feel about the models.

As much as I want to go off right now, this blog isn't the place for me to pass judgment on Terry, the fashion industry that's embraced his approach, or the agents and models who are permissive and complicit in his image making. As much as I want to, I'm going to refrain and hold my tongue. (And I know that most of you, scratch that, all of you don't want to read a rant about patriarchy, the male gaze, the marginalization of lesbianism, yadda, yadda, yadda.)

However, I do want to do an interesting comparison. On the one hand, you have this editorial above that was photographed by a heterosexual male. On the other hand, you have this editorial below that was photographed by a homosexual female.

Clean Living
i-D Magazine February 2009
Ph: Collier Schorr

It's interesting to note the similar subject matter (in that there is nudity and Freja), yet completely differing end results. In fact, it's striking to me how different the images feel, how different Freja is portrayed, and how different I feel in response. Perhaps the differences are so stark to me because I know about both photographers and their histories. This hits home the point that photography absolutely depends on the gaze behind the lens and the gaze of the consumer as much as, if not more than what is captured within the frame.

There are different narratives and hierarchies behind all photographs that we see, separate from the ones contained within the actual images. They color our perceptions, perhaps without our knowing it. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there is no such thing as objectivity, for nothing exists in a vacuum. This is what makes photography such an interesting medium. It exists under a guise of objectivity because it purports to capture the "real." However, photography is just as constructed and affected as any other medium of art. The fact that it is so entrenched and intertwined with the production of fashion says something...I just don't really know what yet.

The more you know about social issues and politics and the more you experience those things first hand, the harder it will be to divorce certain ideas from your mind when you view these images...any images. So despite any enjoyment I may have from seeing two of my favorite models together in this editorial and seeing Freja's beautiful smile once again, Terry's reputation precedes itself and that's just something I can't overlook right now.

I'd love to hear what you feel and why because other opinions are always appreciated, no matter how different from my own they may be.

Image Credits: fashionista.com, scans by tFS member candlebougie

Purple Magazine Cover

Woot!

First Purple cover for Freja...the September issue no less! And first time being shot by Terry Richardson...I think? She looks vicious, ferocious and so different from anything we've seen from her before. Wow, I'm excited. I hope there's an ed inside. I just have to get my hands on this. Judging from previews, there's also a fabulous ed with Abbey Lee, Eniko and Magdalena inside.

Image Credit: purple-diary.com