In a recent blog post, I pondered whether when in doubt we always reach for a style or type of clothing we know will fit well and look good.
Always looking for sharp, natural light with a film-like quality, I realised I do the same in my photography or photographic pursuits. Bright sunshine and sharp-edged shadow are default photography conditions for me – just like opting for a favourite dress when hesitation about what to wear grips me. Clear sun that casts dramatic shadow always has me wrangling up my camera gear and heading out for a shoot.
When this dress arrived I immediately thought of a modern, screen siren and left it up to The Gardener to scout the right location The ‘story’ of the dress took a couple of weeks to conceptualise, but thinking on the shape, colour and style I knew that it would need sharp, direct light projected onto background angles.
In order to portray the story of the clothes as I see it in my head, I usually work alone. In The Gardener I’ve met someone with whom I can share a vision and bring it to life, so it is with gratitude that I can say these photos are a collaboration.
I don’t often write about what goes into the photos you see but there is most definitely a process, a lot of thought and a lot that gets left on the cutting room floor.
But the dress!
Natashya Manfield is a Sunshine Coast based designer who appeared on Project Runway 2012 before launching her own label the following year.
Natashya combines masterful tailoring with a love of feminine proportions to create collections that are bold and timeless. Think modern screen siren, or perhaps there’s a different story going on for you? I’d love to know what you think.
Her love for colour is synonymous to the label, each season selecting a strong palette and bringing it to life with unique prints.
So here’s to you Natashya with my girls on film tribute!
