Dear Clémentine,
In my life, granted I'm only twenty-one, I must have looked at thousands and thousands of photographs. But I can confidently say you took my favourite one.
In the image, which was part of the collaboration you did with Alexander McQueen in 2021 for your "It's Called Ffasiwn" project, you can see five girls wearing light lilac dresses with red accessories on a beach. They are holding their dresses up and facing away from the camera as they dip their feet into the shallows of the water. The sun is soft, golden and pink as it shines on the girls. They are close together and a sense of camaraderie and shared experiences is conveyed. Their physical proximity implies a strong bond. The girls are dipping their feet into the water while holding up their dresses, which creates a sense of unity and connectedness. It also gives the image a sense of playfulness and innocence. It releases an inner child in the viewer.
The photograph acts as a reminder that social connections and shared experiences can have a profound impact on the relationships we have with others. That shared experience could be as simple as starting to wear lipgloss or it could include broader issues. As viewers, we may not understand fully the specific struggles faced by these girls and their communities. Still, from this image, we can understand the importance of community, empathy, and shared experiences. It is beyond beautiful.
There was a time when my camera felt heavy and neglected. Photography was once a source of joy, but this had become a distant memory. I was stuck in my head and becoming afraid of my camera and afraid to take photos. Seeing your work helped me see the world in a different way, and I felt inspired once more. I began looking at work that sought to do more than just hang on a wall and I started to make work that is unbelievably fulfilling and makes a difference not just to me but to my community.
Without you, I'm not sure what my relationship with photography would look like. I know it wouldn't be as vibrant, fun, challenging, rewarding, playful or empowering.
Thank you,
Your not so secret admirer!
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