Another world
I know I paint a picture of doom and hopelessness on the streets of New York. There is obviously another side to the American dream here, failed or otherwise. NY Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is a sprawling, glittering circus of opulence and swagger and where I mostly earn my living. It is a corporate sponsored glam-fest where the movers and shakers in the world of fashion vie for pole position to grace the major retail outlets across the globe. PR companies, Designers, Hair and Make-up artists and some of the worlds most sought after models spend a few weeks of each year maximizing their potential and reaping the rewards. What they squander on refreshments would keep more than a few homeless families warm and fed for a year, and there is my dilemma. The two ends of this amazingly complicated human spectrum fascinates me, we are all the same at the beginning of our existence, but by the time our journey is coming to its end the differences made by the choices we have made, the society we have found ourselves in and the people who have influenced our lives are incalculable.
MBFW is over the top, crass, egocentric and some would consider it a massive waste of time, money and media coverage. It is also a necessary extravagance. Far removed from what is happening to others who spend their lives struggling to live from one day to the next. The lost and invisible are left behind while the lucky and gifted will soar into financial realms that are way beyond the average persons dreams. For ‘us’, in the middle of that swinging pendulum it helps to give some clarity our own perception of where we are in the great scheme of things as we focus on the important issues that, no matter how irrelevant to others, make our lives manageable and hopefully content. I am fortunate to play a small part in both worlds, photography is massively important to me, it drives me with a passion and the process continues to thrill me with every click of my (rather battered) Canon 5D.
As part of the ‘Homeless in America’ series, the Al Jazeera America network has filmed a short documentary on the wide ranging contrasts of my street/homeless photography and my work in the fashion industry, due to air very soon. If anyone has an interest in why, how and where I shoot the images I capture I would be happy to let you know when the broadcast dates are confirmed.
In keeping with the ‘Lust and Rum’ theme, here are some of my most recent images from ‘another world’. Planet fashion!
Designer: Venexiana
Designer: Hernan Lander
Designer: Betsey Johnson
Designer: Libertine
Designer: Reem Acra
Designer: Zang Toi
Designer: Betsey Johnson
LUST & RUM 
The vast gulf between your two worlds is pretty stark (for lack of a better word). In addition to your take on this contrast, the thought that struck me was that some of the models looked like they could use a good meal as well. the first Betsey Johnson almost looked like a parody of odds and ends thrown together for living on the streets. 🙂
PS Yes, please do let us know the broadcast date.
Beautiful photographs and you do bridge two worlds. So many things go into where we end up. High fashion, eating out of dumpsters and sleeping on the sidewalk. Anyone can end up on the street but few walk the runways. The world doesn’t make sense so it’s usually impossible to figure things out. The government (unwilling to pass laws for a simple minimum wage) is to blame for families losing their homes and being unable to survive at even the lowest level. But illness, bad breaks, born into poverty, war, drugs, inability to find work, and choices are just part of the story. It’s sad and I only see it getting worse, as things continue to fall apart.
Wonderful pics..I do not know how do you manage with both sides of the city life…..>Or just both sides of human life…I think it must be diffcicult, even if it is clear both of then co-exists everyday everywhere…I think you must have a lot of sensitivity…
Sorry! Difficult!
I would love to know the broadcast date. The dichotomy between these two worlds is indeed very arresting….such extremes that those of us in the middle find hard to imagine.
The link is now on this site, love to hear your thoughts on it.
Reblogged this on Direct From The Street – Stuff We And People Share.
Thanks for the re-blog
No problem!
Anton, so excited and can’t wait to see the broadcast!
Me too! Congratulations on your work being exposed on Al Jazeera America, Anton.
Your photos are always moving. Looking forward to your announcement about the broadcast.
Thanks Cynthia, I hope you liked the piece.
Absolutely beautiful photographs. 🙂
Thanks
Does Betsey still manage a cartwheel at the end of the show? I like the Libertine coat, and the Acra photo is gorgeous…except for that expression – what can you do?!
She does indeed still cartwheel on the runway. One of my favorite shows to shoot. Her shows are always full of energy and the models sparkle. I always get backstage access to her shows so it is a joy to photograph.
A really well-written post with incredible photos. Officially a big fan.
Thank you, very nice of you to comment!