Despite the fact that fashion is constantly in flux there are issues which, time and time again, raise their heads. The fat versus skinny model polarises more than most, while the role of
Photoshop in the fashion industry often attracts the most amount of derision. When I last touched on that very issue the model who brought it into focus was Kate Moss. Moss had just been revealed as the face of Valisere Lingerie’s 2010 campaign, and it was a heavily photoshopped face. Though Photoshop had clearly been liberally applied I refued to attack its use, the debate pointless. After all, it’s my firm belief that we the consumer want Photoshop to be used – the alternative is an advertising and fiction-based landscape filled with less-than-perfect people, and reality provides us enough of that.
Now self service gives you the opportunity to make up your own mind on the issue. Their 33rd issue gives us a look at Kate Moss (I feel it unfair that the debate keeps focussing on her, but other models aren’t as game) as she really is. This is Kate Moss raw. Kate Moss untouched, unphotoshopped. Kate Moss ripe for comparison between reality and fantasy.
Below you’ll find pictures from Kate Moss‘ photoshoot, as lensed by Juergen Teller, in the latest issue of self service magazine. Click through them and see a rare glimpse into her life, her home, and Kate Moss the person, not Kate Moss the woman who can sell a million items of clothing. Then take a look at her campaign for Valisere lingerie.
The differences between the two are obvious, which makes the next bit difficult: it won’t be easy to make up your mind as to which you prefer. On a side-by-side comparison I prefer the natural beauty Moss still has and that self service offers up, the story behind the photo shoot being far more appealing. Yet take the natural beauty of this look at her life, apply it to an ad campaign such as Valisere’s and I wouldn’t like it in the least. Ad campaigns, and most photo shoots, are trying to sell something, and when sold to I want to be sold a fantasy. self service is offering up something akin to photojournalism, and there I want reality.
Feel free to let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment on Fashionising.com’s Photoshop and fashion editorial.
