Birds can be at once synonymous with colourful beauty as much as they are with the soaring freedom of flight. As humans we envy the earth’s avian inhabitants for both qualities. We mimic the plumage of exotic species – or we steal it. We dream of the liberty that having wings would bring.
In this shoot by Xi Sinsong each outfit, each photograph, pays homage of the vibrant beauty and the freedom of birds.
In one shot a flock of birds thickly clouds the sky; in another a single feather floats across an otherwise unoccupied horizon. The symbol of flighty freedom is always there be it in the movements of the model or in the billowing silk and exotic colourways of Emma Bess’ styling. And then of course there’s the feathers: look closely and you’ll notice these visually striking accessories are at times part of the original photograph, at times illustrated in. It’s a realisation that makes you appreciate Sinsong’s series more each time you revisit it.
Click on the thumbnails above to view the full gallery of Xi Sonsong’s hybrid of fine art and fashion.
The shoot appears in issue 10 of Bambi Magazine – be sure to check out the full issue at that link.
