Photographer & Writer Reinhardt Kenneth | Fashion Designer Diana Couture | Models Florensia Frosta, Evi Setiawan, Nadya Wulan, Alung Rubikal, Nandya Zaphira, Ivonne Fergie Torres, Agripina Belinda, Nicole Elianne Risakotta, Zila Lisa, Glory Natha ( R2M Models Management ) | Accessories Designer & Stylist Nahum Limantara | Hair & Makeup Artists Meliani Limantara, Chell Amos, Vivi Oktaviana
We’re all scared of something –
As a Fashion & Fine Arts Photographer, I tend to spread a message every step of the way. I want to make sure that my photographs last as a living message stuck in the back of my viewer’s eyes. I want to provoke with a powerful message, and let the photographs be an interpretive form of expression. I am fond of the exploration of the dark as well as dramatic imageries. This editorial might, for a second, seem like a generic horror movie cover/movie scene. However, the message beneath this editorial goes far deeper. A subliminal empowerment for women, I suppose.
The things that keep us up at night, whether it’s the idea of hands grabbing your feet popping out of the blanket, or the fear of more “rational” ideas, like commitment or loss. They all add up into the creation of who we truly are as living beings. Inspired by Stephen King’s “Children of the Corn” and the infamous urban legend, “Black Eyed Children”, this editorial takes fashion to a twist of taboo, to glamorize fear. In short, the fear of the “powerless children”, the minority, being the most powerful and dominant. This is a representation of our generation today standing for a revolution of women’s empowerment and feminism, often being mistaken as something scary. The black eyes of power, the tears of passion, and the couture surrounded by dignity. She is clothed with power, but they misinterpret her.
The main inspiration for Diana Couture’s collections majorly revolve around the idea of powerful but elegant women. In this editorial, we aim to show a diverse representation of women wearing Diana Couture (as well as her ready-to-wear line, DC by Diana Couture) shown as “powerful” women. Often feared, but unapologetically majestic and enigmatic. “Gatlin”, being the location from King’s “Children of the Corn” symbolizes the corn fields roamed by “powerful children”. Symbolically representing concrete jungles, females are able to independently “grow crops”, or in this case, revenues, and will stop at nothing to protect it. It’s their sacred sanctuary.
Over the years, women are often seen as taboos when they cross a certain “social standard”. Since ancient times, females like Medusa, the Sirens, Yuki Onna, Joan of Arc, to icons like Marie Antoinette and even Madonna in the 80s are seen as boundary breakers on the social standard of women being elegant and calm creatures. They are not “good mothers”, “good wives”, or “good daughters” because they express their rage. Over the years, women are truly misunderstood beings. They feel so deep that their power are feared over. Today, we celebrate the victory of females taking charge and being taken seriously, one sequin at a time. Breaking common stereotypes, women are seemingly more and more accepted as equal beings with men. This form of appreciation should be practiced more and more, while the fear of powerful women should be banished.
“Girls from Gatlin” are the Boogey Man, the Bloody Mary, and the Mr. Piggy. They are the representation of a misperception and nothing but a perfect illusion of our society today. Their pitch black eyes don’t represent intimidation, they are mere passion and determination to their independence and creativity. There are no trees to high and no concrete jungles too packed for a true independent woman, and they should be seen not as a Girl from Gatlin but as a success story. Well, maybe only for Halloween they are the Girls from Gatlin, but their passion are not costumes nor make up, but a result of hard work and passion.
