The New-York Fashion Week is not only about new collections. Photographer Keith Bedford decided to turn away from the runway and focus on the crowd.
Char Glover, top row, says she spends between $500 and $1,000 a month on fashion. Dylan Thai, bottom row, says fashion is ‘a creative network to express art in a different way through clothing.’ Keith Bedford for The Wall Street Journal
Keith Bedford has covered fashion shows for thirteen years. All these year must have opened his eyes and mind to new perspectives. This year, he attended the NYFW. But instead of photographing the looks on the runway, he decided to focus on the audience. With that many fashion freaks reunited in the same location, no wonder the artist would end up with some interesting portraits. Plus, he didn’t get crammed into a tiny space with a ton of other photographers. The artist would rather be left alone with his thoughts…
“I don’t have to worry about missing an outfit on the runway.”
Working for Reuters and The Wall Street Journal, Bedford’s portfolio goes from fashion to photojournalism. For this project he simply walked around and selected subjects that radiated confidence or had ‘ce je ne sais quoi’:
“I like the little things that people throw into their outfits. Some people have ascots, earrings or textures that really stand out when you shoot a close up.”
It seems like creativity doesn’t only come from the fashion designers…
‘Fashion means…being able to express yourself without having to follow the crowd,’ says model Badara Ndiaye, top row. ‘I like to mix street style with a little bit of edgy and chic.’ Designer MaryAnn Kaikai, botom row, estimates she spends about $3,000 each month on shoes. ‘Fashion is an excuse to get out of my comfort zone and express myself…and an excuse for me to be over the top and eclectic.’ Keith Bedford for The Wall Street JournalDenisa Palsha, top row, wears a Lola Hat by Lola Erlich and a Chanel bag, during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. ‘Fashion is everything,’ she says. ‘It’s in my mind 24 hours a day.’ Fashion stylist Tod Hallman, bottom row, wears a cool wrap blankie from Ikea, which he can wear around a coat, like a poncho or as a sarong. Fashion means ‘everything’ to him, he says. ‘There have been many versions of Tod as I’ve grown through my adult life,’ he says. Keith Bedford for The Wall Street JournalKatya Bychkova, top row, says her addiction to fashion started at age 12. ‘I grew up in Russia and there was not that much fashion there. I still have my first edition of Vogue magazine with me. When I got it my life changed,’ she says.. Artist Beau McCall, bottom row, poses for a portrait wearing a scarf he made from fashion labels in front of the tents during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. ‘I am not too much in to fashion, I’’m into style,’ he says. ’Anybody could be fashionable. Style is distinctive.’ Keith Bedford for The Wall Street JournalCiara Griffin, top row, poses during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. ‘Fashion for me is a way of self-expression,’ she says. ‘I probably spend 90% of my wages on clothes and 10% on living.’ Aaron Henrikson, bottom row, dons a rabbit fur coat that is multiple shades of burgundy, pink and creamy white. ‘We are born with whatever bodies we have. We can adjust that slightly with grooming, like hair and make-up to express ourselves,’ he says. ‘Fashion is the element that covers the most surface area on our bodies and is most visible from far away. Keith Bedford for The Wall Street JournalJacob Graham, top row, poses while wearing Stevie Boi couture sunglasses. ‘Fashion week means internationally coming together to express yourself in the highest form,’ says Mr. Graham, who spends about $1,000 a month on fashion. Artist K8 Hardy, bottom row, says none of her pieces cost more than $100. ‘Fashion is about personal style and how you hold yourself,’ she says. ‘It doesn’t matter what you have on.’ Keith Bedford for The Wall Street Journal
