So after trying to figure out how I felt about Tavi this week: Genius writer with a unique inner voice who’s been elevated to the rightful spot at the pinnacle of the fashion world? Or a relative child who’s been propelled to the top way before her time because of the freakish novelty? Hmm… And then I read about another young fashion blog, and I felt totally different. It was cool, refreshing, interesting. It was like reading Tavi pre-J.D. Salinger comparisons and Harper’s Bazaar columns.
At first glance the images on Acrylic Nails Photography look like any other edgy fashion photos, the poses cribbed straight off the pages off of Vogue. But with closer inspection, there’s an eerie quality. The models are practically children playing dress up–but they’re really nailing it. The styling, the photography–it’s all amazing. A mirrored image of what the fashion world pumps out, after you’ve tumbled through the looking glass.
The photo blog is shot guerrilla style all over LA by five 14-year-old eighth graders, an after-school pastime they’ve pursed since they were fifth graders. They started out with a camera phone, but have now upgraded to a Canon EOS D5 digital camera, which was given to them by the group’s makeup artist and model, Syd Lynch, from her grandfather, filmmaker David Lynch. Walker Bunting, who created the site, is the stylist and photographer.
Syd Lynch, makeup artist, model and granddaughter of legendary filmmaker David Lynch. More photos from Acrylic Nails Photography after the break.
Oh this is fabulous. What creative girls!
Amy: I know, right? I have to clarify that the creator/photographer/stylist of the site is a boy. 😉 The rest of the group is girls though. I am glad you liked it!
incredible!
yep, glad you liked this. 🙂
SORRY, FUDDY DUDDY ALERT..
true, but it’s kind of a shame that they’re aping the sleazy broken down doll aesthetic in a lot of the images. before their first driver’s license. and i like these types of images with a little edge, darkness, and even grime, but i’d like them a ton more if they were modeled by the 18 & older. i know that 15 year olds are starting to experience their own sexuality, etc etc, but i’m just naturally protective of the innocence of youth and developing at an emotionally healthy rate. seeing so much sternum, almost underboob, and trashy lingerie up-to-there is just squicky. i can pick out artistic achievements like the whisper pink house mimicking the color of her outfit, but they’ve demonstrated it themselves in other images that it can be interesting, aesthetic, and appropriate all in one, and not make me want to sanitize my eyes.
of course, teens aren’t generally known for their restraint, coy or demureness. and i remember how exciting it was to wear something sexier and more grown-up than you’ve ever been allowed to before. but then again, i wasn’t wearing lace-trimmed silk that barely covered my ass, in public.
on a more pro note, that washing machine image is pretty super.
Kat, I was curious what you’d think of this! I agree that the washing machine shot is super. And I agree that it’s slightly skeevy how undone they are. But I didn’t find them sexualized in a world where girls that age are continuously sexualized ala Miley Cyrus. Perhaps because the kids themselves are styling and photographing the pictures they seem less creepily manufactured by some omnipresent old ad executive dude.
the photographer is a boy, and there is another boy in the group as well.