Words and Images: 'Expensive' by Fadli Rahman
Expensive
Fadli Rahman enjoys toying with the controversial. The vivacious photographer, who is as animated as his work is (whether it involves vivid light paintings, sexy male models or super glamorous fashion), even went drag for a cinematic series of self- portraits inspired by Malay films of the ’60s. This shoot is no less thought-provoking. “There’s a refugee crisis. Wars. We can’t present fashion in a way that’s so in-your-face when there are more important things going on in the world,” he explains. “So I’ve gone back to the classics: the pearls, the Marilyn Monroe hair. I’ve tried to capture beauty that has withstood the test of time, especially in times of austerity.” His source of inspiration: a Steven Meisel photograph of swimsuit-clad Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell, each standing with a cigarette in hand. “It’s so elegant, but fun.”
Styling Allysha Nila
Hair Grego Oh using La Biosthetique / Glamours SG
Makeup Sha Shamsi using Chanel Beauty
Model Tereza Smeljakova / AVE
1) Cotton embroidered jacket with mink fur, Prada.
Yellow gold and diamond Cactus de Cartier earrings and rings, Cartier.
2) Silk one-piece, Miu Miu.
Pearl Akoya necklace with diamond clasps; gold pearl necklace, and South Sea pearl ring, Mikimoto.
3) Satin dress, calfskin heels and neoprene rings, Moschino.
4) Cloque fabric swimsuit with floral appliqués; cotton wrap-tie skirt; plexiglass and plastic wedges, Miu Miu.
Neoprene rings, Moschino.
5) Calfskin dress and stretch sock boots, Fendi.
