THE STYLISH IMAGE
I am always interested in seeing photographers roam the streets of Brisbane City. Who are they? Why are they photographing people? Should I readjust my hair incase they come this way? I kid on the last of course, but seriously, I do question what they are doing. I often think photographers hold all the answers: they know what looks good and what should be snapped. The Stylish Image, created by Jonathan Ra is a street style blog which celebrates Brisbane-ites who display an impeccable sense of fashion and self representation. I had the pleasure to ask Jonathan a few questions about the blog, his ideas on style and trends, and Brisbane's most common fashion faux pas.
Tell us about The Stylish Image.
The Stylish Image is a Brisbane-based street style project blog, although photos from other places may turn up every so often. All of the images are shot typologically as head to toe portraits. All of the people are dressed as I found them, I've never arranged to meet anyone to be photographed for The Stylish Image.
How did you get started?
I used to spend a lot of time in city trying my hand at a more traditional style street photography (not to be confused with street style) in the city but I quickly became bored of it and the photos I was getting. During this time interestingly styled people would walk by and I would think to myself wouldn't it be great to stop and photograph them. So starting a street style project seemed like the greatest fusion of my interest in photography and style. I always felt very inspired in my own dressing from looking at street style in blogs, books and magazines, I feel as though street style helps to anchor what trends we see pushed in the fashion and textiles industry in a realistic context. When you photograph people in their own clothes you get a much more authentic feeling from the images and fashion, you rarely get in most fashion editorial and advertising. I started with a few photos of friends around University to build up my confidence and then began photographing people on the street not long after.
Define good style.
Good style feels like a poetry between between all the pieces of clothing, hair style, shoes, accessories and attitude all fitting together in beautiful way like they belong with one another. Its about being consistent too not only in linking the pieces but always presenting yourself well no matter the situation day to day. The look has to exude a confidence to it, you have look like you care about your appearance but haven't overdone it. I like to think the people I photograph dress well every day, putting effort into how they look and I've often found this when I happen upon them again. Elements of self-expression really help to make something great too, if a look is seen over and over again it falls out of vogue.
How would you describe Brisbane's dress sense in comparison to the major fashion capitals of Australia like Sydney and Melbourne?
I think because of our climate people aren't as likely to layer and really build up outfits with heavy fabrics and draping. We only really touch upon heavy set winter items. Black clothing is definitely more dominant in Melbourne too. You often see a lot of current season overseas designer pieces being worn in Sydney and Melbourne, where as pieces worn in Brisbane are more staple in their appearance.
When scouting people to photograph, what catches your eye?
Well I'd put that under good style I suppose. I really like to photograph people out of the ordinary realms of style that you might see in Vogue or Elle. I want a series of images that differ in style from one another. I don't believe there is one overall style that sits above others, each look can be done just as well as anyone other.
What can ruin an outfit?
Shoes seem like a make or break part of an outfit often when I'm looking for someone to photograph. The fit and cut seem to be the most important aspect in suiting, where as dresses can be more lenient of it. Bad hair grooming is another off-putting aspect. Some people think that by wearing one really good piece like an expensive dress and forgetting the other parts of the outfit justifies the outfit as a whole, but this is a huge mistake. I suppose not making it look like you've made an effort counts the most.
What is trending in Brisbane (fashion) right now?
Our trends aren't too different to any other city but the Riot Grrrl punk eclecticism with a bit of rockabilly thrown in look is very popular at the moment (Creepers resurging with this trend). The rolled up trouser leg with no socks look is very popular too. I don't feel as though there are really any strong trends right now that are beyond magazines harping over something we might have forgot about and heralding it as the next big thing.
Finally, why is style important?
Style is important as it is a means of self-expression; how important you measure self-expression is really up to you. I think it is nice to see good style and people expressing themselves. Dressing well in some styles is still considered a sign of respect and respect is important. People who tend to appreciate style are usually a lot more educated and (worldly) wiser than those who can't, which I think is nice.
http://thestylishimage.tumblr.com/
Tell us about The Stylish Image.
The Stylish Image is a Brisbane-based street style project blog, although photos from other places may turn up every so often. All of the images are shot typologically as head to toe portraits. All of the people are dressed as I found them, I've never arranged to meet anyone to be photographed for The Stylish Image.
How did you get started?
I used to spend a lot of time in city trying my hand at a more traditional style street photography (not to be confused with street style) in the city but I quickly became bored of it and the photos I was getting. During this time interestingly styled people would walk by and I would think to myself wouldn't it be great to stop and photograph them. So starting a street style project seemed like the greatest fusion of my interest in photography and style. I always felt very inspired in my own dressing from looking at street style in blogs, books and magazines, I feel as though street style helps to anchor what trends we see pushed in the fashion and textiles industry in a realistic context. When you photograph people in their own clothes you get a much more authentic feeling from the images and fashion, you rarely get in most fashion editorial and advertising. I started with a few photos of friends around University to build up my confidence and then began photographing people on the street not long after.
Define good style.
Good style feels like a poetry between between all the pieces of clothing, hair style, shoes, accessories and attitude all fitting together in beautiful way like they belong with one another. Its about being consistent too not only in linking the pieces but always presenting yourself well no matter the situation day to day. The look has to exude a confidence to it, you have look like you care about your appearance but haven't overdone it. I like to think the people I photograph dress well every day, putting effort into how they look and I've often found this when I happen upon them again. Elements of self-expression really help to make something great too, if a look is seen over and over again it falls out of vogue.
How would you describe Brisbane's dress sense in comparison to the major fashion capitals of Australia like Sydney and Melbourne?
I think because of our climate people aren't as likely to layer and really build up outfits with heavy fabrics and draping. We only really touch upon heavy set winter items. Black clothing is definitely more dominant in Melbourne too. You often see a lot of current season overseas designer pieces being worn in Sydney and Melbourne, where as pieces worn in Brisbane are more staple in their appearance.
When scouting people to photograph, what catches your eye?
Well I'd put that under good style I suppose. I really like to photograph people out of the ordinary realms of style that you might see in Vogue or Elle. I want a series of images that differ in style from one another. I don't believe there is one overall style that sits above others, each look can be done just as well as anyone other.
What can ruin an outfit?
Shoes seem like a make or break part of an outfit often when I'm looking for someone to photograph. The fit and cut seem to be the most important aspect in suiting, where as dresses can be more lenient of it. Bad hair grooming is another off-putting aspect. Some people think that by wearing one really good piece like an expensive dress and forgetting the other parts of the outfit justifies the outfit as a whole, but this is a huge mistake. I suppose not making it look like you've made an effort counts the most.
What is trending in Brisbane (fashion) right now?
Our trends aren't too different to any other city but the Riot Grrrl punk eclecticism with a bit of rockabilly thrown in look is very popular at the moment (Creepers resurging with this trend). The rolled up trouser leg with no socks look is very popular too. I don't feel as though there are really any strong trends right now that are beyond magazines harping over something we might have forgot about and heralding it as the next big thing.
Finally, why is style important?
Style is important as it is a means of self-expression; how important you measure self-expression is really up to you. I think it is nice to see good style and people expressing themselves. Dressing well in some styles is still considered a sign of respect and respect is important. People who tend to appreciate style are usually a lot more educated and (worldly) wiser than those who can't, which I think is nice.
http://thestylishimage.tumblr.com/
