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I am a ClichĂŠ: photo
journey exploring the modernity within the new British dress code: Photography by Kristina Sergeeva, words by Jen Lea and styling by Ximena Guijarro
Eloise York and Sophie Pollard show off their current trends All Nike with Pandora accessories. Hair Extensions, Nails and Makeup provided by Toni & Guy, MAC and Burberry.
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Interviewing Kristina Sergeeva, curator of photographic article Titled ‘I am a cliché’. Kristina’s work focuses on the differences in culture and appearance that she has encountered after moving to the United Kingdom from Dubai. Can you explain a bit more about your concept? KS Since I moved from Dubai to the U.K. I have noticed a trend of what the young women wear here. Certain trends such as Sportswear (Adidas, Nike), Denim and Leather. I found it interesting to explore this as it was a trend the majority of people were following. It is not a bad thing, since moving here I’ve even bought myself a Denim jacket, Adidas originals and some hoop earrings! It shows how fast these trends are spreading and in a way, over time have the potential to become somewhat overused. Therefore, Cliché. JL How did you manage the wardrobe and what the models wore for each shot? KS They had full control over their outfits. I think that is quite an important element because if I chose what they were to wear it would be classed as stereotyping English girls, which is not what I was trying to achieve. A few images that are included in my series are of clothes they came to the shoot in, which I thought was interesting to record as well. The culture in Dubai is very different from the culture in the U.K. In Dubai we are not allowed to show our shoulders, or knees, covering up is respectful. Obviously I was living in their country I had to obey their laws. That was something that is obviously different here, especially on nights out, when I would see girls wear short skirts and tank tops, I would think in my head, ‘oh gosh, she needs to cover up!’ It’s kind of like, you are not allowed to do that, but in fact you are, I was in England now, I had to accept that was totally okay. JL No, I totally understand. It seems you are very welcoming of trends, do you think this project is to help you understand and explore British trends? KS Yes 100% having lived here for one and a half years, that type of thing is now acceptable to me. I understand and accept the fashion here and I am
genuinely inspired by it. I still have my views from the way I was brought up from the beginning, like I would never wear short clothes because that part of my Dubai culture that will always be with me. I don’t see the culture here in a negative way, it is just something that I have been able to identify. A lot of the girls here probably don’t see it as a cliché in fact, because this is just life. JL I guess that’s true actually, when you’re exposed into something so much your vision can become hazed. What made you choose the cover image? KS After looking at past Tank Magazines, I noticed some key features that most magazines include within their cover photographs. For example in a lot of the issues, the model is looking directly in the camera, and I personally think that is important because it makes her appear more powerful, confident and presents a fierce look. This presents a direct and explicit connection between the viewer and the subject. I chose to include a beauty shot because I wanted to capture the make-up, hair style, fake eye lashes and the eyebrows. I noticed that a lot of people wear fake eyelashes on nights out and I thought it would be interesting to portray that in my images. Eloise York is wearing her leotard Body Suit and Denim Jeans which I think is an outfit a lot of young have accepted today. Eloise naturally has a strong stance and interesting facial expression, she has are some of the qualities that made choosing this image a lot easier. JL Okay Cool! So outside of the fashion aspect what did you feel was the ‘British thing?’ Was it make up? Was it piercings? Was it weed? *laughs* KS Oh, a variety of those really! Before being opened to this culture, I have never seen that many piercings nor double nose piercings on anybody ever. It was quite cool. Also nipple piercings, not common in Dubai at all but very common here. Weed was definitely a big shock to me, I didn’t think that I would always be around me. Back in the U.A.E I was never exposed to drugs, as it is strictly illegal. Although, it is still illegal
it still seems to be everywhere- this was one of the biggest culture shocks since moving. JL Do you think it is because sex sells more over here?
KS Yes, in Dubai you are not allowed to have sex outside of marriage, and if you do and the wrong people find out then you will literally get deported. Because it’s illegal, everything is much harder and stricter on ex-pats in Dubai. Restrictions of being able to hold your boyfriends hands while walking in the Mall, or kissing in public must be kept to a minimum. If you are caught or if someone complains about you, you could get in trouble. JL Wow, I guess the U.K. is the complete opposite of that. We were discussing how a few of the images look as if they were shot outside of a nightclub which further contributes to the British girl stereotype. Is that something that you tried to explore? KS Actually no. When I was post processing I came across those images and I loved them! I thought they would link very well into the series because clubbing is quite a popular activity in most British girl’s lives. Therefore, I thought the aesthetic linked very well so I decided to include them. I also believe that the image is being displayed as a double page spread. JL It is quite interesting because Tank Magazine promotes high end brands, whereas you have featured brands such as Topshop, New Look etc... Why is that? KS Well as I am a student myself, and the people I was looking at were also students, we cannot afford clothes from Prada or Gucci because they we students. However, I did find aspects of the ‘high end’ brands within my models daily wardrobes, for example Tiffany and Co. necklace, Pandora Rings and Custom made body jewellery. November 2016,
Next page, all makeup by MAC. Eloise wears long sleeve black body suit from Urban Outfitters, pendant by Tiffany & Co. hair extension by Toni & Guy, paired with custom made sterling silver body jewellery. Sophie simply wears low-back bodysuit from Topshop and eyelashes by Smashbox.
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Eloise (left) wears Zara fur gilet, Levis denim and cotton poplin shirt. Sophie (right) wears New Look twopiece and Adidas sneakers.
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Sophie (top left) wears makeup by MAC, complemented by Smashbox lashes. Eloise (top right) is styled in a black bomber jacket by Ralph Lauren, simple black top- Topshop, leopard print leggings by Primark and pendant by Tiffany & Co. (bottom right) All makeup by MAC, complemented by lashes from Rimmel London UK. Next page, Sophie wears leather trousers by Zara, black high collar Primark top paired with Adidas originals.
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Sophie wears low-back bodysuit and black denim from Topshop- eyelashes by Smashbox. Eloise wears long sleeve black body suit from Urban Outfitters with Topshop ripped Lucas denim, paired with pendant by Tiffany & Co. and heeled boots by Office UK..
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Winter 2016