This work created by Luke Bryant and Paul Aaron, is a challenge to pre-conceived ideas about Liverpool and the North West. Paul Aaron’s dazzling pieces draw inspiration from his ‘working class upbringing, sex workers, the taboo subjects and side hustles’. They meet with Luke Bryant’s visual style characterised by boldness, joy and colourful textures; creating a series of images that put a smile on your face and spotlight the undeniable but often ignored beauty of the North West
“I really wanted to celebrate Paul. His work is stunning and I knew it would be a pleasure to photograph. In terms of how we wanted the work to look, people say it all the time but I really wanted to take what has come before in the fashion and photography greats of the twentieth century but give it a clear 2020s energy. I feel like Paul’s work does that so well anyway.
It’s a celebration of the North as well, this set of images and the work wouldn’t exist without the North of England, specifically Liverpool. Having just moved back to London it felt like the time to shine a spotlight on Liverpool in the most unsubtle and in your face way. That part of England isn’t really associated with this kind of fashion and art but it really is alive and kicking up there, so the intention was to bring that culture to a new audience who might have an outdated view of what the North West is” – Luke Bryant – Photographer
“Shooting with Luke was a long time coming, he’s always super chill – no stress. Super happy we got to create some magic, finally. My pieces are inspired by my working class upbringing, sex workers, the taboo subjects and side hustles nobody wants to talk about – but we shouldn’t be shaming people for their work / lifestyle and how they make their money / get their serotonin boost. It’s hard out here.
I like to take luxurious materials, Japanese glass beads, Japanese yarns and chain rhinestones and turn them into something that looks tacky and cheap – yet beautiful. I don’t believe luxury clothing has to be modest, or has to have a classic silhouette. I like to change it up, be rough around the edges.
The idea for the first ever look I made in this style was a Vegas showgirl. Imagine she had one incredible costume, she had no money to buy more, but the costume kept breaking over the years as she was performing. She never threw it out, she just kept knotting the chains back on to the pieces, whatever falls off, she would sew back on, in a new area. The garment changes over the years but it tells the story of her life. It’s an ode to being able to protect and keep an item of clothing, no matter how damaged it may get- repair it. Get creative. It won’t look the same, but that’s the beauty of it.” – Paul Aaron, Designer
Designer: Paul Aaron
Photographer and Creative Director: Luke Bryant
Studio: The Yeti Studio
Backdrop: Blackhurst & Co
Movement Director: Kolade Ladipo
Models: Mei Black, Joshua Adedoyin