FASHION Magazine

“Many of the interesting shapes featured in this photograph are duplicated,” says FASHION’s current art director, Maarten Sluyter. “The model’s hair mimics the volume of her skirt, and the V shapes are repeated. There’s a lot of contrast in this image—it’s stark white and jet black with very little grey. It makes me think of classic Man Ray or Herb Ritts photography. The model’s pose has a timeless, sculptural quality—it’s graceful, almost ballerina-like. Here, form takes the spotlight.”

“There is a dreamlike quality to this image. The Victorian-inspired parasol adds an element of mystery because the model’s eyes are concealed,” says FASHION’s current art director Maarten Sluyter. “Exploration and adventure await in this seemingly infinite desert setting.

The neutral colour palette strikes a harmonious chord while the ripples in the diaphanous skirt echo the patterns etched in the sand. It’s pure and simple, like a summer’s day.”

“This candid shot of Kirsten Owen has a strong grunge feel to it. It’s the graffiti on the wall and the dirt on the ground, and her messy blonde hair and clothes are almost anti-fashion,” says FASHION’s current art director, Maarten Sluyter.

“As a model, she was always creating other people’s moments—photographers, stylists—and this image captures her moment, her five minutes spent by herself. She seems completely unguarded and happy. It’s really street photography before street photography became a trend. Now, we see photos of models off-duty all the time, but back then most people probably wouldn’t have recognized her so dressed down. It’s about feeling comfortable, looking exactly the way she wanted to.”

“This photo captures the essence of spring: everything is vibrant and new,” says Maarten Sluyter, FASHION’s current art director. “You can almost smell the fresh air. The model featured, Liisa Winkler, studied ballet, and she brings an air of elegance and spontaneity to this shot. Her pose evokes a sense of playfulness and highlights the voluminous skirt. I love that her hair isn’t perfectly in place; it goes with the natural setting and seems to mirror the leafy trees. This is what living in the moment looks like.”

“There’s a sense of anticipation and excitement that leaps out of this photograph. I almost feel nervous for them waiting backstage,” says art director Maarten Sluyter, who joined FASHION in February 2011. “Part of the mystery of this scene is you don’t know which fashion show this could be or where it might be held. It gives the reader a glimpse into this world and allows them to dream. The black and white works extremely well because of the way the light comes into the shot from the stage. I love the models’ hair—the updos highlight their necklines beautifully. The clothes are simple. They will never lose their appeal, similar to a little black dress.”

“There’s something extremely appealing about Jessica Stam’s red hair, electric blue eyes and red lips; they stand out against the white background,” says art director Maarten Sluyter, who joined FASHION in February 2011. “The lighting is so soft and fresh, like a Sunday morning when you’re just waking up and there’s no rush to get out of bed. It makes me think of Marilyn Monroe’s last photo shoot; Stam has captured that same feeling of desire and vulnerability. Because there’s very little fashion in this shot, it has a timeless quality. I could see this photo a hundred times and never get tired of it.”