24.06.09
Simon Foxton Exhibition Curator Penny Martin Interview
Penny Martin is the curator of 'When You're a Boy: Mens Fashion Styled by Simon Foxton, an exhibition of photography styled by Simon Foxton. A full exclusive interview with Simon features in this months Professional Photographer magazine out now.
When and how did you become aware of Simon’s work?
I saw quite a bit of it in i-D in the late 80s and 90s but I didn't start really thinking about it until I wrote a piece in 2000 that referenced the 1991 series he created with Jason Evans, 'Strictly'
How did you begin to curate the show?
I saw Brett Rogers, Director of The Photographers' Galley at the opening of their fashion photography exhibition, 'Fashion in the Mirror' last summer and she asked me whether I'd be interested. I thought it would be interesting to think about fashion imagery through the lens of a stylist rather than a photographer.
Was Simon very involved in the choices of images?
Yes, we have worked on the edits together. It has been great fun.
How do you feel photographers respond to Simon’s involvement on a shoot?
I don't think I know anyone else in the fashion industry that has so much goodwill shown towards them. Photographers have a lot of respect for Simon because he's got such great taste, without ever being high-handed
or overly reverential towards fashion itself. He just loves creating images. Plus he's a really fun presence on set.
What makes a great stylist?
Exquisite taste, a broad reference point and being unafraid of ignoring seasonal trends. And, in Simon's case, a sense of humour.
Do you feel that by taking the images out of their original magazine environment and putting them in a gallery space that you are giving them a new relevance?
A new context, yes, relevance I'm not sure. I think all kinds of photography should be exhibited in galleries but we're not trying to assert Simon's work as art.
Does it remove them from the world of fashion?
I don't think so, no. The images' original source will be stipulated and it will be clear that they are fashion photographs.
How would you describe Simon’s role within the fashion and photographic world?
Simon is a visionary fashion image-maker who has helped define the field of styling and men's fashion photography over the past twenty-five years. He is credited with helping to introduce sportswear into mainstream
fashion, also for popularising the use of black male models and continues to create innovative and imaginative work to this day. He's immensely important.
Do you think that after this exhibition were going to see a whole load of young fashion designers wanting to be stylists and photographers understanding the importance of a stylist?
Like 'DJ' and 'model', 'stylist' is one of the most popular job aspirations for young people. I suspect, however, that few of them know what it entails beyond selecting clothes and dressing models. 'When You're A Boy' isn't a 'how-to' exhibition, but I hope it will communicate what differentiates a truly great stylist from those you see on make-over TV and weekly celebrity magazines!
For information on the exhibition visit http://www.professionalphotographer.co.uk/Exhibitions/June/When-you-re-a-Boy-Men-s-fashion-styled-by-Simon-Foxton
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