HORSES IN FASHION

By Danielle Skernman

As I flick through the latest magazines to keep up-to-date with the fashion industry, time after time I see horses as accessories in designer ‘photo-shoots’. The dreamy and fantasy image of a gorgeous horse is adding to marketer’s desired effect to capture people’s attention. This has inspired and motivated me to combine my two passions … horses and fashion photography.

World-renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz is an example of how the trend in the fashion world now makes the most of horses. She recently photographed a rearing grey stallion with soccer legend David Beckham riding as part of her fairytale series. We just might need to start a horse modelling agency!

Horses now feature in all sorts of portraiture, sport and fashion editorials and even high-end advertising. Just like the famous movie title ‘There’s Something About Mary’, ‘there’s-something-about-horses’ that adds to a shoot. As in the fashion industry, not just any model will do nor just any horse! The right look, height, colour, temperament and even abilities need to be taken into consideration when selecting the ‘perfect model’.

It was an easy decision as to which horse to photograph, as I had previously shot another fashion shoot with ‘The Wizzard’, the magnificent stallion, owned by Shirley Sim and the stud Cavallo Nero Friesians. I knew instantly that he would be perfect, as ‘Wizz’ is a beautiful baroque style Friesian with a magnificent curly main and tail and these were the right ingredients in order to create my ‘romantic dreamy’ effect.

One of the golden rules is never to work with children or animals but this isn’t the case with ‘Wizz’ as he is the sweetest natured and most obliging stallion that I’ve seen around. He is also training in classical Spanish horsemanship which I knew would also be useful.

The other stallion I chose, and was lucky enough for David and Christine of A La Castina to provide to us, was their classically trained Andalusia stallion ‘Lusito’. The stunning grey would compliment and contrast with ‘The Wizard’s’ black coat. It is essential that a horse has the classical training and be able to move in a certain way. I am then able to add more to the shoot re-creating the amazing vision that has been floating around in my head and refusing to go away.

My vision consisted of the two horses performing the levade (rearing) and bowing. I do feel this style of training is important not only for the trick factor, but also for the existing connection and relationship of classical trained Spanish horses with romance.

So I go though my checklist … Looks … check, temperament … check, height and colour … double check and last but not least, ability … check! I have my two best-suited equine models! I now had to concentrate on my female models. At the same time as developing the concept, I was documenting my call sheet. A call sheet provides all the process information in order to make it happen and is commonly used in both the film and stills (photography) industry. It provides the who, what, where and when.

THE WHO … I was in contact with one of my favourite MUA (make-up artists), Veronika Moreira of LePhunk, and the ever creative and amazing hair stylists of X-Lox (Lyndall Vile and Lynn Nguyen). I had my four-legged models and I now needed the two-legged variety. It was very important to me that the models had some experience around horses and did not fear them. On previous shoots, I had worked with two wonderful agency models who posed a complementary, yet different, look … a blonde and a brunette. As I was impressed with the professionalism and results of my previous shoots I approached them both to see how they would feel doing a shoot with horses. Well, needless to say both were in! The leggy blonde, Lindsay Peacock, has childhood experience with horses and the delightful Abigail O’Neill is also comfortable around horses, having owned one in the past – how perfect! Dealing with horses, let alone stallions, can be difficult. I’m sure you can appreciate the importance of not having nervous models.

THE WHAT … What styling … what accessories … what MU (make-up) … what hair. The girls were going to be styled by the celebrity designer/design house BORA. BORA was kind enough to supply their absolutely gorgeous couture outfits for the day. As for make-up and hair, I entrusted my team with the concept and they did a fantastic job!

THE WHERE … For the location, I knew that I wanted something really special and not just a paddock or random field. It needed to portray romance for the shoot. The hunt for a unique backdrop began and the minute I saw this location I knew that it was perfect. The romantic old sandstone church had been lovingly converted into a home. Vines growing up the sandstone walls and the old wooden and iron door all added flavour to the enchanting location. Securing the use of the property did take some smooth talking (this included some serious grovelling and begging!) before the owners kindly agreed.

THE WHEN … All the hard work and long plans and scheduling had been put into place as the set date came along rather quickly.

My assumption is that most fashion shoots are shot by ‘non-horsey’ people with little input from the horse owners. This has become apparent with the final images of horses depicted with their ears pinned back and on occasion seeing the whites of their eyes. Sometimes the horse has been photographed at a terrible angle and it looks very little like the graceful animal that it is in real life. With this in mind, I took to creating a beautiful fashion shoot with the theme of ‘fantasy, fashion and the dream horse’.

While the models were being manicured, so were the stallions! They had their own entourage, make-up and mane styling. Once all were prepped, the shooting began. Everyone performed wonderfully and it was exciting for the gathered crew and crowd to watch Lusito perform amazing levade after levade.

Mr Wizz (‘the wizzard’) took to modelling like a seasoned pro, the girls climbed all over him with draping dresses – not one prima donna complaint from him as he seemed to be enjoying himself. He did exactly as he was told and struck a pose with ears forward and held it! What a gem!

It was Lusito’s turn again after a well earned break and a little touch up of the mane and make-up and he was ready. He was bowing to Abigail and was wonderful. Just like Mr Wizz, he performed like a seasoned pro, struck his pose and held it … how magnificent to watch.

Three quarters of the way through our shoot a massive electrical storm hit, and to the amusement of those watching, I was the one who jumped ten feet as a large clap of thunder sounded. At this point I was convinced that Wizz wasn’t really real as nothing seemed to disturb him from eating his hay.

The storm was directly above us and a few of us did get drenched. However, within an hour the storm had passed and the sun was out once more. We finished the shoot and wrapped up an eventful and enjoyable day for all.

The growing interest and desire for horses in fashion has increased my workload for fashion designer advertising photoshoots. Maybe a horse modelling agency may not be such a silly idea after all!

DIRECT SHOTS –

Danielle Skerman www.directshots.com.au danielle@directshots.com.au

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