photographer / director / publisher
FASHION DIRECTION BY INDIRA CESARINE
This selection of work includes recent productions as a Fashion Editor as well as some of the first shoots I styled. I included several shoots which were photographed by other photographers, where I only did the styling (Red Carpet Drama, Blondfire & Purity Ring shoots). In the majority of the work I also did the photography – so keep a look out for the credits. Included is an article I wrote from the first fashion week I officially covered (New York Fashion Week 1995), I did the backstage photos as well as attended the shows as an editor.
The primary focus of my career was always photography, but from the beginning I also worked as an editor for multiple publications. The first magazine I started working for regularly named me “Editor at Large”, and I oversaw not only fashion weeks in New York and London on behalf of the publication, but also produced a fashion and entertainment story for each issue. I always did the photography, and I usually collaborated with a stylist – although sometimes I styled the shoots myself. I also wrote numerous articles and interviewed designers that inspired me for the publication. The magazine closed after about 4 or 5 years in production, and I moved on to focus solely on photography.
After several years working non-stop as a photographer, I started to miss the editorial involvement I had as an editor. In 2007 I became the “Fashion Editor at Large” of Canadian publication Lush Magazine. I had been covering fashion weeks in New York, Paris and London on behalf of the publication for several years, and produced shoots for every issue, so the transition to editor was an easy one. One of my productions included interviewing and shooting the collection of Ungaro by designer Estaban Cortezar. I loved his collection for the brand, although he was only there a short time. After several years working with Lush Magazine, I launched The Untitled Magazine, which gave me the creative freedom to work not only as a photographer but to also focus on my work as a fashion director and journalist. I love the creative process of editorials, and the clothing is a massive part of the vision. I have styled many shoots for the publication shot by other photographers, as well as styled shoots I photographed.
In the pre-production stage I always research the various collections that I think are right for the shoot, and prepare a mood board of hair, makeup and fashion direction. I prefer to actually go to the showrooms myself to pick out the best pieces, as it’s always better to see the samples in person if possible, although sometimes we have to just call in the pieces I want, if an appointment isn’t feasible. Sometimes I collaborate with another stylist on set – who can focus on dressing the talent while I am shooting. I also usually have several fashion assistants who work with me to assist not only with pick ups and returns of the samples but the inventory and other preparations that are required with the clothing. It is challenging to say the least to fashion direct and shoot at the same time, but I find that many of the shoots wherein I have done both are amongst my favorites. I not only get the vision exactly how I want it – I can prepare the creative direction in a way that is entirely unique to my work – from the casting and locations to the clothing, hair and make-up, and achieve images that I can say are entirely my own. Recently I have been taking on commissions to style celebrities for events, which is another side to fashion that is always exciting. Of course the other perk is attending all of the incredible fashion shows!
