Alek Wek by Talia Chetrit for Re-Edition No.8 A/W 2017

Photographer: Talia Chetrit. Model(s): Alek Wek. Source: Re-Edition Magazine. Stylist: Jodie Barnes. Makeup: Fara Homidi.

Posted Oct 19, 2017

Alek Wek wields herself into a number of brave positions in “Do You Go To the Temple Tonight” by Talia Chetrit for Re-Edition No.8, AW 2017. I see this piece as a work of physical artistry. A line of poetry longing to be read… a hunger that aches to be fed… wistful yearning that cries in the night… turning hope into havoc and wrong into right… like a winged butterfly longing to soar… this seething craving will leave you wanting but more. Every picture projects a sense of isolated agony. This ancient longing produces a pain that never leaves. Hunger that feeds on the idea of absolution… she’s waiting to feast… waiting to eat off the souls of so many sad stories. Her instinct isn’t just alive, it thrives. Yearning to soar she’s lost her will to fly. Falling to the front her back humps over as she reaches out to the emptiness. Her limbs stretch and curve as her arms rise and knees bend. Standing with a hand on her hip her soulful eyes speak. Jodie Barnes fuses high fashion with unique alteration techniques, propelling the story forward. Triumphant in spirit ~ the tyranny of lost souls are longing to be free.

Those who don’t understand, will they attempt to destroy anything that differs from their own? Not being able to create art ~ they will not understand art. They will consider their failure as creators as a failure of the world. Not being able to love fully they will believe love is incomplete, and they will hate, and their hatred will be perfect. Defying gravity, Alek lays parallel to the ground, as her body extends out, the only thing holding her up is her left hand. Like a winged butterfly longing to soar she’s lost her will – evermore. Solitude can be an infectious and like a disease it can spread. Fara Homidi uses the phenomenal tone of her skin as a backdrop for bold beauty. Black shadow steals the day as lips follow suit in a stunning way. Dark makeup surprises by highlighting the curves of Wek’s face. This editorial plays out like an interpretive editorial. Haute Couture shows it’s true intensity through the avenue of Avant-garde excess. The cinema of the street comes alive as the hunt for humanity continues.

The Laughing Heart

your life is your life
don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission.
be on the watch.
there are ways out.
there is light somewhere.
it may not be much light but
it beats the darkness.
be on the watch.
the gods will offer you chances.
know them.
take them.
you can’t beat death but
you can beat death in life, sometimes.
and the more often you learn to do it,
the more light there will be.
your life is your life.
know it while you have it.
you are marvelous
the gods wait to delight
in you.