The Fairytale Fetish

They've done it again.

And again, and again and again. . . . I've seen fairtytale photoshoots up the yin-yang. But you know what? Sometimes, they're done right. Let's face it. It's hard to be original anymore. Impossible, no, but a challenge every great artist likes to present his/herself with. If not invent, we take great ideas, modify them and make them our own. And lucky you, Mister or Missus artist, there's the occasional, vain repetition that stands out. Fairytale themes, for example.

I picked fairytales for a few reasons. One, because it's one of the "classic cliches" I don't mind. There's a charm to fairytales everyone can connect with. Who doesn't like to venture back to childhood every once in a while? In the words of hairstylist, Alexis Anderson, they're "whimsical"--said while standing on one foot with jazz hands and a tilted torso.

It's also popped up a lot recently. It started out as a thought at the back of my mind. Ooo. Fairytales, or something along those lines. I was reminded of a Vogue photoshoot I found once upon a time. The thought evolved during concept discussion with photographer, Sarah Miller. Dislike for the common cliche started off conversation, but--what ho?--love of the fairytale theme weaseled its way in there. Hmm.

Now a fairytale photoshoot? Model Mayhem's got a casting call in my area involving fairytales I just might have snagged interest in. A sign? Sure. I blame fairies.

This brought be back to exploring the fairytale photoshoots I love and admire. Vogue has taken the idea and run; time and again, without fail. Kirsty Mitchell's Wonderland project is about as close as it gets to leaving our world and entering another. Dinah Goldstein's Fallen Princess modernizations have all the real-word quirkiness you could hope for. Guess it's about time I took a crack at it.

Yeah, okay. <3

If it happens, I'm sure you'll find out about it. Time will tell. Check out the pros in the meantime:

Vogue Magazine: Once Upon a Time
Dinah Goldstein's Fallen Princesses
Kristy Mitchell's Wonderland