Each brand comes with its own aura which is understood and perceived differently by fashion enthusiasts around the globe – and that’s exactly what Saint Laurent is trying to explore. The Parisian label has recently launched the seventh rendition of its ‘SELF’ art concept: a curated portfolio of images captured by photographers from around the world that celebrate aspects of Saint Laurent’s visual identity through several regional lenses.
Curated by Anthony Vaccarello, Saint Laurent’s creative director, ’SELF 07’ aims to spotlight creatives from around the world. Scheduled to be showcased in six different cities, namely Los Angeles, Paris, London, Tokyo, Seoul, and Shanghai until June 12th, this year’s edition invited six different photographers to churn out original works that pay homage to the cities they call home.
American-born-and-bred creative and Guggenheim Fellowship recipient Alex Webb is part of this year’s cohort of talents called up to share their artistic commentary on society while emphasizing the core values of Saint Laurent. The storied fashion house, which has always managed to reinvent itself since its founding in 1961, is again, tapping into new sources of inspiration by highlighting the infinite power of self-expression.
“When I was asked to photograph Los Angeles in the spirit of Yves Saint Laurent, I immediately thought of three culturally-rich downtown neighborhoods—the Pinata District, the Flower District, and the Fashion District—whose deep shadows, brightly painted walls, and vibrant streets are reminiscent of Mexico, where I’ve often wandered,” Webb shared in a statement. “This exhibition brings together my new work from the streets of Los Angeles in conversation with my past work from Latin America and the Caribbean,” he added.
Primarily focusing on street photography, Webb’s re-interpretation of the City of Angels reflects his relationship with the house and will soon be able to visit in person in the next couple of days globally.