q+a: scarlett newman
Tchotchke Gallery: What inspired the three looks you created for the shoot in collaboration with Tory Burch, PH5, Del Luvra, and Farm Rio?
Scarlett Newman: I was inspired to come up with three stories that could compliment the busyness of Rachael's paintings. Her work takes you on a ride in a way, so I thought it would be a good idea to play off of the dynamic nature of the paintings. The looks are kind of random in a way, but also kind of not. I'm not sure if the flow would have been the same or the playfulness would have been communicated otherwise.
TG: Favorite painting from the shoot? Why?
SN: My favorite paintings that we used were the two very large room scapes. I'm quite shit at the decor, (I'm working on it!) but Rachael's aesthetic and very obvious love for interior design is very aspirational to me in the way that I want to formulate my living space as something that mirrors her art.
TG: Favorite outfit or piece in the shoot?
SN: My favorite looks were the Farm Rio dresses, as I feel they complemented the work best overall. The shot of the girls where our model, Belle, is sat front and center is such an effortless shot. It could easily be a campaign photo. (Farm Rio, holler at your girl!)
TG: Was using art pieces as inspiration different from how you usually style a shoot? How did Rachael's paintings inspire your styling choices?
SN: Art in its literal form has never been present in anything I have styled before, but stylists are always pulling inspiration from the Art world. Rachael's pieces are very color-forward, very Pop, and exude a certain glamour that I've not seen in a while. Those three elements upfront made it really easy to come up with a style story.
TG: What do you think is a must-have for a look to be good?
SN: A look should have a strong point of view to be good. It should be justified, but that doesn't mean it needs to be verbally justified.
TG: If you could style a shoot like this one based on any artist’s work, what artist would you want to style for?
SN: Hajime Sorayama, easily. His femme bots have lived in my mind rent-free for a very long time. I love hypersexuality and hyper-femininity and so I love that he conveys both of those things that wreak emotion and intensity on such a stoic object, the robot. If you've never seen Kim Jones' pre-fall 2019 Men's collection for Dior, check it out. The entire thing was styled and staged around Sorayama's work. It was an incredible opportunity for the worlds of fashion and art to integrate and I think he did it well.