Domestic Bliss (Photoshoot

BY CHARLIE BENTLEY Domestic Bliss

The late New York Times photographer and allaround visionary Bill Cunningham said that 'fashion is the armour to survive everyday life.' I desperately want this to be true, and it feels true, but perhaps the saying is not considered rich enough. In my own life, I use fashion to feel like myself (I know, get ready for more clichées); these items are mirrors into my personality, how I am feeling, and who I want to be. But, I noticed when I spent time in my little caverns of domesticity during the various lockdowns, I would occasionally put something nice on. Was I dressing in a nice cream shirt and french-fitting jeans hoping someone would accidentally walk in and admire my outfit during an extended Netflix binge? Of course not, even though the Amazon delivery driver is fantastic. In our own domestic habitats, there is a purpose or even a meaning to dressing up for yourself, even if you're relaxing, doing some washing up, or making breakfast. Perhaps Cunningham's phrase has even more meaning than simply using clothing as insights into our lives for other people. It seems that the 'survival' of everyday life is not just what other people think, but the jungle of your own mind when you are alone and glimpse your reflection in the mirror - we like to feel good for ourselves. I decided I had to turn this into a photography project to spotlight the most private fashion moments of our everyday existence.

Photographer- Charlie Bentley Model- Charlotte Bailey

Charlotte, a persistently lovely feature in my work, was set in various domestic settings, and I acted as a fly on the wall, or maybe less-flatteringly a creepy tabloid photographer peeking into someone’s private life. Regardless of whether I was the innocent insect or a perverted journalist, I felt that I have captured an eerie mid-point, a liminal space between the outside catwalk and domestic living, a place where those interested in how they dress spend a good amount of time.

I'd like to finish by stating that this is not a call for pulling out your best threepiece suit from the closet for doing the washing up. Rather, a little cheesy supportive message: if you want to dress to feel nice, go for it - I promise you won't have me peeking through your windows to photograph you.