“La regard d’une jeune fille!” Dress by Zara, Shoes by Dorothy Perkins,
#YFT PRESENTS YOUNG AND UPCOMING FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER KYNA HARMON AND HER SERIES OF IMAGES ON THE FEMALE GAZE. INTERVIEW BY JO SMITH.
I
just think no one wants to talk about it!” Kyna Harmon exclaims, as she plays with her cappuccino froth in a low-ceilinged Turkish cafe in London. “It’s not a controversial subject to say the least; because I’m not causing any personal offence! It is simply a matter of fact!” The Londoner expressed while waving her hands in a playful angst. I arranged to meet this photographer who is barely out of university from studying Photographic Journalism in the UK and has already defended her latest decision to convey the concept of the ‘Female Gaze’ in her series of thirty images titled “Le regard d’une jeune fille” (The Watch of the Young Girl). The feature has got tongues wagging already as it ignites the debate on the prowess of a young woman, which has had critics accusing it of “sending the wrong message to our teens”. Kyna Harmon is part of the new #Young, Fun and Talented program created by W Magazine which coordinates with top agencies in New York and London that help publish the best pieces of work by photographers, designers and stylists through giving them a feature each in this month’s issue. By doing this, W hopes to give the ‘young, fun and talented’ a head start in an industry that at the best times seems impenetrable – even to those who graduated longer than they dare to admit. Kyna’s images (shot in Manchester, UK) reflect a tumultuous relationship that breaks down due to a self-obsessed huntress of a girlfriend. I ask whether this is based on any biographical events of her own, she squints as she shakes her head and profusely mutters, “I wish.” “What attracted you to start observing and assessing how women perceive themselves and others around them?” I quizzed the young Brit as she pulled out to show her latest vintage lens. “As a photographer, you are constantly looking at how people and especially how women are perceived through images and how photographers make use of their female subject. The great majority of fashion photographers are in fact male
so nearly all the time we are observing women through a man’s eye, through a camera. Not to mention today’s over sexualisation of women, but of course there is a huge deficiency of female photographers. How are we supposed to positively and wholesomely view ourselves – if it is through the perception of another gender?” Harmon has a point. The fashion industry is in the majority aimed at females, but a male’s name and face is often greeting us at the fashion designer collections on the global catwalks; and this is a trend that is increasing more and more by decade. The latest W Magazine contributor is quick to respond that there are no negative feelings on her be -half towards this fact – “It is not like I aim to create some kind of absolutist or totalitarian attitude to the industry, its just when considering the ‘Female Gaze’ you have to wonder what part the role of men play in this factor.” At this point I notice my watch and the quickly depleting time and ask her how she sought this to be conveyed in her images. “Well, I prefer a fashion image that doesn’t look like what it’s supposed to, as Helmut Newton said, those are the best fashion photographs. I created a claustrophobic relationship that commences and collapses in the same photo story. I took elements from the essay on ‘For Whose Eyes’ written by Tina Butler; which assessed how women see themselves – firstly, the woman looks at herself, secondly, the woman looks at other women and lastly the woman looks at herself being gazed at by others. Therefore I wanted the tale to start with the male as the stereotypical dominant figure in the relationship. He views her from afar. He is the spectator, she is the observed. Then once the relationship starts to develop, she starts to become empowered with her own image – her own gaze. It is through this self-obsession she finds the strength to walk away from him.” I sit there puzzled and lean forward and find myself repeating my earlier question (this time a little more sincere) – “are you sure this not a true event, of yours, perhaps?” Kyna chuckles again and insists it is simply “the intention of transferring argument to art.” “Naturally, this is why I wanted my inaugural photographic feature amongst the page of the prestigious W Magazine to be one that causes chat. I learnt at university that the successful photographers and photojournalists are the one’s that break the mould or at least attempt to.” The photographer goes onto tell me how she already received a good response from the feature. I go onto ask her what hopes she has for the future. “I wish to make fashion images that provide us with the commercial ability to sufficiently advertise but also, to create situations, opinions and suggestions, that are otherwise quite underground. I hope to create against the usual.” “So you wish to keep up the controversy then?” I smiled. She politely discourages any kind of defiant attitude by laughing and persisting with “no not at all; I just think in order for a photographer to survive in this industry, you have to be thinking where others are not.” She starts to pack up her belongings and before tucking in her chair, she smiles – “Either way, I’m sure I’ll soon find out.”
Top, Skirt and Sunglasses from Topshop. Both Heels and Earrings from Dorothy Perkins.
Shirt and Suit both from Burton.
Dress from Zara and Suit Trousers from Burton.
Dress from Zara
Dress from Zara and Heels from Dorothy Perkins. Vest, Shorts and Sandals from Zara.
Dress from Zara
W Speccial Thanks
Kyna Harmon - Photographer Hannah Giles - Assistant Sarah Maxwell - Model Manachain Monghan - Moodel Angela McAllister - Make Up Calista Bailey - Hair
Britannia Hotel, Manchester, UK.