My Clockwork Wonderland

Soweto Surrealism

2010-07-20T15:33:00.000-07:00

The following shoot was shot in Soweto using a range of young Australian fashion designers whose designs & prints were inspired by African culture. The shoot was featured in a French online magazine called 'Fashizblack' in their South African themed issue (see pg68-83 and back cover).

It was a most memorable experience for myself and my team, and in particular it was really great to see so many children who, despite a very limited understanding of fashion, were so interested and excited to be involved in the photos.

Special thanks to: Kirsten Butler (stylist), Simone Zandstra (Make-Up), Doyin from Ice Models, Ed, Nicole and Glow Equipment Rental and Laura Eboue from Fashizblack Magazine.

Ramon McHardy's Shadowplay

2010-06-07T07:31:00.000-07:00

Introducing up-and-coming JHB-based student designer Ramon McHardy.

This shoot helped to secure Ramon an acceptance into one of London's premium fashion schools.

It was very inspiring to collaborate with Ramon and Nicole Van Heerden, who styled and art-directed the shoot.

Photography Assistants: Paul Nathan & Brett Steele

Make-Up: Nicola Wheeler

Styling/Art Direction: Nicole Van Heerden

Concept & Fashion Design: Ramon McHardy

Model: Simone

Thanks to: Christopher Wagner, The Alexander Theatre in JHB

Some more Behind-the-Scenes snapshots:

Cutting Room

2010-06-07T07:30:00.000-07:00

The 'Cutting Room' fashion editorial was shot for Wanted Magazine's April issue and also appeared on the cover. The shoot was produced by Wanted's editor Gary Cotterell and featured the beautiful collection of acclaimed furniture designer Gregor Jenkin's conceptual tables, whose unusual shapes were inspired by a herd of Wildebeest / Buffaloes.

Art Direction & Production: Gary Cotterell

Styling: Emma Jordan

Stylist Assistant: Nicole Van Heerden & Louise Park-Ross

Models: Daniel from Star Models & Tshepo from G3 Models

Make-Up & Grooming: Liz van der Merwe

Photographer's Assistant: Brett Steele

Here is the cover of the April issue of Wanted:

Lastly here are some shots of Gregor Jenkin's amazing 'Migrant Tables':

UNDOING - Butoh Dance Series

2010-04-18T12:27:00.000-07:00

Undoing is an avant-garde Butoh dance series that took place in Johannesburg at various unsuspecting events and locations.
Alongside a wonderful team of creatives the following shoot was conducted (unannounced) on the outskirts of Pretoria..

Undoing is a butoh performance series created to offer an antidote to our contemporary anxities and overdriven egos.

Butoh, the controversial avant-garde Japanese dance form, also known as 'the dance of darkness', has inspired a seemingly inexhaustible exploration into the realm of shadows and the darker aspects of our physical experience.

Conceived by Butoh choreographer Vinvent Truter and artist / musician Givan Lotz, the Undoing performances have hit various unsuspecting venues across Johannesburg unnannounced and completely unexpected by the mesmerized gazes of high and low-brow society alike.

Undoing features the solo Butoh performer, Frauke, one of the leading exponents of the dance form, who has developed the dance form in Sweden, Japan, and now South Africa.

*The beautiful costumes were created by local fashion savants Black Coffee and the Undoing shoot was shot on the outskirts of Pretoria one beautiful Sunday morning. The shoot was styled & art directed by Nicole Van Heerden.

It was an honour to be asked to be involved in such an audacious and inspiring creative endeavour. Collaborating with such a passionate and creative team has made for a most memorable experience, I am so grateful for the opportunity to have been involved in Undoing, and I look forward to future collaborations and Butoh projects.

Below is a link to a 12 minute film of the Undoing performance

'Once the individual has been eclipsed, the ego silenced, the body will be danced'.

UNDOING - Butoh Dance Performance from Brett Rubin on Vimeo.

Credits:

Concept & Music: Orlando & Givan Lötz

Performance: Frauke

Costumes: Black Coffee

Styling & Art Direction: Nicole Van Heerden

Photography & Filming: Brett Rubin

The Undoing shoot was featured in Wanted Magazine's Joburg Art Fair issue and the Undoing team made an unscheduled performance at the Art Fair.

A selection of images from the (unofficial) media launch of Undoing:

Behind the scenes - Costume Construction:

Joburg Art Fair - Artist Portraits

2010-04-17T07:30:00.000-07:00

These artist portraits were shot for Wanted Magazine's JHB Art Fair edition.

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many different artists and being exposed to their unique talents and seeing works in progress.

*Special thanks to Gary Cotterell, Anaaleigh Vallie, Jenny Andrew, Nicole Van Heerden & Brett Steele

Lawrence Lemaoana

Mary Sibande

Jessica Webster

Amir Livneh & Alexander Opper from Notion Architects

Michael MacGarry

Philippe Bousquet

Temple of the Soul

2010-03-19T08:55:00.000-07:00

An eco-conscious fashion editorial for Complete Yoga magazine shot at the beautiful and serene Nan Hau temple.

Credits

Photography Brett Rubin

Fashion Editor Nicole Van Heerden

Hair & Make-Up Simone Zandstra

Model Melissa P @ Pace Models

*Special thanks to Sipho, Ivan and all the people at the Nan Hau Temple that helped make this shoot possible.

Thanks also to Angela from Complete Yoga, Glow Lighting rental, and Brett Steele for photographic assistance.

For more info on Complete Yoga Magazine, visit: http://completeyoga.co.za

On the Road

2010-03-11T13:42:00.000-08:00

I recently relocated from Cape Town to Johannesburg and decided to do a road-trip with a friend through the Karoo.

It was an amazing opportunity for me to shoot snapshots of the fleeting landscapes that flew by, alongside the open road, through the open car window.

These landscapes matched perfectly with the colour palette of Stiaan Louw's new A/W collection that was shown at the recent Design Indaba.

Stiaan decided to use my landscapes as the backdrops for his fashion show, and the images were projected onto 3 screens with the models almost appearing to walk out of the landscapes.

Whilst in Cape Town for a few days I got to have a preview of the new collection, which was shot in Stiaan's studio and combined with the landscapes to create a look-book or 'mood-board' of the new range.

*Stiaan will be coming to JHB in the coming weeks to shoot a full campaign of the new collection with myself and stylist Nicole Van Heerden.

Some photos from the Design Indaba show (courtesy of stiaanlouw.blogspot.com):

A perfect day for Banana-Fish

2010-03-08T07:08:00.000-08:00

A day by the sea-side with hints of yesteryear, thought I'd add this as the summer slowly starts to fade away...

* Special thanks to Camilla (model), Mary (hair & make-up) and Rebecca (styling).

**Dedicated to J.D. Salinger, who passed away recently.

Margot Molyneux

2010-02-08T02:24:00.000-08:00

Margot Molyneux is a new Cape Town based fashion designer.
This is a shoot of her recent summer collection....

*Thanks to all involved:

Stylist : Nicole Van Heerden Make Up: Jade Leggat (Bird on a Wire)

Model: Julia (Elite Models) Photo Assistant: Stan Zive

**special thanks to: Anthea Poulos, Colleen Van Resnburg, Patrick Ryan, Lanny @ Elite & Margot Molyneux

Students for a Better Future

2009-11-27T05:09:00.000-08:00

The Students for a Better Future is a program that is founded by the Andreas and Susan Struengmann Foundation.

The programme aims to act as a means of granting South Africa’s young achievers access to top-notch educational environments that they would otherwise not have been able to afford.

It was a great opportunity for me to meet and photograph some of South Africa's future brightest talents.

For more information on the Students for a Better Future program, please contact: info@studentsforabetterfuture.co.za or (021) 419 3383

*Special thanks to all involved, especially Susan, Benny, Andrew and Nicole.

New Campaign: Stiaan Louw Collection for A-Store

2009-11-23T00:27:00.000-08:00

I was approached by menswear designer Stiaan Louw to shoot a campaign for his new collection for Cape Town's boutique retail outlet A-store (www.astoreisgood.com)

Stripped down basics is what makes up the collection, and I worked alongside fashion stylist Nicole Van Heerden (www.girlwiththesexyshoes.blogspot.com) to conceptualize a campaign that would emphasize the cut, fit and subtle detailing of the clothing, while also visually appealing to the A-store customer.

The clothing was deconstructed by Stiaan and Nicole and modelled by Le Riche.

These images will be used for the collection's swing-tags and other forms of in-store promotion.

For further media coverage on this shoot, have a look at:

manofcloth.blogspot.com (also some great behind-the-scenes snaps)

styleguidecapetown.blogspot.com

we-are-awesome.com/blog

stiaanlouw.blogspot.com

2010 World Cup Puppets featured on Fifa.com

2009-11-20T15:24:00.000-08:00

A promotional shoot for the fantastic puppet-maker Daniel Popper, highlighting his 2010 world cup puppets... featured on Fifa's official website...

It was an amazing experience being involved in shooting a promotional campaign for the extremely talented puppet-maker Daniel Popper.

We set up his world cup proto-type puppet, standing over 5metres tall, on the slopes of signal hill in Cape Town at twilight, and the results were absolutely breath-taking.

Fifa.com recently ran a feature on Daniel and his puppets, accompanied by my images that were supplied to the local organizing committee.

Here is the link to the article: www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1132328.html

I previously featured one of Daniel's early prototypes in a shoot I did at the beginning of the year for the Design Indaba (see image below).

Its fantastic to see how much Daniel's designs have progressed, and I am sure the puppets will be a highlight of the 2010 soccer world cup in South Africa.

Suzaan Heyns Spring/Summer '10 Collection

2009-10-30T07:14:00.000-07:00

An exclusive preview of my recent shoot of JHB based fashion designer Suzaan Heyns' origami inspired spring summer collection.

An exclusive preview of a shoot of Johannesburg-based fashion designer Suzaan Heyns' new origami inspired Spring/Summer Collection. This shoot will be officially launched on international design website yatzer.com in early November.

*The shoot will also be featured in the upcoming issue of Design Indaba Magazine.

Credits:
Photographer: Brett Rubin
Hair& Make up: Melissa Coston
Art Direction: Suzaan Heyns & Nicole Van Heerden
Styling Assistants:
Gayle Olivier
Nicole Van Heerden
Carey Watson
Models:
Kristen Kiel @ Boss
Maryke @ Max Models
Naomi King @ ICE
Jody Paulsen @ Boss

Photographer's Assistant: Max Mogale

Pink Ant Catalogue Shoot

2009-10-18T13:27:00.000-07:00

A recent fun collaborative shoot for the quirky South African street label Pink Ant.

Pink Ant is a Cape Town based fashion label that aims to offer an idiosyncratic and unconventional look and style. In addition to this, Pink Ant infuses a wide array of quirky illustrated characters into its designs.

For more information on Pink Ant, visit: www.pinkant.net
Or email: pinkant@gmail.com

*Special thanks to David Morales from Pink Ant, Anthea Poulos (styling), Khandiz (hair & make-up), Serena Boon (layout), Pamela & Vanessa (models), Max Mogale (photographic assistance)

Some behind-the-scenes images taken by Max Mogale:

SA Fashion Week - Cape Town

2009-10-15T14:59:00.000-07:00

(David West, pre-show snapshot)

The Cape Town satellite leg of SA Fashion Week took place in early October, and featured the return of designer David West.

I attended the show on the final night and took some snapshots.

The show was opened by hugely successful Johannesburg based label Black Coffee, who recently showed their collection at Berlin Fashion week.

Next up was the return of legendary local fashion designer David West from a ±6 year hiatus.

The final designer of the evening was Lunar, whose beatiful organic fabrics were complimented with simple yet elegent designs.

SA Fashion Week Johannesburg

2009-10-13T12:28:00.000-07:00

I was asked to take some snapshots for a fashion blog www.ifor1.co.za of the South African Fashion Week in JHB that took place in mid-Sept.

I worked with fashion stylist Nicole Van Heerden to document some of South Africa's top fashionistas.

Please Note:

Some of these images were taken by Nicole, check out her blog: Girl with the Sexy Shoes.

The Grolsch Green Light District Campaign

2009-09-10T06:18:00.000-07:00

I collaborated with graffiti artist Mak1one to create 'The Green Light District' campaign for Grolsch beer's upcoming Spring Art Tour in Cape Town & Johannesburg in October.

These shots were achieved using a combination of torch-painting and long-exposure photography.

*Thanks to Robert and Sam at Ogilvy Cape Town, Vanessa at Bird on a Wire and Shani from Word of Art for co-ordinating such a wonderful production.

For more info on the Grolsh Greenlight District visit: www.grolschgld.co.za

Here is an additional image from the shoot of Mak1one's torch-painted tag:

Cameron Foden Menswear

2009-09-03T16:53:00.000-07:00

Open publication - Free publishing

Cameron Foden is a highly talented up-and-coming menswear designer with a big future ahead of him.

Foden, who was recently accepted into the Royal Academy of Fashion in Antwerp, recently exhibited his debut collection at What if the World Gallery in Cape Town.

The exhibition was titled 'The Samson Syndrome' and dealt with themes such as the dark politics of war and foreign policy hypocracy.

"And Samson said: Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life".

-Bible (Old Testament)
Judges16:30.

*Look out for the next issue of Dossier Magazine, where this shoot will be featured.

*thanks to Chris for showing me this fantastic location. And a special thanks to Cameron, Colleen van Rensburg (Make-Up) and Samuel from Boss Models for braving the elements with me to produce this shoot.

Fashion Editorial & Cover for 'Private Edition' Magazine

2009-09-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

A winter fashion shoot on Nedeberg Wine Farm for the exclusive, luxury magazine 'Private Edition'.

I really enjoyed working with a fantastic team on this shoot, special thanks to Nedeberg for the wonderful hospitality.

'Know More Today Tomorrow'

2009-08-16T14:06:00.000-07:00

A conceptual fashion & design editorial shot exclusively for the 2009 'Design Indaba' showcase expo that took place in Cape Town in february.
This shoot was also published as a 14 page feature in the Design Indaba Magazine.

Open publication - Free publishing - More fashion

It was a great honour to be asked to produce such an ambitious shoot for the Design Indaba. I was given virtual creative freedom to conceptualize and produce this shoot, and it was a fantastic adventure working alongside the incredibly talented duo of Carey Watson & Kate Boswell.

*Thanks to Nadine Botha and her team at Interactive Africa for their support and assistance.

Shoot Credits:

Photography: Brett Rubin

Fashion Styling: Carey Watson

Decor Styling: Kate Boswell

Make-up: Mary Gouveia

Models: Boa Hoa (at Base Model Agency) & Justin Poulter (Trigger Model Agency)

Production: Bird on a Wire and Interactive Africa

Retouching: Tamzen Appunn

*Special thanks to Vanessa Eyden at Bird on a Wire.

Behind the Scenes at the Design Indaba Expo:

Stiaan Louw "The Next Generation" campaign - Johannesburg

2009-08-03T09:45:00.000-07:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More stiaan louw

I was recently in JHB for the month of July where I shot a follow up Campaign for menswear designer Stiaan Louw.

The shoot was styled by Nicole Van Heerden, grooming by Lisa-Marie Gravell, and the beautiful jackets (with 10 straps on each) modeled by Christopher Wagner & Sandra Smit.

Special thanks to Dirk, Ed for assistance, and Glow Rental company for Lighting.

Week Ends in Leather

2009-08-02T06:47:00.000-07:00

Snapshots from Suzaan Heyns 'bondage' themed 28th birthday party...

I recently spent a month in Johannesburg, where I was invited to my friend Suzaan's 'bondage' themed 28th birthday party. I decided to take some snapshots of a fantastic evening. enjoy*

Construction Time

2009-07-20T14:00:00.000-07:00

A fashion editorial that appeared in the June issue of Business Day newspaper's monthly supplement magazine.

Open publication - Free publishing - More fashion

"Tomorrow's Society" exhibition

2009-07-11T04:48:00.000-07:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More photography

A collaboration with menswear designer Cameron Foden for an exhibition called 'Tomorrow's Society'.

The garment was made up from the left over fabric used in Cameron Foden's recent exhibition titled: 'The Samson Syndrome', which was held at What If the World gallery in Hope Street, Cape Town.

Foden was recently accepted into the Academy of Fashion in Antwerp to study fashion design.

'Tomorrow's Society' saw fashion designers recycling old clothing / fabric and collaborating with a photographer to shoot these garments and promote the need to be more conscious of resources.

The exhibition was sponsored by Vida e Caffe and Adidas.

Stiaan Louw "The Next Generation" campaign

2009-07-11T04:42:00.000-07:00

Collaborative campaign shoot for Cape Town based menswear designer Stiaan Louw (www.stiaanlouw.blogspot.com).

Some blog reviews of this campaign:

nobignames.co.za/blogs/blog1.php/2009/05/08/stiaan-louw-and-the-next-generation-just

thatgirlabouttown.blogspot.com/2009/05/collaboration-made-in-heaven-stiaan.html

Open publication - Free publishing - More stiaan louw

Suzaan Heyns a/w 09

2009-07-11T04:02:00.000-07:00

A recent shoot of Johannesburg based South African Fashion Designer, Suzaan Heyns latest collection (www.suzaanheyns.com).

Open publication - Free publishing - More winter

Through the Looking Glass

2009-02-21T06:26:00.000-08:00

This shoot appeared in Chew Magazine's Tribute Issue. Through the Looking Glass, as the name suggests, pays tribute to the wonderful literary works of Lewis Carroll.

At the same time, this shoot also plays with the notion of a camera lens being a "looking glass", and therefore explores and challenges this notion with a variety of quirky surrealism, using Lewis Carroll's prose as its inspiration. Enjoy!

Gardening at Night

2009-02-19T14:15:00.000-08:00

* This fashion spread appeared in Business Day newspaper's monthly supplement
'Wanted Magazine', november 2008 issue.

A New York moment

2009-02-19T11:57:00.000-08:00

In September 2007 I spent seven weeks in NYC.
Looking back, my first visit to New York as a photographer feels like it could mark the beginning of a long, personal and enduring love affair with a city whose personality or zeitgeist is as elusive as it is statuesque, as substantial as it is superficial, as grotesque as it is seductive.

Perhaps Thomas Wolfe, the American short story writer and novelist, put it best when he wrote:

“One belongs to New York instantly;
one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years”.

Lemon-Aid

2009-02-19T00:53:00.000-08:00

This shoot appeared in issue 12 of One Small Seed magazine.

Now Playing: My Favourite Game

2009-02-15T06:44:00.001-08:00

My Favourite Game is a narrative shoot that appeared in Modus Magazine.
Modus was published as a portfolio magazine for a highly talented new (renegade) graphic designer / art-director Rowan Wallace (click here to see his blog).

Rowan is currently based in Hong Kong, and is also in the process of designing section titles for my new website and portfolio magazine (watch this space)...

"I had a vision I could turn you right

a stupid mission and a lethal fight
I should have seen it when my hope was new
my heart is black and my body is blue..."

"And I'm losing my favourite game... you're losing a saviour and a saint..."
~ The Cardigans

OBRIGADO #12 - the Western Issue

2009-02-14T09:11:00.000-08:00

Obrigado is an amazing magazine that is fun, quirky, informative and (best of all) distributed for free through South Africa's legendary vida-e-caffe coffee shops.
It was a great pleasure to shoot for Obrigado and I really enjoyed working with such a cool and creative team.

Go to www.obrigado.co.za to find out more and see some behind-the-scenes pictures.

the dirty skirts of cape town...

2009-02-14T09:06:00.000-08:00

A photo that I like from a recent shoot for the band 'The Dirty Skirts'...

Femme Fatale... A cover version...

2009-02-10T14:24:00.000-08:00

*Chew The Magazine is a fantastic online magazine showcasing interesting content and some highly talented creative work.
At www.chewthemagazine.com you can download Chew for free with 3 different covers to choose from.
I've included a selection of images from my fashion editorial called Feme Fatale that featured in Chew Magazine's 'Street Identity' issue.

"Here she comes, you better watch your step
She's going to break your heart in two, it's true..."

"Little boy, she's from the street
before you start, you're already beat.
She's gonna play you for a fool, yes it's true
'Cause everybody knows... She's a femme fatale" ~ Lou Reed

Beyond the confines of the museum walls...

2009-02-10T13:50:00.000-08:00

KISS & TELL... is an article published in Chew Magazine's Street Identity Issue. Featuring some of my snapshots of Barcelona's mercurial Street Art from 2003. I wrote a brief "travelogue" to accompany and elaborate on the quirky, sometimes colossal, stencil and spray-can creations. Enjoy*

" my travel-guide half-jokingly forewarned that if you stand still for long enough in Barcelona one of three things might happen: either a pigeon will relieve itself on your coat, a pickpocket will relieve you of your wallet, or you will be coated in graffiti spray-paint..."

Spreading an Audio Virus...

2009-02-10T13:23:00.000-08:00

The following article was featured in Chew Magazine's Street Identity Issue.
I wrote the article to accompany some of the posters I have photographed for the monthly Step-Up dubstep night at Fiction Bar.

Some Extracts:

"In an age of mass-media hype, overnight fads, and prepackaged pop-tarts, dubstep has refused to present itself as an easily definable, and digest-able, movement for mainstream culture to appropriate and consume..."

"Originating from Croydon in South London, Dubstep amalgamates elements of jungle, dub reggae, dancehall, garage and grime. Bass drops and wobbles are central to the music that can otherwise be characterized as dark and sparse..."

*Dubstep is an exciting a new form of urban music that has been described as an "audio virus" because of the rapid surge and spread of its popularity in such a relatively short space of time .

*Step-Up is a party that takes place at Fiction Bar in Long Street, Cape Town on the 3rd saturday of every month.

download Chew Magazine for free at: www.chewthemagazine.com

Don't think Twice its alright...

2009-02-08T15:00:00.000-08:00

A sneaky photo I took of the legendary Bob Dylan preforming live about 2hrs train ride outside of NYC...

"There's a long distance train rolling through the rain,
tears on the letter I write
There's a woman I long to touch and I miss her so much
but she's drifting like a satelite."

Murder at the Milkbar

2008-09-30T08:03:00.001-07:00

This shoot appeared on the cover of the 11th issue of One Small Seed magazine.
check out www.onesmallseed.com to learn more about this South African Pop Culture publication.

'Murder at the Milkbar' is a tribute to Stanley Kubrick and his film adaptation of Anthony Burgess's Clockwork Orange. Everytime I watch this film I am amazed at Kubrick's mastery and attention to detail.

Something like a circus or a sewer...

2008-08-15T15:34:00.000-07:00

I recently held an exhibition of snapshot glimpses of life in the city that never sleeps..
The 2 month exhibition, titled: Wide Awake in New York was held at Royale Eatery in Cape Town.
Royale is so cool, it wouldn't be out of place in NY, and for this reason I thought it was perfectly suited for this series of images.

For me this exhibition was a personal 'love-letter' to New York. These images are a collection of some of my favourite moments that I was lucky enough to capture.
Enjoy*

"Remember that the city is a funny place, something like a circus or a sewer..."
~ Lou Reed