In the recent photography show “Smudge,” Polly Borland, an Australian photographer, shows a series of anonymous models with hidden faces. Some of her subjects' faces are covered with stuffed toy heads, while other looks teeter towards fetish fashion. With stocking-covered faces and simplistically drawn-on features, her work runs the gamut from cute to bizarre.
The series was inspired while photographing a man dressed in a Santa Claus outfit. Borland decided to take his beard and have it cover his entire face. That shot went to exploring with wigs and other small props. Fans of Borland’s work know that the fetish theme isn’t a new one for the artists; ironically, the photographer has also shot such famous icons as England’s Queen to pop sensation Kylie Minogue. From those well-done but staid subjects, she did a series with men who enjoy dressing up as babies after work.
Photo Credits: designboom, i-donline
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Anonymous Photography
- Opportunity for disruptive innovation in photography by exploring the concept of anonymity and hidden faces in portraiture.
- Subculture Styling
- Opportunity for disruptive innovation in fashion and styling by incorporating elements of subculture aesthetics into mainstream designs.
- Fetish Fashion
- Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the fashion industry by pushing boundaries and exploring unconventional and fetish-inspired designs.
Sectors Adopting This
- Photography
- Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the photography industry by experimenting with unconventional portrait techniques and concepts.
- Fashion
- Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the fashion industry by incorporating subculture styling and unconventional designs into mainstream fashion.
- Art
- Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the art industry by exploring provocative themes and challenging societal norms through unconventional artistic expressions.
