At first glance, Tribe by Lee Howell, a photographer based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, looks like it documents people from indigenous tribes. Instead, the photo series is completely fabricated, if in an impressive way. It was created in order to showcase the latest creations of American costume designer Stacy Jansen. Focusing on traditional ethnic tribal dress from around the world, the garments were created for the film, theatre and television industry.
Set against stunning backdrops, Tribe by Lee Howell is a composite of existing photos and new ones. This first collection of images hones in on the Maasai tribe of Kenya and Tanzania on the African continent. From there, Howell will move onto Mongolia and what she has to offer.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Faux Ethnography
- Opportunity to disrupt industries reliant on stylized depictions of traditional cultures by exposing the value of real anthropology.
- Sustainable Prop Design
- Exploring eco-friendly production methods for costumes and set pieces could reduce costs and carbon footprints for the film, theatre, and television industries.
- Virtual Fashion Shoots
- Innovations in computer-generated imagery (CGI) and virtual reality could transform location-based photo shoots, creating new opportunities for photographers and designers alike.
Sectors Adopting This
- Film Industry
- Filmmakers could seize the opportunity to tell more authentic stories by valuing cultural accuracy and rejecting shallow stereotypes in costume and set design.
- Theatre Industry
- Theater companies could adopt more environmentally sustainable practices in stage design and fashion production to appeal to audiences who value conscious consumption.
- Fashion Industry
- Photographers and fashion design houses could work together to create virtual environment campaigns that offer options for sustainable, eco-friendly products that appeal to a growing environmentally conscious market.
