Berlin CSD is coming up. There have been many events in the run up to Saturday’s parade. Black and Paper chronicled Perfromer Ruda Puda during a stage performance with colleagues at Potsdamer Platz for Berlin Queer Days.
Choosing and Getting the Looks Together. Two costumes in particular were very elaborate with feathers giving the effect of a Las Vegas Stage Show.
THE PERFORMANCES!
Images by Vlad Sichov.
Our second time behind the scenes witnessing the team put the runway show together. Models practicing on the runway, make and hair teams preparing faces, dressers getting the looks together.
Music by Subset and Jon Luc Hefferman
The second part of the interview with Photographer Vladimir Sichov.
What is your favorite cover?
The November Cover of Paris Match showing The Fall of the Berlin Wall and the Romania Revolution Cover.
Why are you still motivated to take pictures?
I am a street life photographer. I look for moments, unknown people. I take pictures fast. The right way to be a street photographer is to be quick while not drawing attention to you. I place tape over the camera labels and numbers for discretion.
What is your favorite device?
I like fixed lens. I used Leica until 92 then switched to Canon.
Who was your artistic influence?
Bresson was a God with his sense of composition. He was the master and everyone else is several steps below. We spoke several times. I asked him how many good pictures he made. He said around 40.
Who was the most difficult subject?
The Vogue Studio and those white walls. I prefer action to studio, black and white over color.
Politics and politicians have played a major role in your works.
In May 1981 French President Giscard lost the election to Mitterand. I was assigned to go to his house in the Middle of France with other press people. All only had 20 minutes. After he learned I was Russian he spoke to my team for over 40 minutes. He said his favorite politician was Brezhnev. I spent 2 week with him on holiday in the Holy Land after he left office. His wife was religious.
And Chirac?
Prime Minister Jacques Chirac opened a world for me. I was a stateless so he arranged for me to have a French Passport.
Having covered so politics and events, what do you think of the current state of Europe?
If I had written articles on what I thought I would have been fired immediately. There is a body of unelected people (EU Commission) making disastrous decision for Europe. There is no Ford to build an industry. So much has been destroyed, from textile to steel production.
What were the most interesting assignments?
There are many but some now:
I was in the Soviet Union covering the Michael Jackson concert in 1989 before the coup. I felt something was going on so I called my editor and decided to stay in Moscow a little while longer. The tanks rolled into the city. I saw it all in front of The Russian White House. I was wounded, shot.
When Gorbachev went into exile I was with him for 3 days.
Horowitz was fun. I wanted to show him doing more than at the piano. Russians love ice cream and playing chess. He asked me if I loved ice cream. Yes!
I made images of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge at their apartment. One of those images was used at the Christie’s auction in 2009. It was rare assignment because they did not normally allow images made in their flat.
I accompanied Keith Haring here (Berlin) to take pictures of him painting the Wall for the mural. He was really fast. That was in 1986. I made pictures of him doing work on the Grace Jones video.
What advice would you give a photographer?
Love what are doing and you will never have a problem. If you find a job you like and you will never work. Do not expect rewards.
The happenings at the Mercedes Benz Tent during Fashion Week Berlin
Images by Vladimir Sichov
The New York City based label showed its Resort Collection at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin. The 90’s were back according to the designers for looks that were solid, wearable with many looks holding the body together. Soft, solid colors were the norm with a bust of a chromatic blue dress then to small floral patterns to choose for the lady going out in the evening.
Images by Vladimir Sichov.
This is the second time we will be there to record the scenes of putting together the Ivanman fashion Show. The details, the models, and all the fun and drama.
Sustainable Style from Nudie Jeans
Since 2007 the Nudie Jeans has taken a hands own direct approach from start to finish regarding sustainable consumption weather from the production factory providing safe working conditions to upcycling after final usage.
The Swedish Denim and Jean maker has developed a stylish ecosystem based on: Breaking in, Repair, Reuse, and Recycle. Sustainable consumption and Conscience Buying is the center of the brand’s decision to make jeans with 100% organic cotton, top quality material.
The idea is to have fun and personalize the style of denim by making a pair as a second skin on the body, high quality jeans that capable of being worn for a long duration without washing. The breaking in process for is usually 6months or more depending on usage but eventual a pair of jeans becomes personal with a second skin feel of comfort.
Nudie believes jeans should not be thrown away. The brand has set up repair shops with denim specialists who will repair anything ripped or broken as many times as the wearer wants. Also, there are Self Repair Denim Kits. A customer feels the relationship is over with the jeans Nudie provides a voucher for a new pair. What happens to jeans traded in? Each pair are repaired and then sold second hand in a Nudie Store.
Always exploring and inventing new ways to recycle jeans, denim material has been used to stuff Volvo Car seats and torn into strips to make woven rugs.
Side Note: While I was in the Nudie Jeans Store in the Berlin Mitte district making images for this piece I met a man who had previously traded in his jeans (See Image) he had worn for 5 or 6 years. He was in the store buying another pair.
For the nearest Nudie Jeans Shop go to www.nudiejeans.com
Stay tuned. We will cover other brands involved in sustainable fashion.
Images from the Film Festival
Behind the scenes at Menswear Designer Ivanman’s Fashion Show. A lot of work goes into producing a runway show. An entire crew making it all happen.
Images and Videos powered by ZTE Axon Smartphone.
See the video later.
Berlin is a city struggling to make a mark as a fashion world. Is there a look? Is there a true definition of style in the German Capital. There are a few design gems but many challenges remain but our fingers are crossed.
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