"This photo is titled "Mode Noir", after the French translation for dark fashion, to reflect its contemporary gothic style. Mikaela Janee's intense expressions and fierce beauty made her perfect for this look, which started with a cage skirt I stumbled upon by Atelier Sylphe Corsetry. It was historical, dramatic, and immediately caught my eye. Now that I had the cornerstone for my photo shoot, I pieced the rest of the outfit together with a corset collar, also from Atelier Sylphe, a steel-boned corset from Corset-Story, wet look stockings from Spicy Lingerie, and high-waisted briefs from Unique Vintage. My model brought her own shoes and did her own hair and makeup.
When I contacted Mikaela to model this concept, we had already worked on multiple projects together. She has a talent for helping shape my visions to reality; she is very versatile, aware of her body, confident, and requires no direction (although I still try to challenge her with uncomfortable clothing, harsh weather conditions, and interesting locations). The setting of this shoot, for example, is the John B. Robert dam, which was used as a set piece for AMC's Breaking Bad. It's a steep concrete incline and Mikaela, donning heels and a tightly cinched corset, showcased intention and poise. I used titled camera angles and forced perspective for dramatic effect and to compliment her posing. I wanted to create something compelling and unexpected so I opted for dramatic angles and a bold wardrobe. Equipment in tow consisted of my Canon EOS 5D Mark III, an 85mm f/1.8 lens, and the sun." Thank you Kelly for giving us the opportunity to share your work here in Streetfashion MagZZine. |
Photographer: Kelly McCarthy
Model: Mikaela Janee
Cage skirt and Corset collar: Atelier Sylphe corsetry
Corset: Corset-Story
Stockings: Spicy Lingerie