Tamago Gata No Kao
Luca Rapisarda - an Italian fashion and portrait photographer - travels the world, and discovers new locations and people throughout Asia, Europe, and the US. Tamago Gata No Kao is an editorial shot in Osaka, Japan, at the beginning of 2020 that features the performer Sumire and clothes designed by Ryouko Vanilla. Luca tells the backstage story about meeting Sumire in the green room before the show and persuading her to model.
The frame is filled with a burst of color, the palette of red and pink, that creates a bridge between the younger and the older generations through color and styling. The shoot is a different kind of performance for Sumire, which sets the stage for her to create a character whose mood strays in between expecting a specific occurrence and meanwhile enjoying the free time.
‘Aside from being a photographer, I am also a singer and dancer’
Hi Luca, tell about this editorial and your latest trip to Japan.
Aside from being a photographer, I am also a singer and dancer. I often get jobs that take me abroad. I have been performing in Osaka, Japan, for approximately 2 years now. The land of the rising sun is an electric, new, futuristic environment that still manages to keep its traditional and original charm. I find it inspiring on a daily basis, and it's impossible for me to go out to the streets without bringing my camera. I know that there will be moments of absolute beauty when I least expect them.
What are some of the challenges you faced to organize a shoot in an unfamiliar environment?
The language barrier in Japan can be a real struggle sometimes. Not many local people put effort into actually learning to speak English, as it is not a real necessity in most Asian countries. I was lucky enough to meet a Chinese artist that lived in Osaka, who could speak English and Japanese. That helped me so much.
How did you meet with Sumire, was it classic scouting through an agency or via Instagram?
Sumire and I worked together in the same show. She is a ballet dancer. The first time I saw her in the "green room" (which is the common space where performers get to chill and rest during breaks), I was left in awe by her striking look. Her face reminded me the one of a rebellious cool kid. I had to take some photos of her. I used my poor Japanese speaking skills and a translation app to ask her if she wanted to model for me.
There are a lot of accessories in the shoot, from an umbrella to a pink bag in the shape of an animal to huge pieces of bijouterie. What was the main feeling you wanted to create through this merge of designer’s clothes and accessories?
Main inspiration for the shoot was the quirky, colorful and kitsch fashion sense that Japanese teenagers rock when they go out and about, combined with the ones of the Osaka's "Obaachan" (Japanese grandmas), that always find a way to include big components to their age-appropriate outfits, like bright visors or one of a kind jackets with strange writings on them. I once saw this sweet old lady in her late 80's, wearing a jumper that said "BITCH" on the back; I don't think she knew what that meant.
What was your most favorite moment during this shoot?
This shoot was definitely a singular experience, as the model and I did not speak the same language. Many times when I tried to tell Sumire to look or move in a certain way, the result was her staring blankly at me without a clue of what I said. Thankfully, I love that kind of lost, spaced-out look of models, so in the end, everything worked out perfectly.
