Curve
The story Curve is about beauty, but even more so, it is about diversity, self-awareness, and acceptance. We learn about the concepts of ‘normalcy’ from a young age, striving to get the ‘normal’ hair, ‘normal’ skin type, ‘normal’ body. Questioning what we see and what is often dictated has led to a possibility to see wider and break away from one prototype.
“Love yourself, every scratch, every wound, every curve” — is the opening line to the story, which presents three gorgeous women, almost nymph-like beauties, contemplating the differences and similarities between esthetics of different centuries. In contrast to the narrative about beauty today, we are presented to the painting La Camargo Dancing by Nicolas Lancret, 1730.
We speak with Hila Chen, a photographer, and Yarden Karlinsky, a stylist, about their recent editorial Curve. As Hila explains, “I aimed at showing the rounded female bodies as they were represented in older times — during the Renaissance or before in Ancient Greece and Rome.”
We speak about the work on set, the liberation of the boundaries imposed by society, the reality of living in Israel, and the tension with religion. We touch on the topic of the image presented on social media and the desire to escape from the fake.
Art Direction and Photographer Hila Chen Stylist Yarden Karlinsky Hair Artist Gaya Yaffe Makeup Artist Lydia Posohov Talents Jean Asmieng, Noi Ben Brit and Amit Bitton at Juicy Agency
‘Curve, a fashion editorial, is about embracing our body, our curves, and our 'imperfections,' which for us is the real beauty in a most natural way.’
— Yarden Karlinsky
The story, Curve, creates a narrative about self-confidence and acceptance. What were the main sub-themes you wanted to touch on?
Hila: Well, as you have mentioned, that is the main theme of this project. In addition, I wanted to reveal the old beauty ideal that is having a comeback today. I aimed at showing the rounded female bodies as they were represented in older times — during the Renaissance or before in Ancient Greece and Rome.
Yarden: Curve, a fashion editorial, is about embracing our body, our curves, and our 'imperfections,' which for us is the real beauty in a most natural way. I chose to style the models with pieces that express their bodies in different ways with a soil color palette: from trench coats that hid their bodies (as we sometimes try doing) to Gal Yakobovitch's pieces, which are made for all body types and look different on everyone. I wanted to emphasize and express our relationship with our bodies when the main thing is to love our curves and ourselves.
‘So all the models' poses were presented in a way that reveals these unseen beautiful skin parts. Parts that usually curvy women are working so hard to hide.’
— Hila Chen
What was the conversation with models built upon and what did the direction of the postures on set rely on?
Hila: Well, the main thing I wanted to expose was the curves in the most natural way. That is why I haven't made any changes with these beautiful girls; I kept all of their skin (so-called) 'flaws' untouched. So all the models' poses were presented in a way that reveals these unseen beautiful skin parts. Parts that usually curvy women are working so hard to hide. I wanted these models to be proud of these body elements and show the world it is beautiful.
‘It is La Camargo Dancing by Nicolas Lancret, 1730. I feel, as you have mentioned, that members of this painting are coming in contrast to the way we redefine the concept of beauty today.’
— Hila Chen
The picture - of the royal family members enjoying themselves dancing, female figures wearing corsets, skinny silhouettes - comes in contrast to the way we redefine the concept of beauty today. What stood behind the choice of this particular image?
Hila: It is La Camargo Dancing by Nicolas Lancret, 1730. I feel, as you have mentioned, that members of this painting are coming in contrast to the way we redefine the concept of beauty today, and that's why I chose this painting. However, it's not just the fact that they are wearing corsets and have skinny bodies. We are getting a glance at how people used to see beauty, and what it was for them. To me, it seems as if it is the exact opposite of being natural. Everything is covered with makeup and fabric, and nothing feels real. It's just an act to entertain the audience, very much like the fakeness we see on social media. That same fakeness that's showing us one side of the story we tell the world of our lives, just a few parts of ourselves that we feel not embarrassed to share. In this project, I wanted to show everything, the whole truth, beautiful as it is nude.
‘It's not about the nudity as much as about the fact that it's not easy to expose your body completely to a room full of people, especially when your body type is considered different.’
— Hila Chen
Which moment from this project is most precious to you?
Hila: I think that at the end of this particular shooting day, when the girls felt more free and open about themselves and took their photographs completely naked (which wasn't easy at all for some of them), that was exciting and thrilling. It's not about the nudity as much as about the fact that it's not easy to expose your body completely to a room full of people, especially when your body type is considered different. And on top of all that, we are from Israel, and things are a bit more conservative here. I guess it has something to do with the fact that we are a religious country. So even though there are many non-religious people here and we can dress as we want, the culture still tells us nudity is provocative and awkward.
