Androgynous Fashion Photography with Rob
A Studio Shoot About Fashion Freedom
Fashion says who you are, and few people prove it better than Rob. We photographed Rob in the studio for Elegant Exposures, a session built around his androgynous take on contemporary fashion and the simple idea that clothes belong to whoever wants to wear them.
Rob’s Take on Fashion
Rob dresses for himself. His wardrobe ignores the rigid rules men’s fashion usually follows, and he wants others to feel free to do the same.
A Short History of Beige
Menswear has been conservative for a very long time. Beau Brummell set the template for plain, utilitarian men’s dress in the early 19th century, and apart from bursts of colour in the 1960s and 1970s, it has barely moved since.
Rob puts it better than I can:
“Why must a guy rigidly stick to an archaic set of dressing rules laid out by an old Etonian who had his last breath centuries ago?”
Hard to argue with.
What Androgynous Fashion Is
Androgynous fashion ignores the line between men’s and women’s clothing. Rob picks pieces for mood, personality or occasion, not for which side of the shop floor they came from.
The Shoot
The studio fashion shoot with Rob ran through a series of outfits, each chosen with Sue to show a different side of his style.
How it came together:
- Wardrobe Selection: Sue Hardy pulled together outfits that matched Rob’s vision, skirts and tops included, every piece his style rather than a costume.
- Lighting and Composition: Soft, diffused light kept the mood elegant, and the framing was kept simple so the clothes and Rob’s presence did the work.
- Accessories and Styling: Bold jewellery and hats finished each outfit and pushed the looks further from the conventional.
Why This Shoot Matters
These photographs show one person dressing exactly as he pleases. If that gives someone else the nudge to do the same, the shoot has done its job.
As Rob says:
“Clothes don’t – certainly shouldn’t; define gender or sexuality. Clothes should be an extension of your personality, mood or occasion.”
That is the whole project in one sentence.
The Team
Sue Hardy’s styling brought Rob’s vision to life, and Portobello East Coast helped throughout. Thank you both.
Don’t Be Beige
This session sits right at the heart of what Elegant Exposures is for. Fashion belongs to everyone, and Rob wears that idea better than most.
If you are thinking about a shoot built around your own style, get in touch. In Rob’s words: don’t be beige.
