A celebration of identity and individual human beauty, this vibrant
monograph is the first book dedicated to fashion photographer Nadine
Ijewere--the first Black woman photographer to land a cover of Vogue in
the magazine's 125-year history.
Dazzling color, dreamlike backgrounds, and a fierce gaze are the
hallmarks of Ijewere's work. But most important to the London
photographer is subversion of traditional concepts of beauty. In fashion
work, editorials, advertisements, and film stills, Ijewere draws not
only on her roots in Nigeria and Jamaica, but also on her own
experiences as a young Black girl in East London whose skin color, hair,
and body type were nowhere to be found in the pages of magazines.
Ijewere's vibrantly colored, brilliantly staged pictures often focus on
themes of identity and diversity, and feature nontraditional subjects
that celebrate the uniqueness of disparate cultures. This first
monograph includes images from her series of Jamaican women's hairstyles
across different generations; photographs of young people defying gender
norms on the streets of Lagos; and intimate studio portraits of
mixed-race sisters. Also featured is editorial work she has created for
Vogue in the US and UK, fashion shoots for Stella McCartney, Dior, Gap,
Hermes, and Valentino. At the vanguard of a history-changing artistic
movement, Ijewere's remarkable career has made her one of the most
sought-after fashion photographers working today.
