IN HIS COMPLEXITIES
As seen on Rouge Fashion Book
Location: Shanghai, China
08/06/2020
Black identity is not a monolith in contrast to what is seen in the mainstream. It is complex. Equally tough and soft. Black masculinity is not only the hyper-masculinity of hip-hop and athleticism. It is also the elegance of classical music, the enigma of abstract art, the classiness of jazz music; all of this to say there is endless diversity and complexity in the black masculine identity.
Using the contrast between suits and flowers, this photo series aims to portray such complexity for its Chinese audience. As we stray from the hyper-masculine portrayal of the black male, specifically in the Chinese mainstream we would like to show that black boys/men too have their own innocence, they too are gentle, they too show their emotions. Ultimately, the aim is to dismantle the common stereotype.
Photographer: Hailun Ma
Creative Director: Christina Rateau
Stylist: Dre Romero
Hair and Makeup: Leisa Grant & Freya Ni
Models: Brobybroby & Malik Ndiaye
Styling assistant: Enji Wang