En Mode

The local master of fashion photography is undoubtedly Kunal Jankee, aka DigitAlchemist Kikilana. No-one here has managed to have the same mastery of photographic techniques, not to mention the skill, expertise and raw talent needed to pull off so many inspirational projects.

Photographer: Karen Pang

Until now.

A new generation of incredibly talented photographers is on the rise. They have been working individually for some time now, until they understood they could rise to astounding heights if they worked together. And so they became friends and collaborators.

They are En Mode

And it's not just a concept, or a group of people. It's a platform, that aims to unite the best photographers, models, designers and make-up artists, to revolutionise the industry, introducing standards and pushing the fashion industry all the way up to international level.

INTRODUCING SEAN CRAIG Photographer: Siddick Mohamed Model: Sean Craig

Style Mauritius caught up with the four pioneering photographers of the group: Brian Dean, Karen Pang, Khatleen Minerve and Siddick Mohamed aka Demonode's Moe.

Karen Pang

Age:19

karenpangphotography@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-Pang-Photography/173093336123518

karenpang.carbonmade.com

Brian Dean

Age : 22

Brian.Dean@mail.com

Tel : 778 22 71

www.facebook.com/Brian.Dean.Photographer

www.brian-dean.book.fr

Likes Chocolate.

Interned at Conde Nast Paris for three months, read about his internship here.

Khatleen Minerve

Age: 21

Tel : 932 5435

khatleen2390@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/khatleenm

http://www.behance.net/KhatleenMinerve

http://cherryblossom.500px.com/

http://sakuramizuki.tumblr.com/ (a diary of her inspirations)

Currently studying Law & Management.

Pasta lover, who likes hers with lots of pepper.

Adores jazz and soul and wishes that she was born when Etta James came around.

Takes self portraits out of boredom or when she wants to feel pretty "‘em girls... you know"

And cries ("silently thank God!") when watching sad Japanese animation movies. Hayao Miyazaki is her hero.

Siddick Mohamed a.k.a Demonode's Moe

Age: 23

Tel: 9371292

Astro Sign - Gemini

studio_design@live.com

Studied Graphic Design & Creative Advertising at Charles Telfair Institute

Photographer mainly for modelling portfolios & wedding photography

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Demonods-Moe/251881335354

www.siddickphotography.com

What is your opinion of fashion photography or photography in general in Mauritius?

KAREN PANG

I think that the Mauritian fashion industry has tremendously evolved if we compare it to 5 years ago. But we have to face the fact that we are very far behind other countries, where fashion is a way of living. I believe that Mauritius has a wide range of good photographers, models, makeup artists, designers and clothing brands. Of course there is a huge outbreak of camera owners and so called models, but I don’t see it the wrong way. To me, it makes it easier to spot the real talents here, those who really take challenges and think different. We live on a small island where there is a serious lack of awareness as to what fashion, photography and art really is. It is essential to have a vision when you’re a photographer and it is also important to know and to make people understand that models should fit a certain criteria. Mauritius surely has a lot of potential that we absolutely need to exploit.

BRIAN DEAN

Hmmm... there are talented photographers here in Mauritius, as well as those who just have a camera. I personally don’t have anything against them, but buying the newest camera doesn‘t make you a pro photographer ! Mauritius has great potential and we have to exploit it !

DEMONODE'S MOE

Fashion Photography is a lifestyle. Models and sets are highly stylized or simple at times. The image complex, the garments,accessories,model,location, lighting and styling carefully crafted.In Mauritius there are a lot of people who are proclaiming to be 'photographers' but few of them have this talent and know the true meaning of fashion photography. I can say if you have any talent in that field go for it, show it! no need to shout it.

This saying is trending on Facebook " buying a pro camera doesn't make you a pro photographer " and it's true. Photographers, models and modeling agencies are rising like mushrooms in Mauritius but few of them are worthwhile. I really hope that in the future, only the genuine ones will survive.

KHATLEEN MINERVE

Mauritius has so much potential with some outstanding young designers coming up but we are still lagging behind in fashion. Nonetheless I definitely think the industry is moving forward with many models, photographers and makeup artists taking the level higher and experimenting. However, there is undeniably a problem with the models’ management norms. We cannot put all models in the same basket; some are made for advertising and headshots, others for catwalks, others for editorial. The importance of right norms relating to models sizes and heights, and how they work with clients should be emphasised too. And for camera owners, having the latest camera does not make you a full-fledged photographer if you do not know how to use it to its full capacity. Everyone in both industries should just try their best to make the difference and explain things for what they are. I am still feeling my way around but there is such a craze going on right now in photography; it sometimes disgusts me. I may not among the best yet but beginners should be humble and should not take criticism badly. Criticism should be accepted for what they are. They may sound bad and you might get hurt, but take it positively. Someone tells you something is wrong, next time, vlam! “In Your Face! I just did better!” What does not kill you makes you stronger!

ANDRO-G Photographer: Khatleen Minerve Model: David Stafford

Are there any definite themes you like to explore in photography?

KAREN PANG

I like exploring the innocence, purity and feminity of my subjects to show their soft, mysterious and sensual side. I enjoy experimenting with soft lights, playing with colors and like to add a warm subtle sunset feel in order to create a sort of serene atmosphere. I have a “penchant” for conceptual and artistic photos that depict a feeling, a kind of sensitiveness, or an emotion.

BRIAN DEAN

For the time being, I’m trying to put in practice what I’ve learn during my internship. Their is so much to do and hope it will be possible for me to do it here. For sure, their is a lot to learn in photography, and fashion is a continuous moving platform, testing it is the best way to keep in touch.

DEMONODE'S MOE

I've taken photography as a hobby since 2007. With time, I've learnt it by myself and after having acquired a wider knowledge in it, I've started to practise. Then, in 2010, I started working as a professional mostly in portrait and wedding photography. I'm not the best photographer in Mauritius but I'm trying to be among the best.

KHATLEEN MINERVE

Photography is a never-ending learning process and I want to try many things. But androgyny as theme (I did one already) is a fascinating aspect of gender in modelling I am willing to explore more in depth and to show to people that we got those kinds of models too, and that it is okay to be such a type of model. I have no real specific themes but going retro and more fashion is on my list of things to do!

GENTLEMAN Photographers: Brian Dean and Demonode's Moe Model: Sean Craig

For how long have you been working as photographers and what are your future projects?

KAREN PANG

I started working as a photographer in 2011, but photography has always been more of a passion than a job (I am still a student so it’s a part time job for the moment). I started when I was 14 with a point and shoot until I got my first DSLR camera in 2007. DeviantArt was an important chapter of my life because it’s on that platform that I discovered artists like Lara Jade, Anniken Hannevik, Akif Hakan Celebi and Zemotion. I was greatly inspired by them and I still follow their work to this day. Some of my all time favorite photographers are Annie Leibovitz, Inez Van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, Bruno Dayan and Lauren Dukoff. It is important for me to be inspired, be it by photos, music, films, or anything else.

I plan on working with other models and makeup artists in the future and try new and different things. I have been thinking of many concepts that I’m developing slowly but surely in my head. I also want to collaborate with writers and musicians to create meaningful artworks, and experiment with mixed media.

BRIAN DEAN

I’ve been a photographer for one year now, not so long indeed, working to specialise in fashion photography, more specifically as an editorial photographer. My future projects ? EN MODE ! ( You will understand when the time comes).

DEMONODE'S MOE

My future projects are working with natural light more and more, learning different light settings, study more on conceptual and theme photography. I'm planning to work with a team of young talented photographers and we'll experiment new stuff together and try to raise the level of fashion photography in Mauritius.

KHATLEEN MINERVE

My interest for photography arose during a trip to London in 2008 but it was not until I joined P.A.P.M. in 2010 and that friends incited me to do better that I really got keen to shoot portraits. That group and its members were the reason I embraced photography. I will say that I roughly started “working” towards the end of 2011.

I am currently planning to work on some personal projects I have been thinking about. My future projects include working with my favourite male model (Sean Craig), doing a conceptual shoot that’s close in looks to an editorial. But one thing’s certain; I’ll be doing more conceptual photo shoots and give a try to artificial lighting! It is my utmost desire to create something truly amazing from A to Z, and to steer away from clichés. I am not there yet but I’m working on it. But I am definitely taking it to the streets, which is the place where I am most inspired. Also on my agenda is my work with some other photographers; I just can’t wait to work with them to learn and share even more. We are just getting “En Mode”!

NAHIMANA Photographer: Brian Dean Model: Gwen Chan MUA: Valerie Lee Jewellery: Sarah Seneque

Fashion Week

It always gets crazy keeping up with the second week as everything seems to start at once: London Fashion Week has already ended and Milan has just begun!

But first, some of the best shows at the end of New York Fashion Week

Images courtesy of Style.com

Ralph Lauren