al·ien·a·tion / alien·nation

A KALTBLUT exclusive. Photography by May Truong. Art direction by Nuhad Haffar-Orsini. Styling by Nelly Akbari. Hair & Makeup by Christina Fiori. Models are Damaris and Gat at B&M Models. May Truong was born on a sinking ship in the middle of the South China Sea. She was almost thrown overboard but was saved by her kung fu master turned ballroom dancer father. She is a fashion and portrait photographer that has been published in The New York Times, The Impression, The Globe and Mail, and more.

al·ien·a·tion / alien·nation

In a world of constant connectivity, we are seeing an alarming trend among countries who are alienating migrants geographically, socially, and politically.

Our own experience with migration has allowed us to understand the duality that encompasses it. Refugees inhabit a space that exists somewhere between the past and the present; the foreign and the familiar; turbulence and stability. Our series of photographs highlights some of these existing juxtapositions, while capturing the varying lenses through which refugees and migrants are viewed.

Balaclava: Stylist’s own
Dress: Madeleine LeBlanc

Focusing on costumes that reference the disparity between connection and alienation, we collaborated with Toronto-based fibre artist Madeleine LeBlanc, who’s own work correlates with themes of alienation and dehumanization. The costumes worn by the models not only distort their identities but in some cases limit their movement evoking the idea that these stereotypes stack on refugees further adding to their burden.

The debate around migration has become increasingly divisive. Our hope is to inspire change by sparking an honest discussion about alienation and talking about the issues that can elicit change. We are all human searching for the same basic rights: shelter, nourishment, and joy of human connection.