A KALTBLUT exclusive. Photography, Styling, Art Direction by Kristina Vrdoljak. The model is Valentina Brekalo signed at Midikenn. Make up by Maja Gligorić. Designer is Vicko Racetin.
“I am a photographer and stylist from Zagreb, Croatia. My formal education is in journalism but an informal one is in fashion. I love fashion inspired by costumography and creating unusual situations in my photos. People I meet and my everyday life are very inspiring to me. Fashion photography is a way of getting a fresh perspective on reality. Clothes can animate a feeling or a sensation. I believe both can be artful expressions as much as social commentary. For that reason, it is hard for me to separate styling and photography and only do one.
The Dark Jailbird editorial was a way of saying goodbye to the relatively dreadful state I was in. Experiencing pandemic and unemployment at the same time did a lot of damage to my confidence and courage. Simultaneously, online existence did little to spark enjoyment or even mild entertainment. So-called trends that persisted on social media generated pathos. They seemed even more shallow as the experience of isolation prolonged. Living indoors became intense. It was a reminder of a life I was very determined to avoid. Lacking in substance, everyday produced more and more fears and bad feelings, hence the horns on my model. As time passed horns came off but shells of popular culture remained attached to the body.”
Photography, Styling, Direction by Kristina Vrdoljak / Instagram: @abschiessen
Model is Valentina Brekalo signed at Midikenn / Instagram: @valentinabrekalo
Make up by Maja Gligorić / Instagram: @mgligoric_makeup
Designer is Vicko Racetin @vickoracetin
