Interview | Narcography

Photo by Narcography 

Photo by Narcography 

I was delighted to interview Paula Abu of Narcography. The young photographer caught my attention when I stumbled upon the first photograph online on Twitter. I was caught by its honestly, a refreshing feat in a media filled world. Read on for an interview with the photographer. 

1. When did you start taking photos and why?

  As a kid my two favourite things were music and the cinema. My family all love film so I grew up with a deep fascination for cameras and all art forms attached. I started taking abstract photos and recording things at 15 with my first iPhone for fun until my dad bought me a camera for my 18th birthday. From then I started posting random photos I took online and I just kept going from there.

2. Your portraits are incredibly inspiring. What draws you to certain subjects. How do you choose who to photograph?

 Most of the shoots I’ve done that you’ve probably seen are clients/aspiring models who have hired me to shoot for them. Sometimes I see somebody though on social media and suddenly a whole concept pops into my head from nowhere. Then I just have to message them and shoot it.

 3. What is currently inspiring you? What is inspiring your work.

Right now it’s just people and how normal we all are. Also other photographers are really a big inspiration for me. But my biggest inspiration I would always say is music.

4. Top photography accounts to follow on Twitter and Instagram.

4. @younginwithacanon
    @crownsandowls
    @ro.lexx
    @renellaice
    @zoeygrossman
    @micaiahcarter

The list goes on.

5. If you could shoot any three people who would they be and why? 

Zoë Kravitz because I think we would have so much fun together & she’d be up to try anything.

Ryan Destiny because she’s so effortlessly beautiful so I think the photos would be amazing by default plus she seems really cool.

And right now I have a dope concept that I would like to shoot with Ari Fitz. 

6. What are your short term and long term goals with reference to photography. Where do you see yourself in a few years? 

In a few years I’d like to be shooting consistently for magazines as well as brand campaigns. Would love to have done a shoot with at least one of the people mentioned above and a few more on my ‘wish list’ and I hope to also be directing music videos. 

 7. What is your favourite image that you have taken to date.

The first image in this post. 

8. What are your thoughts on street style photography?

I think it’s important. It makes up a big part of what I consider to be my style.

9. What are you currently working on?

Currently working on finding a sense of direction in the industry. Hopefully a few campaigns are round the corner.

10. A great photo is...?

 Honest. 

Kind thanks to Paula for the interview. Follow her at  @narcography . 

Object Of Affection | Wald Berlin Necklace

Fairtrade Wald Berlin's bestseller 'Drop it like it's hot' necklace is one that you will be wearing for a lifetime. The gold plated shell with real sweet water pearls is handmade in a studio in Berlin by moms and grandmas. More on the brand at @waldberlin. 

Current Crushes | Zara Coat Christian Louboutin Heels

This winter amp up your style with pieces that add glamour effortlessly. Take inspiration with this seasons 70s direction. Think high octane style with lashings of texture and shine with rich color.  Zara gets it right with this cape coat with scarf and Christian Louboutin gives a nod to Studio 54 with these rainbow stripe So Kate booties. Wear together for all out glamour. See you on the dance floor. Buy the coat here and the boots here. 

Style Book | Aimee Song of Style

Image via @songofstyle 

There is a way how to wear over the knee boots. There is a way not to wear over the knee boots. Above is the way to wear over the knee boots right. The monochromatic palettes, the textures, the cut. Aimee of Song of Style gets it right. See more looks by the style influencer here @songofstyle. 

My Style | The Funk

Top, trousers, coat and shoes by Zara. Vintage hat. 

There is a certain funk to my style. I like my clothes like I like my life, varied and rich. Rich in texture, plentiful in print and layered in color. A spotted top shouldn't make sense with snakeskin shoes but somehow in the grand scheme of pairing them with print pants and a yellow faux fur trim leather coat it does. 

Campaign | Adut Akech X Le Lis Blanc

The Le Lis Blanc 30th anniversary campaign features model of the moment Adut Akech as photographed by Rafael Pavarotti. The Brazilian line had the model open and close their anniversary show. 

My Style | Arm Party

Image by @philltaylormade 

What is your jewellery style? Is it minimalist with clean lines or eclectic with lots of unexpected pieces? I'm an arm party type of girl. I'm talking stacked pieces fill of color and texture. Think pieces picked along the way, that tell my life story. Thrift store finds mixed with luxury mixed with high street buys. What does your arm wear look like? 

Press | Refinery 29

Image by @philltaylormade 

Some years back I was interviewed by Refinery 29. It was shot by Phill Taylor. One of the best shoots I've ever had, it was full of colour and print. 

Photo | Headwraps

I'm a headwrap kind of girl. It is my go to look. My signature if you please. I'm a headwrap girl. Once a headwrap girl, always a headwrap girl. 

Style Book | Katherine Ormerod

Black velvet luxe pant suit. Sky scraper heels, embellished barely there micro bag, nonchalant hair, minimal makeup.. this look is darling. Katherine shows why she is a style influencer in this timeless outfit that is ever so now but will be relevant years to come. Follow her at @katherine_ormerod . 

Press | E News

Some time back I was on TV on E News. Shot in New York at New York Fashion Week, it was the most fun. The cutest part was people calling me to tell me I was in their living rooms on TV. Mama I'm on TV.  

Art | Paper In Paper Life X V Magazine

Collage by Britt Berger X V Magazine. 

Britt Berger of @paperinpaperlife has created hilarious collages for V Magazine showcasing the hottest fall fashion looks collaged unto supermodels like Kate Moss and Christy Turlington etc. The latter is seen reclining in above collage wearing a fluoro green Prada jacket and Prada flame heels. For more collages click here. 

Press | Selfridges Christmas Shopping Crane TV

Some years ago I went Christmas shopping with Crane TV at Selfridges who sat me to ask all about my personal styling and work as a stylist. Enjoy darling. Follow me on instagram @marian.kwei and twitter @mariankwei . 

Trend | 80s Fall 2018

Images from Vogue and Google Images. Miu Miu | Versace | Saint Laurent

It is an 80s thing and it is stone washed and denim on a catwalk near you or at least on the Miu Miu fall 2018 catwalk. Here this denim synonymous with the decade known for big shoulders and power dressing was paired with boxy mohair jumpers. Over at Saint Laurent it was short, tight and big shouldered. Think party dresses with volume. Versace was thigh scraping as well but in acid neon brights screaming 80s supermodel. Showing up on other runways, the 80s are back and might be influencing the party dresses you might be wearing this holiday season. 

Style Book | Leandra Medine Cohen

Image via Leandra Medine Cohen on Instagram. 

Style Book is all about dissecting great style. You know those outfits that are so on point they stay on your mind long after they pop up on your Twitter timeline or Instagram feed. This outfit by Leandra of @ManRepeller is one such look. It is the outfit palette, the knee capped crop leggings that nod to the cycling shorts trend. It is the styled placement of the brown sweater, the peek of the turtleneck, the print of her clutch bag. All unexpectedly matched with a pair of hiking boots? Genius Leandra. Genius. More looks from Leandra here. 

Object Of Affection | Zara Mock Croc Ankle Boots

Image via Zara website. 

I present to you the ultimate boot for winter 2018 and beyond. Every so often you find a pair of footwear that is very 'now' whilst all the while being so timeless that it is going to stand the test of trend and time. The cowboy boot shape points to the western trend seem on catwalks like Fendi, Magda Butrym etc whilst the color and material give a nod to the 70s feel seen everywhere currently. The quality of these leather boots and cut mean it is ageless and can be worn for seasons to come albeit with a dress, skirt and jumper or jeans. These are the boots of the season. Shop them here. 

My Style | Luxe

I like texture. I like print. I like the mix of the two. This 80s cut top and the devore wrap skirt make good bedfellows. It is the colour, it is the print. It is the combination. I believe quite firmly in the strength of power duos. You know, combinations that come together from luxe separates that hold their ground individually. I love when a store pleasantly surprises and Zara is one such place, churning out pieces that could hold their own quite happily on the high fashion runway in a collection full of high textured pieces perfect for dressing up.  8 adore when a power duo comes together effortlessly. Follow me on Twitter at @mariankwei and on instagram at @marian.kwei . 

Photo | Happy Clothes

It is wonderful how photographs can take us right back to a moment. I love how a great outfit can have moments too. The moment it arrived in the post. The moment you have an incredible moment in it and so on and so forth. Had incredible moments in this Zara coordinating set. The velvet stripe trouser set is Ziggy Stardust meets Studio 54 glam. It doesn't get any better than that combo. The moments within the Croydon Park Hotel were pure joy. I think life is better lived out in happy clothes. You know, the type that are joy within themselves. The type that remind you of the moments that mean the most. 

Label Love | Wald Berlin

Handmade brand, Wald Berlin has caught my eye with their beautiful mix of sweet water pearls, gold plated silver and shells. There's is a brand that is for the woman in the know. A woman who is confident of her style, isn't afraid to be different, who knows what she likes. These intricate handmade pieces stand out with a vulnerability that is unique to them. Follow them on instagram at @waldberlin. 

Travel Diary | Accra Ghana

There is something about sunshine and coconut water that does skin a world of good. My skin lapped up the vitamin D and set against the honey dew warmth of this hair colour, my skin just glows. Never seen it look this radiant before. Meet me in Accra. Love Ghana. Love Home.