Shadow and Substance: The Creation of 'Power of Witches'
In the shadows of the creative world, a project emerged that was as enigmatic as it was revealing. 'Power of Witches,' a piercing gaze into the arcane processes behind fashion imagery, was a collaboration that summoned the mystical aura of Comme des Garçons’ Autumn/Winter 2004 Witches collection. The minds behind this revelation were none other than the visionary photographer Nick Knight and the avant-garde designer Rei Kawakubo.
Published on 28 May 2004, Knight's photo diary, "Power of Witches," wasn't merely a collection of photographs but a compendium of secrets laid bare. Over 270 images captured not just the ethereal designs but the very sinews of the creative process. From the nascent ideas in raw, unedited conversations to the alchemy of post-production, the diary chronicled every ritualistic detail over a three-month odyssey from conception to revelation.
The project transcended the traditional, transforming a photo shoot for AnOther Magazine’s Autumn issue into a live-broadcast spectacle. This digital séance allowed the audience to step into the circle, witnessing the daily incantations and interruptions that fueled the project’s dark heart. Questions from viewers pierced the veil, answered in real-time by Kawakubo and Knight, further entwining the observers in the spell being woven.
In this unorthodox gathering, even the typically unseen post-production processes were revealed—screenshots depicting the transition of images from their raw, untouched states to their final, bewitched forms, all under the meticulous hand of retoucher Allan Finamore.
But it was the collaboration with Rei Kawakubo that added an extra layer of mystique. Known for her disregard for conventional fashion norms, Kawakubo’s responses and directives during the retouching sessions infused the project with a potent mix of innovation and tradition, pushing the boundaries of what fashion imagery could evoke.
Knight's diary is more than a photo album; it is a grimoire, capturing the spells cast behind the scenes to transform fabric and form into something that transcends the material—a collection that whispers of witchcraft and wears its power proudly.
Through this unique window into the creative process, 'Power of Witches' stands as a testament to the power of transparency in an industry often shrouded in secrecy. It challenges the observer to look deeper, beyond the glossy surface, and find the dark beauty woven into the fabric of creation. In the world of fashion, as in witchcraft, nothing is quite as it seems.
