PRIMATE COUTURE
This is a look at the basics and roots of fashion. Through the viewfinder we studied those who are nearest to us – the Great Apes.
Some anthropologists say that the prehistoric human was not only wearing animal fur for protection, but for dress up themselves and to impress others. This would also mean vanity and not only practical use was playing a role at the beginning of clothes.
Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld once mentioned that the difference between animals and human is fashion. So, how big is the difference? The boundaries between us and our wild brothers and sisters are flowing. We used fashion as a tool to be aware of this.
The shootings took place in the Zoo Krefeld, Germany. The orangutans, chimpanzees and gorillas were neither tamed nor trained. No person could enter the enclosures while the apes were in. Whatever our models did, they did on their own. Any intervention or directing was impossible. That was out of the photographers' hands.
We never wanted to take away the dignity of the apes or be disrespectful. And we can assure that Massa, Charlie, Sita, and the others had lots of fun. Nevertheless, this photo production was a walk along a borderline.