Ad Images for handbag designer KALU, with a message of hope.
I’m thrilled to share with you all these ad images for designer Kalu. This shoot was originally meant to be a simple lifestyle shoot to show the Kalu handbags. But listening to the news lately is suffocating and overwhelming, so I am using all the discomfort to create art. There is something really amazing about working with designers and makers who share similar values and ethics. I really enjoy creating conceptual ad images that send a message of perseverance and hope. The biggest challenge here was how to send the message without feeling cliched, and without loosing track of the product. The focus here is on creating ad images that balance power, hope, and beauty. In my opinion, we did just that.
Kalu’s words about the ad images:
With everything going on it has been very hard for me to find the motivation to post about my handbags and fashion related images. I soon realized that’s what this administration wants. They want us to disconnect from our art and business, to disconnect from the things we love and are passionate about. We all have the POWER to merge our art and resistance, our businesses and our beliefs. I create with intention and purpose. KALU is more than handbags and accessories, more than pictures and beauty. I am the daughter of refugees turned entrepreneurs, an immigrant, a black woman, a mother of 3, an independent designer/artist, a small business. To all my fellow artists and entrepreneurs, let us continue to create with intention and help unify a very broken America. POWER TO THE PEOPLE!”
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” – Maya Angelou
Finally, here are the photos! Enjoy!
PS. That lovely lip color is handmade by Zarah Body, check out her etsy shop. She handcrafts all her products with natural ingredients in California!
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11 Comment
Thank you for sharing your art and your story!!!
Beautiful photos! Thanks for keeping me in the loop. Is the model also the designer?
Thank you! Yes she is 🙂
Love these images!
Lovely images! I love the lighting!
You tied this idea together so beautifully in each photo- a joy to see and read <3
What a lovely and impactful ad campaign! Plus the photos are gorgeous, I love the styling!
Loved working with you!!
These are beautiful. I wonder if you do any work with high school students in general. I have always wanted to do a fashion foto shoot!
Thanks Yessenia! I have worked with high school students in the past. I’ve worked with a number of aspiring models who were all in high school at the time. Feel free to email me (or use the contact form) if you have any other questions. ?