Photo Frenzy – BA Fashion Photography Private View

One of Shiva Hajiebrahimaraghi's winning images

The balmy evening coupled with the free flowing wine and beer was the scene at the BA (Hons) Fashion Photography exhibition at the Richard Young Gallery. The 2010 LCF graduates were showcasing their final year pieces at the celebrity photographer’s show room in Kensington. The definite buzz among the overflowing crowd outside suggested that inside was something worth seeing.

The walls of the Young gallery were adorned with 56 images each with a unique concept and idea which led Course Director Edward Barber to commend his students saying “There is a lot of talent in this room.” The viewing public were in agreement, girlfriend of exhibiting photographer Bevan Agyemang, Feffan, stated “each piece is unique, with your own understanding thrown in.” This rang true with Rowan Corr’s interpretation of a fashionable football shirt. A rare Euro England 1996 shirt was tracked down and worn with a coat designed by a menswear student against a stone background.

L-R: Edward Barber, Richard Young and Simon Coleman

The award giving ceremony and speeches commenced half way through the evening with one star rising through. Within the speech givers were Course Director Edward Barber and gallery owner Richard Young, both on hand to judge the emerging talent. This is the second year Young has loaned the venue to the graduating photographers; he highlighted how hard the decision to give the latest Nikon D700 camera was. The runners up, who were given a special mention, included a 3-D spectacular by Matjaz Tancic of a bare chested woman with the crashing waves behind. The image that was described by Young as “the kind of picture I would like to take” was Jonty Van Zeller’s glamour in a shanty town. The star of the night, however was unanimously concluded by the viewers and the panel as Shiva Hajiebrahimaraghi whose portrayal of the modern versus the traditional woman of the time passing through a doorway, received ultimate praise by Young as “the picture everyone wants a piece of.”

Award winner Shiva

This came as no surprise to veteran visiting fashion and beauty photographer Barry Lategan, whose iconic 60’s images of Twiggy are still looked upon today. Lategan predicted the top prize for Shiva as one “with real depth” and was impressed with the talent on show. A graduate of 2005 from the photography course Brittany and friend Tom stated the course has “really evolved” and the work on show is “amazing”. “It was every man for himself” and there was a fight on for the masking tape.

As the friends, family, students and tutors gathered they were joined by model Sophie Anderton who had an added interest in the exhibition with graduate Zoe Escritt taking Anderton’s photo.  As I left the viewing, the frenzy in full swing, it was clear the night had been a success.  For only £295, you can purchase a piece of what is evidently going to be the names to look for in the future.

Sophie Anderton and graduate Zoe Escritt

The collection entitled Capsule #2 is on show to the public from the 16 June- 13 August 2010 at the Richard Young Gallery, 4 Holland Street.

• View coverage on Vogue.com
• View coverage on The Guardian Fashion Statement
• Shiva Hajiebrahimaraghi Showtime profile

Words by Marie McManamon, 2nd Year BA (Hons) Fashion Journalism. Party image credits: Richard Young.