There’s been a lot of talk in recent years about brands representing “real women.” Arguments have been made that women of different shapes, sizes, ages, ethnicities and creeds are being greatly misrepresented in the fashion industry, but has anyone stopped to consider how men are portrayed? Fashionable men are more than chiseled abs and come-hither eyes. Rag & Bone's newly launched Men’s Project is a video and photo series that turns the spotlight on a diverse cast of men from various artistic backgrounds and showcases them in a personal and intimate way.
The project stars musicians Mauro Refosco, Honor Titus, Wiz Khalifa and Joey Waronker; photographer David Flinn; actor and director Harvey Keitel; actor, writer and director John Turturro; dancer and choreographer Mikhail Baryshnikov, and actor Mark Hamill. Each man is photographed in a location of his choosing in an outfit that reflects his personal style. Shot by Andreas Laszlo Konrath, each portrait is made with minimal production and direction in an attempt to capture the candid personality of each man. “Our goal with the project was to capture each artist’s personality and sense of style. These are guys we genuinely admire—for their talent, their attitude, their style. There is nothing contrived about them. They’re totally authentic individuals, but as a group they embody the spirit of the brand,” said Marcus Wainwright, Rag & Bone Co-CEO.
Pieces of the project will be released throughout the year to coincide with the arrival of new collections and seasons in place of traditional campaign ads. “The Men’s Project goes beyond a typical fashion campaign; this is what we’re all about. It’s our unique way to innovate in the creative sphere. We want to create a direct connection with our audience by creating imagery that speaks to the diversity of the Rag & Bone man,” added David Neville, Rag & Bone Co-CEO. The first series released is a photo and video of John Turturro, who was shot and filmed in his Brooklyn neighborhood.
