Bespoke Project 02: A unique jacket for an architectural photographer
Last year I collaborated with James Retief, an architectural photographer and our photographer for Söder Studio, on a bespoke jacket for his first private exhibition at Gareth Gardner Gallery. To mark the occasion, James asked me to create a bespoke jacket that would signify this special moment in time, as well as being a practical garment for him to wear and to work in.
I joined James down on the Thames in Wapping, so I could understand more about his process and see the jacket in action. Continuing the work from his exhibition, which is an exploration of the spaces underneath the wharves and piers of the Thames that are only revealed twice a day by the tide, James talked me through his approach.
I was fortunate to experience one of these spots, similar to many of the spaces he has spent hundreds of hours exploring, a huge ‘Tidal Room’ on the shore of the Thames that is largely hidden from the public. I was fascinated by his careful process of sketching out a shoot in this new location and talking through what the ideal conditions would be for the final photographs such as; time of year, the height of the tide and the time of day that would create the perfect lighting conditions.
It was such an enjoyable experience to collaborate with James on the project. Having been a pattern cutter in the fashion industry for 10 years, I love the creativity of developing new shapes based on a personal brief and it gives me such joy to bring someone’s ideas to life.
