On March 14th, 2017, the Fashion Studies Masters’ class for the Fashion Cultures course had a discussion with Guest Lecturer Alessandro Dal Buoni, regarding his experiences as a photographer within the fashion industry.

Dal Buoni began by sharing his experience his work shot for Yohji Yamamoto, Christian Dior, and L’Officiel Italia. For Dal Buoni, photography allows him to perpetually have new challenges. Additionally, he had the chance to work with Paolo Roversi for Vogue UK. Dal Buoni stressed the importance of creating a network of contacts, in order to break into the industry, and the importance of maintaining his aesthetically independence. The photography industry gives an immense creative freedom as whole, but it can be particularly standardized depending on the client’s requirements. This is precisely why it is essential to be careful while finding a balance, in order to create your own path professionally speaking. Creative freedom is very important to Dal Buoni, especially without any compromises. He always seems to have the desire for experimentation. This brought Dal Buoni added value that differentiated him from other photographers. Nevertheless, his aestheticism reflects youth, fresh faces, without the superfluous. Dal Buoni finds a certain purity in the photographs that he takes of young inexperienced models. He likes to tell a story through the photography, every shoot captures a unique moment.

Moreover, Dal Buoni continued the discussion by explaining the difficulties within photography, for example the complexity of working in the winter, and how the cold prevents models from posing while keeping their composure. He also insisted on the importance that light is paramount, thus playing with the angles by which light affects the shot. Additionally, Dal Buoni explained for one to be able to shoot a good photograph, this often relies on a precise moment in time. Hence, even if the photographed set can be repeated, at a sunrise or a sunset, these two distinct times of the day will not resemble one another.

The exchange with Alessandro Dal Buoni was exciting, captivating, and exceptional. He shared his career through the hidden stories behind each photograph displayed to us. Dal Buoni effectively transmitted his passion for photography through our class discussion.

Written by Adriano Appelius, Parsons Paris MA Candidate, 2018.

Edited by Rachel Fenderson, Parsons Paris MA Candidate, 2018.

Photo taken by Rachel Fenderson, Parsons Paris MA Candidate, 2018.