Fashion

Sikh Models... In Australia!

by ANDREW KELLY

For photo gallery, go to www.andrewkelly.com.au

Considering that perhaps less than one percent of people in Australia are Sikh* and only half of those are male, it's easy to understand how initially my idea was received with scepticism. Sure, the idea of producing a fashion spread using exclusively Sikh males as models seemed like a great idea on paper, particularly when it demanded that they were traditional in appearance and at least wore turbans. But as I presented my proposal for my final major study to my university lecturer in the first week of my final semester, the word "ambitious" was about as encouraging as it got as he flicked through my brief of ideas and the reasons behind them.

But I'm a great believer that ideas come to us like gifts. And that good ones should never be taken for granted or even worse, ignored. While I knew my work would be set out for me, I recalled some great words of advice from a friend back in the UK. "The first step is always the hardest, but with the second step we have the momentum of the first and so on.." I repeated these words to myself as I drove out to Melbourne's newest Gurdwara (one of two) early one Sunday morning to do my first scout for models.

Using Sikh models for a fashion shoot was a way I felt that I could portray the West's sudden move into India. With a booming economy, the sleeping giants of India and China are now awake and moving full steam ahead. And the changes they are bringing are rapid. India is going through a metamorphous almost exclusive to this generation. After thousands of years of traditional lifestyles, India is shedding old skin. With the west comes its consumer baiting images of the good life, and its influence is becoming apparent.

I felt that to portray this best, Sikhs would make perfect models for many reasons. First of all because they are so obviously Indian. Secondly, after a few encounters with Sikhs during a visit to India, they always came across as extremely proud, yet beautifully humble somehow simultaneously. Another point that was clear to me was that the there was a magnificent strength in the image of a Sikh male, complete with turban and beard, that hadn't been explored (as far as I could see) photographically in this style before. And lastly, and perhaps most of all, this generation of Sikhs are increasingly cutting their hair, shaving their faces and losing their turbans and taking on a more "western" look which visually would exemplify my point to a tee.

Pulling up to the half completed Gurdwara in Craigieburn, I didn't really know how people would respond to my idea. While I did want the photos to contain a small amount of wit, I was concerned that initially, I would be seen as someone out to make a mockery of the religion. As I introduced myself, two things became apparent. Sikhs are incredibly welcoming. I was offered food, drink and a tour of the facilities as well as an immediate meeting with the Granthis where I was able to explain the purpose of my visit. Also, Sikhs LOVE having their pictures taken. I went through a 1GB card in the space of an afternoon. As soon as I was free from taking one persons photo, it seemed as though there was another waiting beside me with their children requesting another photo be taken for them. By the end of the day I had my first model lined up. A sassy young law student who went by the name of Jagdeep. We organised a time for the following Thursday in the school studio. The first step had been taken.

The shoot went well, it was a new experience for me too as I'm usually out pursuing photos of a photojournalistic nature far far away from the confines of a studio. The next weekend I was determined. I ventured out to Melbourne's other Gurdwara and, on the back of one shoot, found it much easier to approach people as now it was not just an idea, it was a work in progress. I lined up two more models, one I was particularly enthralled by, who had only been in Australia a day.

As time went by I found myself immersed in Sikh culture and its people. It seemed like every day I was on the phone to a Sikh person or meeting one in town to discuss ideas for a shoot or an outfit. It was a demanding project but one that continually reaped rewards in a photographic sense. While all of the models I was using had never sat for a photo-shoot before, their enthusiasm, understanding and co-operation was inspirational in itself. I was getting results for every single session, regardless of the model. The project gained steady momentum as I ha d hoped and a strong body of work slowly built up.

With its completion I posted the work online. Already the response has been astounding. My professors were excited by the work, all of the Indians say that it was the first time they've seen this approach taken when photographing Indians and my non Sikh friends say it's a relief to see Fashion shoots that don't contain tall skinny white girls and guys.

For me, I'm just happy that it's worked out as I hoped it would. Sure I had doubts, but I had always hoped to find a way to combine the incredible lighting and creativity synonymous with Fashion Photography, with the intelligence and relevance of Social Documentary.

I still consider this a work in progress. Now that I've seen how it can work, I feel that I've scraped the surface of what can be achieved. I'm hoping to try this approach on the Streets of India itself. I feel that India can provide a stunning backdrop to some more smart and sexy Sikh fashion portraiture.

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