We left the Paco Rabanne studio in Paris feeling mesmerized by the craftmanship and care we witnessed in the creation of these garments. I knew I had to photograph them to life, in movement, and on a woman strong enough to carry the clothes. When Kelly suggested shooting the collection on her friend Athena Calderone I knew it was right. She is an incredible interior designer in New York, wife, mother, content creator and gorgeous woman. She effortlessly slipped on the heavy metal work dresses and floated around the set as if she were weightless. For a moment in time I felt the spirit of what Paco Rabanne means for women was alive in front of me. A celebration of hard and soft, excess and simplicity, modern and expressive.
In the middle of Hurricane Sandy, without power or subways, Athena, Kelly (both walking 5 miles to get here) and I found our way to this collection to bring a form to it and see the vision realized by Lydia Maurer and those talented craftsmen who spent so many hours lost in the French couture details of Paco Rabanne.
A very special thank you to Athena Calderone for being my fearless muse.
Paco Rabanne Spring 2013 / Styling by Kelly Framel