(“Shibuya Black Hat”
Tokyo. Pic: Mark Lanning)
Respected photographer, Mark Lanning, is exhibiting a
collection of “iphonography” (photographs taken on an iPhone5) of a recent
visit to Tokyo with Durban designers the Holmes Brothers, entitled Colab Tokyo, at the Station Drive
Precinct in Durban.
Tokyo is considered to be one of the global fashion
trend-setters. Designers and retailers from around the world critically follow
the trends and styles initiated in Tokyo. Lanning accompanied Laurie and Gary
Holmes on a ten-day visit to Tokyo in March, accompanying them while they
visited some of the city’s premier boutiques and fashion stores to check out
their summer ranges.
“Tokyo is six months ahead of us on the cutting-edge of
global fashion. Designers like the Holmes Brothers can find inspiration in both
start-up and established brands in Tokyo. Travelling with them was amazing. I
learned so much by watching them closely examine shapes and styles and the
detail of textures, fabrics, buttons and finishings. Of course the Tokyo look
will be adapted to suit the casual feel of Durban. But the inspiration was
definitely there. The trip gave me huge insight into the industry and an
understanding of the intensity and risks involved,’ considered Lanning.
Using his iPhone5, Lanning captured the essence of this
complex and beautiful city and its myriad people – an old bookseller in his
shop; the breathtaking modernity of the public buildings; a late-night game of
pool; a young man on his mobile phone; visitors to the Museum of Contemporary
Art, and a shiny car.
“The images are a very personal take on my experience of
Tokyo,” Lanning adds. “The city is very orderly and clean; a freshly-scrubbed
patina. The textures were amazing and I met astonishing people; they are so
well mannered.”
Some 12 carefully-chosen images make up the exhibition which
hangs on the walls of Durban’s newest cultural precinct: Saviour Brand in
Station Road, to celebration the venue’s first anniversary.
Saviour Brand celebrates artistry; craftsmanship,
heritage.... and entrepreneurial spirit in creating bespoke items of beauty. A
coffee shop which serves great coffee and light meals merged with a retail
outlet of Holmes Brothers distinctive Durban designed garments; and Saviour
Brand’s coveted range of hand-designed and individually-crafted leather ware
and accessories: bags; wallets; purses and iPad cases.
Lanning has taken photographs professionally since 1988, He
has returned to KZN after spending many years working in advertising in
Johannesburg. In Durban he is perhaps best known for his collaborations with
design wunderkind, Neil Roake, in his lifestyle and food books. Together they
travelled to the New York Food Festival, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Mozambique,
producing a series of food stories. He worked with Roake and writer Glynis
Horning on a two year project taking images of Soweto which resulted in the now
iconic coffee table book - Life Soweto
Style. He has collaborated with the Holmes Brothers since ’98 on shoots,
shows and catalogues.
“I love being part of the creative process in this city -
Durban has great positive energy,” enthused Lanning.
Colab Tokyo can be
seen at Saviour Brand: Station Drive Precinct, 51 Station Drive, until July 31.
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