HOTARU

THIS CONCEPT DRAWS INSPIRATION FROM ED’s ORIGINAL ARTWORK, WHICH EVOKES JAPANESE AESTHETICS. I CREATED A KIMONO THAT COMBINES STYLE WITH AN AUTHENTIC TOUCH. THE SWORD RECALLS MY LONGTIME LOVE FOR ANIME, KNOWN FOR ITS LIFE LESSONS, ENGAGING STORYTELLING, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, AND ANIMATION. IN THIS SHOOT, THE SWORD REPRESENTS THE BOND BETWEEN COMPANIONS RATHER THAN A WEAPON. ED’s BROKEN SWORD DESIGN SYMBOLIZES RESILIENCE IN PURSUING ONE’S DESTINY. THE PANTS FEATURE BASE JEANS FROM THE SLEEP PARALYSIS PROJECT, WITH FLARES REIMAGINED AS SLEEVES FROM THE KIMONO. THE CHARACTER’S OUTLINING GIVES AN ANIMATED FEEL, ENHANCING THE ARTISTIC THEME OF THE PHOTOS.

MODEL: MICAH

PHOTOGRAPHER: ISAAC

ARTIST: EDWARD MADISON

CREATIVE DIRECTOR & DESIGNER: ALLEN C.