Rafael Pavarotti: Re-thinking Color in Photography

When we take photos, we think of the past, of how to restore a memory into an image to be revisited. We understand photos as a transmission of the past, a gateway to visit memories that have already passed. Not often do we think of photos as an entrance to the future, as an invitation to future days and as a device that belongs to processes of social change.

Born in the Amazon rainforest, Rafael Pavarotti is a fashion photographer who bases his practice on behalf of future generations. In centering diverse representations of Blackness in an industry dominated by Western beauty standards, Pavarotti wants to normalize visibility on behalf of current growing generations and for those who will come afterwards. Significantly, celebrating Blackness in the fashion dimension supports Black communities in breaking the prominent status quo that under-represents them. Creating work within the fashion industry that centers side-lined communities is fragile but becomes a force of empowerment both for the self and towards broader communities. His roots are not only his backstory but also his drive for creative work and his overall aspirations.

Nowadays, we recognize Pavarotti’s work through strong, rich contrasting colors in carefully picked out palettes, but his photography journey began as a creative venture with his peers where they used film photography to capture their surroundings, such as beaches. At the age of 16, Pavarotti expanded his photography work by deciding to leave his hometown due to his interest in media documentation of fashion. In the present, Pavarotti has photographed covers and contributed to collaborations with various well-known fashion magazines, such as British Vogue and other designer brands, including Dior. He brings his commitment to under-represented communities and his attention to celebrating these identities. As a renowned creative figure collaborating with well-known brands, his camera became a tool for transformation in his journey to shift the landscape of fashion and media. Pavarotti and many rising Black photographers, re-define a confined, exclusionary industry through imaginative work memorable for compositions reminiscent of sculptures.

‘Future proof’ is a photo series featured in British Vogue, playing strongly with tones, shades and an overall gleam. Colors that seem oppositional bleed together, forming unforgettable imagery.

Celebratory and playful imagery of Black and Indigenous peoples empowers individuals and announces a sense of allyship. This is an in-particularly important aspect for someone prominent within the industry. The blinding and glossy colors, together with spirited compositions, are intense but  add a* refreshing manner.

Fashion emerges as an art of performance, while photography is still art. Pavarotti uniquely merges the two as a work of sculpture. For Off-White, Pavarotti photographs models against blinding blues, with cool tints throughout the clothing. The boldness of the blue draws immediate attention, especially in contrast with the fashion textures, shadows and other colors. He challenges the fashion photography industry to reconsider the potential of color theory, compositions, and scope of diversity, opening up new opportunities to drive contemporary photography forward.

The future waits for us in vivid palettes and spirited compositions. Frequently, Pavarotti collaborates with Ibrahim Kamara, a stylist and fashion editor of i-D Magazine. Together, they curate distinctive, eye-catching covers due to deeply saturated colors that are interactive with photographed accessories and fashion pieces. Each photo's high gloss and contrast are pleasing to the eye and ultimately introduce new ideas and conceptualizations about how color can be utilized in fashion photography. Together, they remind creatives and viewers that fashion is celebratory and its nature is fun, collaborative, and innovative.

Article by Kairui Cheng, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Summer Safi, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine

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