Self portraits of 20 different characters and text by @marietomanova for a cover story of @shadowplay_magazine Creative Direction by Thomas Beachdel Fashion by @aryehlappin Hair by @kazukatahira @forwardartists Make up by @akikoowada @thewallgroup Stylist’s assistant Ella Christensen “The power of images is undeniable. Seeing yourself in a photograph is like seeing yourself from the outside, looking at yourself from a distance, from the perspective of others. For Untitled Portraits I explored self portraiture and created 20 different personas and rediscovered parts of myself in doing so. My inspiration was Cindy Sherman, and also those Andy Warhol Polaroids of famous people, esp. of downtown New York-with all their glam and fabulous expressive identities. I always longed to be part of that era. I forgot how fabulous it felt to have big, long hair that slates you among the sex icons of people like Jerry Hall or Marilyn Monroe. I saw how I could look with big red lips and eye lashes so long that my eye lids are heavy. I was reminded of my twenty-something-self when my hair was long enough to cover my breasts and the only power and self-value I had back then was my femininity, my body, my sexuality. Seeing myself like that again felt surreal and confusing. But I kind of liked it... Then I went the opposite direction. I always wanted to have a mustache. And the one I photographed myself with fits me so well. I sometimes use a boy’s name for myself - Mario. Here, I was finally Mario in full force. It gave me new sense of confidence, it brought up my cockiness, determination and extroversion, to yet another level than before. I cherished all the identities! So the real question it stirred inside of me is the very core one. Who am I? ✨”