Photographer Recreates Frida Kahlo’s Vogue Shoot With Teen as Model
If a notable photographer told you that they wanted to recreate Frida Kahlo‘s iconic 1937 Vogue cover and that you’d be the star, what would you say? You’d probably pass out and then jump at the chance, right? Thirteen-year-old Bella Pincus was the lucky girl that got asked that exact question, and even though she
Photo: Instagram/julieellerton
If a notable photographer told you that they wanted to recreate Frida Kahlo‘s iconic 1937 Vogue cover and that you’d be the star, what would you say? You’d probably pass out and then jump at the chance, right? Thirteen-year-old Bella Pincus was the lucky girl that got asked that exact question, and even though she was initially taken aback, she gladly accepted the offer.
“At first I was so surprised that he wanted to do that, but it feels so great,” Bella told Teen Vogue about her collaborative work with fashion photographer Brian Bowen Smith.
Smith approached Bella and her mom, Ana Fernandez Pincus, after seeing Bella’s artwork. Smith also photographed Ana for this series, which was shown at the Malibu Lumber Yard in Malibu, California last week.
The beautiful mixed media images are composed of Smith’s photography with Bella’s paintings, which give the finished pieces a unique and expressive take on the Frida themed Vogue shoot.
“I did some research on [Frida Kahlo’s] work, and all of her work had a lot of nature and animals so I [painted] the flowers and parrots,” Bella told the publication. “I was inspired by her work and wanted to keep her authenticity.”
The entire project seemed to be a family affair. While Smith did the shoot, capturing Bella as Frida in three images (the Vogue cover, Frida’s self-portrait and cropped hair painting, and another full-face portrait), Bella incorporated her original artwork on the photograph itself. Bella and her mom (who has worked as a stylist in New York City) styled the shoot. According to the publication, Ana “borrowed threads from her friends, including embroidered dresses and tailored suits that resemble the lauded artist’s self-portraits.”
Bella’s art aspirations mirror that of Frida’s as well. If you’re a Frida lover you know that the Mexican legend studied art as a young girl, which eventually lead her to becoming one of the most recognizable artists in the world. Like Frida, Bella also hopes to continue to advance as an artist and someday reach that same iconic level. For now, however, Bella will continue to live her life as a teen, go to school, and hopefully get her own studio one day.
Sadly, the exhibition is now over but you can see the images by clicking here or here. What do you think of this recreation? Let us know in the comment section below!
