As part of this season’s presentation, photographer Finlay McKay has shot an editorial in a Brooklyn car scrap with two models looking for a brighter future, something that almost all of us can relate to. “I didn’t actively think about our current political climate when ‘concepting’ the shoot with our photographer, but in my work, there is always a sense of finding solace and hope amidst chaos and destruction”, says the NYC-based jeweller. “In addition, there is no way that any artist or creative (including our brand) can express their art without commenting on our current climate”, he concludes.
Inspired by Cronenberg’s film Crash, where a couple are sexually aroused by car accidents, the shooting merges elements of sci-fi, goth and even trash culture. Same goes for the models, who look like a mixture of punk, club kid, and goth as well. “The couple is definitely a visual manifestation of all the inspirations I normally incorporate into my work and that make up the Chrishabana aesthetic”, says the jeweller, who also adds that “in the end, the shoot documents a pair of rebels in dystopic carnage finding comfort within each other.”
Highly accessorized with Chrishabana’s pieces – from knuckle rings to giant necklaces, to septum piercings and earrings and even body jewellery –, models Dien and Jacopo also wear clothing by other edgy NYC brands like Kaimin and Willy Chavarria, in addition to others with whom Habana has collaborated – like the sunglasses in collaboration with Gentle Monster or the latex garments by Vex Clothing. “For me, collaboration is important because it pushes both parties to rethink their own way of working”, says Habana. “It’s a challenge that, when done right, brings forth fresh ideas and keeps the creative conversation going.”
