May the Sofia Coppola and Marc Jacobs online touring and the BTS and K-pop Demon Hunters hype give some space for the next pop girlie obsession. The following, you read out loud: “Hey Siri, place a reminder for my next purchase in my calendar,” as today is the official launch of the new Petra Collins book, Star (Rizzoli) — pray for Addison and Rosalía to leave some copies for the rest of us. This time, the Canadian-Hungarian photographer explores the world of two fictional girl idol groups, apparently set in an Asian urban environment, drawing inspiration from the 2000s bands and pop singers she grew up listening to.
Quick FYI: if you didn’t know her yet, Petra Collins is responsible for those aesthetic pics you’ve saved for inspo on IG. She has photographed a wide range of female idols including Billie Eilish, Mia Goth, Blackpink’s Rosé, Nicole Kidman, Rosalía, Pamela Anderson, Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, Olivia Rodrigo, Charlize Theron, Dakota Johnson or Selena Gomez, to name a few. These subjects continue her trademark exploration of contemporary femininity, both online and offline.
Petra’s artistic journey began when she was fifteen years old. She has also been featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, among several other recognitions, and has had the chance to experience the music industry from backstage, giving her both an insider’s perspective and that of a fan: a full 360º view of the lives of these artists. And that is exactly what her new book, Star, takes readers through. Collins mentions vulnerability, emotional candor, surrealism, and even obsessive fans as some of the key elements behind this lifestyle.
This printed project arrives at a time when the phenomenon of female-led K-pop, the many evolving interpretations of femininity, and its portrayal in digital popular media are all thriving. We have witnessed the uncontainable free spirit, loyalty, and power of fandoms, which Collins also highlights as key to her new book and to the music industry, often led by young girls and women who find strength in this sense of sorority. And so comes Star, bringing together the best of the music industry’s romanticised lore, cinematic gaze, storytelling, and the global rise of Asian pop culture.
Petra recalls returning to her earliest ways of shooting for this project. As usual, her photographs feel more like frozen film stills rather than traditional photoshoots. She integrates clever creative resources to construct a reality infused with a kitsch sensibility, while we live alongside Ashley, Yuyu, Siren8, and B, the main characters. Gosh, Petra, please turn this into an actual movie! The use of POV as a way to immerse the viewer, combined with short chapters, makes it easy to forget that you weren’t actually there — that these are not your memories, but her photographs. Be careful not to linger too much on every frame, trying to imagine the moments before and after. Petra has the ability to give you just enough spark to ignite a fire on your own terms.
Highly recommended: get your copy, grab some snacks, and put on an unbeatable 2000s pop soundtrack. You’ll find it easy to identify when to play more whimsical, neutral, or even darker songs — for the eerie yet real gaze of their fans and stalkers to flow along with the story. Ah! And don’t forget to take good care of your printed copy, as it may guarantee you a better price when you are auctioning it on eBay in 2036. You can get it online, but also, Petra will be celebrating an official launch party at NYC’s Climax Books on April 18, so don’t miss it if you’re around!
