Fashion Photograph: MKA

This image represents high fashion. The recognisable and fashion-forward image given off by the Olsen twins create an image in itself, and the composer of the photograph has purposefully created differences between the identical facial features of the models through the use of body language, levels, clothing style and exposure of different parts of the body.

For example the lighting falls on Ashleys legs, bringing them into the foreground of the picture. However, as a contradition, Mary-Kates legs are totally within the shadows and instead her arms are exposed when Ashleys are covered due to the jacket she has been put in. Hair and make-up in similar between the two and I think that this creates a more dramatic image because the opposites are highlighted against the similarities.

Fashion Icon in Fashion Photograph

Within this photograph, a particular image is given to the bracelet/ cuff itself. Despite the fact that the item is less than prominant within the shot, it can still be associated with the quirky, fashion forward and fearless image that the photograph portrays. The use of Mary-Kate Olsen as a celebrity will attract all those who are inspired by her look and her style and encourage them to be attracted to, and potentially invest in the cuff in order to appear similar to a well known fashion icon.

In my opinion, the image is more about the celebrity than it is about the piece of jewellery and the colour image below is necessary in order to present the actual item to the viewer.

There are many aspects about this image that contribute towards creating the desired effect on the viewer and I think that the person who planned and composed the image had a very fixed image in their minds of the type of consumer who they were aiming to appeal to.

I would like to investigate this image in more detail in order to understand it more fully...

The Olsen 'Look'

Mary-Kate Olsen for Interview magazine.

Mary-Kate Olsen

These fashion images are unlike any other Olsen shots that I have seen. The use of the mirror is quirky and in my opinion, rather ironic. Despite the shoot focussing on Mary-Kate, does the mirror image of the star represent the identical twin that here, she is without..? The styling of the images is also contrasting to the image that the twins usually represent.
I take a trapped feeling from the images, the tone and lighting used gives it an underwater feel.

This image differs from the others within the collection as it presents more of the clothing and style of the shoot. Again, the dress chosen appears respricting, almost trapping the wearer and oddly reminds me of a straigh-jacket.
The blue colour and tones again link to the water theme.

Portrait Photography. Rankin.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen


The Olsen twins are my style gurus. I admire the way that they approach fashion as well as their own personal styles in terms of clothing. They are famous within the fashion industry as being admirable and are often photographed in order to reflect the subject matter.
Despite the fact that these photographs are portrait and therefore do not focus upon a particular garment or 'look' I still feel that they represent fashion photography due to the use of the Olsens as models. To me, they persoify fashion and therefore both effortlessly create a successful fashion photograph.