'BATONS & BRASS' FOR VICTORY JOURNAL MAGAZINE // /  by sophie green

New editorial titled ‘Batons & Brass’ for Victory Journal Magazine. Developed to inspire and organise troops on the battlefield, marching bands have become a wildly influential force in global culture. Often accompanied by baton-twirling, flag or pom pom-waving majorettes, the form simultaneously contains some of the most traditional artistry in the world, and the most progressive. Highly regarded groups push the envelope, from hip-hop and jazz inflected HBCU Dance teams to the massive six-to-five-stepping spectacle of the Ohio State University Marching Band. Dance routines and precise formations are inspired by themes as diverse as homelessness, chess or the fictional characters Jekyll & Hyde. My research led me to pursue more classical iterations from Kyiv, Mexico City, Bulgaria and circling back to the UK via clubs, practice halls, school fields and stadiums.

The photos in the series take us on a journey which included ‘Christ's Hospital Band’, a charitable English boarding school founded in 1552. Here they honour a spectacular tradition, where over 100 young musicians gather weekly with their oboes, piccolos, tubas and drums to march all 900 school pupils into lunch through the school’s vast grounds. Christ's Hospital's marching band resists the trend towards more progressive uniforms but instead wear what is possibly the oldest in existence hardly altering since Tudor times. Consisting of a long blue coat, belted at the waist, worn with matching knee breeches, yellow socks and white neck bands and the female counterparts with matching skirt.

Other images take us to the streets of Kyiv, Ukraine where before the Russian invasion, I documented an all-female civil drum orchestra created in 1985 called ‘Kyianky’ meaning ‘Women who are citizens of Kyiv city’. They play drum compositions in different genres and Ukrainian national compositions and create precise formations whilst in procession. Playing nationally & internationally but most notably on the military parades dedicated to the day of Ukrainian Independence every August 24th. Ranging in age from 6 to 25, the band boasted 17 different uniforms - the designs which retain many of their military influences are embellished with tassels, fringe, ribbon and other ornate designs. The ongoing conflict and repeated attacks on Kyiv, scattered the orchestra as members found refuge in different countries around the world. More recently, many have returned, and the Orchestra continues.

For groups ‘Castle Cary Cygnets Majorettes’ and the ‘Bury Starlet Baton Twirlers’ participation is a privilege and instils a sense of responsibility, community, and self-discipline from an early age. Wherever they are in the world, Marching bands, Drum Corps, Baton Twirlers and Majorettes groups express collective identity through uniform, music and movement in contribution to a radically evolving global culture.

‘DOG-EAT-DOG WORLD’ FOR VICE // /  by sophie green

‘Dog-Eat-Dog World’ - Ten minutes. A record of 76 sausages to beat. Who will qualify for the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest U.S. final?

It’s 3PM on a Saturday afternoon, and a man who goes by the name “Hot Dogg Sanchez” takes to a stage at Seal Bay holiday resort in West Sussex – a vast complex of caravan parks, formerly known as Bunn Leisure. He finds his place at a long table, shoulder-length mullet and mirrored visor sunglasses glinting in the sunshine. Next to him is “the continental breakfast eating champion of the world”. In front of them are paper plates piled high with hot dogs.

Holidaymakers, YouTubers and Americanophiles have gathered here for an important reason: To see how many hot dogs these strong-stomached competitors can shove down their gullets in ten minutes. Last year, the most famous “eater” of the modern age, Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, earned his 16th title as hot dog-eating world champion. He also holds the world record at 76 hot dogs in ten minutes, which equates to roughly 22,800 calories. Today in Selsey, UK at the tip of the Manhood Peninsula, eleven contestants are attempting to get close to Joey’s illustrious sausage crown.

Made in collaboration with Vice and Journalist, Eloise Hendy. You can view the full article here.

TYSON FURY FOR THE GUARDIAN // /  by sophie green

At Home With the Furys - Cover story for the Guardian where I photographed Tyson Fury aka The Gypsy King, the heavyweight boxing champion of the world, and his family at their Morecambe based mansion complete with gold curtains, His and Hers thrones, a gigantic Gypsy King logo freshly laid in the back drive, renderings of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel fresco on the ceilings and big chandeliers in each room that shake whenever the kids get too boisterous upstairs.

The article anticipates the unveiling of the show 'At Home With the Furys' a nine-part fly-on-the-wall reality series that’s due to hit Netflix later this month, where Tyson and wife Paris with their 7 children (soon to be 8) including Athena, Prince Adonis Amaziah, Valencia Amber, Prince John James, Venezuela and Prince Tyson Fury II are documented in the thrall of domestic life.

You can read the full article here.

Ennismore Campaign // /  by sophie green

Campaign for Ennismore - a global collective of lifestyle brands comprising hotels, resorts, venues, restaurants and bars rooted in culture and community.

The Museum of London // /  by sophie green

The Museum of London commissioned me to document community-led Coronation celebrations and events in London during the weekend of 6th-8th May 2023. These photographs capture the unique and contemporary ways in which Londoners celebrated the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at street parties and other community events. The images will be used by The Museum of London to contribute to their permanent collection of objects & photographs of previous coronations. They capture three distinct community celebrations including The Kings Coronation, Kings Road, Chelsea; Coronation Big Lunch, Maxwell Road, London Borough of Bexley and Coronation Big Lunch, Lockner Estate, Hackney, London. 

The British flags, red, white and blue balloons adorning the Hackney-based estate, transcend all notions of routine. Warmth & unity are found where tight knit neighbours from British, African & Caribbean communities come together to eat Jerk Chicken served out of a BBQ drum poised on a shopping trolley. Finger sandwiches are replaced by Ethiopian Injera bread filled with spiced chickpeas. Neighbours can be seen braiding each other’s hair.

Lisa, a resident from Lockner Estate, has been holding Big Lunches since 2009, with the events sparking more than a decade of get togethers, support and community spirit on her diverse estate in London. These events were originally inspired by the The Big Lunch - the UK's largest annual celebration for neighbours and communities that every June invites millions of people to stop what they're doing and get together in a nationwide act of community and friendship.

A wry humour is found in Bexley where children inscribe on the road in chalk the words GOD SAVE THE KINGQUEEN SHE IS DEAD whilst young Indian girls play with their toy kitchen shop and serve plastic food. Meanwhile, on the Kings Road, a young girl parades in a gold inflatable crown and a group drinks champagne alongside crowds under umbrellas, whilst the rain pours. Undeterred, Chelsea pensioners and King Charles Spaniels join the throng adorn in fur robes and diamonds. 

Other coronation activities include crown decorating, quizzes, Jenga, sports, balloon modelling, bouncy castles, national anthem singing, with long communal sharing tables stretched up and down London's roads where cuisine from every culture could be enjoyed. The weekend’s events project traditional British customs onto different, intersecting communities, resulting in a fervent celebration of modern British communities. Whilst the Coronation was a catalyst for the celebrations, Nicola the organiser of Bexley party pointed out, ‘We would use any excuse to celebrate, to have fun, to be together.’ , echoed by Lisa's words,  ‘We would be having a big party whatever. Normally you do rainbow bunting but this time we just added a few more union jacks.’

This series is a celebration of both this historic event but also of the cultures and social histories interwoven into a sense of modern-day Britishness. Against the backdrop of Brexit, austerity, and current political unease, it was important to me to find displays of communal harmony and connection within the multicultural landscape of London life. I hope that the work resonates with the positivity of shared experience which was at the heart of the Coronation.

View the full series on my website.

Dorchester Collection Campaign // /  by sophie green

Legendary Lifestyles Campaign - The Dorchester Collection guests are as important as the hotels themselves as they too reflect the brand as they become part of its inner world and community. This ‘Legendary Lifestyles’ Campaign captures the holistic creative spirit of the typical Dorchester Collection guest to celebrate their diverse lives. View the full series here.

AIR BNB CAMPAIGN // /  by sophie green

Campaign for Airbnb who commissioned me to make a unique travel diary on a trip to Edinburgh to stay with host Tessa, an artist, where staying with her is like exploring her art studio. The campaign champions just one of the millions of trips made possible by Airbnb rooms, inspiring travellers to discover how staying with a host can provide a personalised and distinct travel experience. Keep an eye out - the ad is broadcast all summer in UK & US, you can watch here.

BRIEF ENCOUNTERS // /  by sophie green

Brief Encounters in Vietnam, 2023. View the full series on my website.

WETRANSFER CAMPAIGN // /  by sophie green

Global campaign for WeTransfer titled ‘Think It. Make It. Move It’ - that documents Music Producers Jungle, and their working processes - encouraging creators everywhere to put their ideas—any idea—into action.

ZARA x WALLPAPER 'WHERE TO NOW' BOOK SERIES // /  by sophie green

I was commissioned to document the town and community of Bruton, Somerset, UK for Zara and Wallpaper’s ‘Where To Now’ book series, which proposes five off-the-beaten-track adventures demonstrated as verbal and visual field notes by different photographers and writers. Available as a 300 page coffee book embracing all destinations as well as individual guides, notebooks, posters and stickers.

In Bruton I encountered welcoming smiles, fabricated boar heads, ceramic pots, white wellingtons boots, homemade cider, leather mugs, idiosyncratic art, original Don McCullin photographic hand prints, happy cows, a letter press printing introduction, fermented vegetables, hand crafted rugs, stone guard dogs, warm apple pie and hikes around the charming Bruton in the rain with 3 cameras dangling around my neck. Lots of happy memories.

You can purchase the book series here.

Louis Vuitton Campaign // /  by sophie green

Commission from Louis Vuitton, a project which launched at their all-new exhibition, titled White Canvas: LV Trainer in Residence at Louis Vuitton’s Milan store at Garage Traversi. The ongoing project employs the emblematic all-white leather low-top LV Trainer as a blank canvas for an artistic exchange. Louis Vuitton invites three key artists shaped by the 1980s’ New York subway underground art movement to reinterpret the LV Trainer: Lady Pink, Lee Quiñones, and the Estate of the late artist Rammellzee. The result sees a collection of white sneakers decorated with elements of street art, graffiti murals, and hip-hop culture.

The images document artists Lady Pink and Lee Quiñones as they perform a live painting session on large blank canvases, pieces which formed part of the exhibition. The trainer manufacturing process of each pair of LV sneakers is made in the Maison’s Italian factories in Fiesso d’Artico and requires at least seven hours of manufacturing made by a rotation of craftspeople.

ARTIST ZADIE XA FOR TATLER ASIA // /  by sophie green


Feminism, diaspora and the afterlife: Artist Zadie Xa explores identity in her Korean folklore-inspired installations, combining sculpture, painting, light, sound, and performance to create immersive multimedia experiences, photographed in her London based studio for Tatler Asia.

Toxic Properties for Bloomberg Businessweek // /  by sophie green

Those who’ve experienced racism and misogyny at Savills, the 167-year-old UK real estate company, say its culture enables bad behavior. Management says it’s making “good progress.” A great investigative piece by journalist; Olivia Konotey-Ahulu who talked to current and former Savills employees about their experiences. All women photographed wish to remain unidentified, fearing damage to their careers if they publicly criticise Savills. You can read the article here; https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-12-15/savills-racist-sexist-old-boys-club-culture-persists-employees-allege?leadSource=uverify%20wall

 

Raw-Edges for Suddeutsche Zeitung // /  by sophie green

Portrait of design team, Raw-Edges photographed in their studio.

Suddeutsche Zeitung Cover Story // /  by sophie green

I collaborated with sculpture artist Maya Golyshkina for a Christmas inspired shoot for Suddeutsche Zeitung Magazine’s Christmas edition.

VOGUE.COM // /  by sophie green

In London, a Corgi Parade Offers a Heartfelt Tribute to the Queen photographed for Vogue.

The U.K. has been in mourning in the weeks following the death of Britain's longest-reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth II. These tributes have both adhered to the traditional parameters of royal mourning protocol, and extended far beyond the ordinary. For every mourner who lined up along the Royal Mile in Windsor or outside Buckingham Palace to lay a wreath or a bouquet of flowers, there was another who crafted a figurine of the Queen out of Lego, or made a miniature gallery of stamps featuring her profile, or even placed a marmalade sandwich somewhere in the Royal Parks as a nod to her affinity with Paddington Bear. Still, there could be no better homage to the Queen and her enduring legacy than a gesture that recognized her love of animals—and then, none more so than her beloved corgis.

On Sunday, October 9, corgi owners from across Britain convened on The Mall—the lengthy carriageway that leads from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace—to walk their faithful friends along the route by which the Queen made her final journey to Windsor Castle last month. There, corgis dressed in the ultimate finery—handmade crowns, tweed bow ties, bejewelled collars—paid their final respects to Her Majesty, even if it seemed to be unwitting. Elsewhere, corgi motifs cropped up on hand-knitted jumpers and silk scarves, the latter of which served as a pillar of the Queen’s style.

The celebration, after all, was truly fit for Her Majesty. In the words of Agatha Crerar-Gilbert, a key organizer of the parade whose corgi (named Ruffus), took center stage during the proceedings: “Rest in peace—she’s gone to heaven to join all her corgis.”

See more here; https://www.vogue.com/article/london-corgi-parade-tribute-to-the-queen