This month, the newest SCAD Fash exhibition debuted in Atlanta. This exhibition focuses on the work of photographer Rober Fairer, especially all his backstage work for Galliano, Marc Jacobs, Dior and Alexander McQueen. “Backstage Pass: Dior, Galliano, Jacobs, and McQueen captures the zeitgeist of the turn of the 21st-century, an era of artistic zenith in runway show productions…” (SCAD FASH). Getting to watch live streams or behind-the-scenes content is the norm nowadays, but during the early 2000s, the backstage chaos was not publicized. The docents at SCADFash mentioned that Fairer actually started out wanting to shoot for National Geographic, and through his wife, he was introduced to the world of fashion. Bored by taking runway pictures, he turned to shoot the craziness of what happened behind the curtains. Now, the backstage environment at runway shows is much more systematic and organized, but in those times, it was a circus of colors, people, fashion and emotions.
Hearing that this exhibit will only have photographs left me disappointed, as I thoroughly enjoy all the incredible pieces of couture that comes into the space. But let me assure you, this exhibit is a breath of fresh air and immerses you in a world not open to the public through absolutely stunning imagery.
The images are laid out in small sections dedicated to the fashion show or designer they are from. They are framed and printed by SCAD students, and you can see the time and absolute precision that has gone into setting up this exhibition.
The docent explained the history and story behind each image and fashion show, which provided an additional layer to all the images. My favorite part, however, was the soundtrack that was playing throughout the exhibit. A SCAD sound design professor created the soundtrack which emulates what you would hear backstage at a show. You can hear cameras flashing, heels clacking and subtle conversations. The mood and ambiance of the whole exhibition made the pictures feel intimate and personable. I was also so impressed that all the images were taken on a film camera. Some images also have stars and markings on the corner, indicating their selection for a magazine. The exhibition also features various video collages with more images from particular shows.
I am absolutely taken by this exhibition and want to visit again to really enjoy each piece individually. I highly recommend you attend and explore this wonderful exhibit which will be open until April 16, 2022. For more information, visit:
https://www.scadfash.org/exhibitions/robert-fairer-backstage-pass-dior-galliano-jacobs-and-mcqueen