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fashion
Lacoste X Polaroid | Ellen von Unwerth Photo Exhibit
LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT5.jpg ![LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT5.jpg](https://assets-global.website-files.com/62ee0bbe0c783a903ecc0ddb/6472d3b9bd8542ef953a6f53_LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT5.jpeg) On March 17, Lacoste X Polaroid launched a limited edition ready to wear capsule collection for men, women and children. Following the launch, an exclusive photo exhibition was curated in the Lacoste stores in NYC and LA, each location containing 36 unique images on view till April 16th. Shot by Ellen von Unwerth on a limited edition Lacoste X Polaroid 600 instant camera, her familiar and colorful feminist aesthetic brought the spirit of the Lacoste X Polaroid collection to life. Ending with excitement, the two exhibits will be auctioned off, after April 16th, by Charitybuzz with proceeds benefiting P.S. ARTS in LA and Abrons Arts Center in NYC. _Flaunt_ had an exclusive interview with the artist about working with Lacoste, her time as a fashion model, and her take on modern feminism. LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT8.jpg ![LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT8.jpg](https://assets-global.website-files.com/62ee0bbe0c783a903ecc0ddb/6472d3b9bd8542ef953a6f66_LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT8.jpeg) LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT11.jpg ![LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT11.jpg](https://assets-global.website-files.com/62ee0bbe0c783a903ecc0ddb/6472d3b9bd8542ef953a6f50_LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT11.jpeg) **What can we expect from the works exhibited at the Lacoste stores?**  What you can expect from the works exhibited at the Lacoste stores in both LA and NY are small scale exhibitions I’ve shot and curated with the 600 Polaroid camera. Each of them has 36 unique polaroids of many different talents, friends, performers, models, artists, inspiring people I’ve shot in the cityscape of  New York and Paris. They really embody the joy, freedom and movement everyone needs these days!  **How was working with Lacoste on this project?**   Working with Lacoste on this project has been amazing. They came up to me with this collaboration idea and that we would create two unique pieces of art with the polaroids shot that would be auctioned off for charities. They created a really colourful and fun capsule collection based around the polaroid logo and history. I am really happy about mixing creativity and participating in a good cause.  LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT6.jpg ![LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT6.jpg](https://assets-global.website-files.com/62ee0bbe0c783a903ecc0ddb/6472d3b9bd8542ef953a6f47_LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT6.jpeg) **What has been the biggest accomplishment in your career?**  I don’t think I could choose one achievement in my career, but I am very proud that I could touch and inspire people through my way of seeing and capturing things during my career… And of course there are my ten books that have been published over the years  and my magazine, Ellen von Unwerth’s VON (@ellenvonunwerthvon), which is both printed and online since 2018. In the past two years I also had my first big retrospective museum shows at Fotografiska Stockholm and Fotografiska New York, which is now running in Tallinn, Estonia! I was very proud to be awarded a Lucie Award and a Royal Publishing Society award, both in 2020, for my achievement in the photography world.  **What sparked your love for photography?**  In a way photography has always been a part of my life, as I was modeling before I started taking images. Towards the end of my modeling career, my then boyfriend gave me a camera and taught me to use it, I started shooting and I never stopped since then. I love capturing people, life, moments to keep them alive for generations to come, just as I love to look at pictures of photographers like Brassai, Lartigue, Helmut Newton and Guy Bourdin. LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT18.jpg ![LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT18.jpg](https://assets-global.website-files.com/62ee0bbe0c783a903ecc0ddb/6472d3b9bd8542ef953a6f4d_LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT18.jpeg) LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT35.jpg ![LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT35.jpg](https://assets-global.website-files.com/62ee0bbe0c783a903ecc0ddb/6472d3b9bd8542ef953a6f56_LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT35.jpeg) **Does having been a fashion model for 10+ years have an influence in your work now?**  Being a model for years before getting into photography, I knew what it was to be on sets in front of a camera, and I knew what I didn’t like to sit still and show my profiles. I wanted to express myself, move, and be silly. That’s why I was intrigued to explore the other side. I wanted to bring out the personalities of the people I photograph and encourage them to live in front of my camera instead of posing. The result is shots which show more emotion than just aesthetic. **You've explained you have a feminist approach to photography, can you expand on that?**  For me, modern feminism is all about doing what you want, and not criticizing others for doing what they want and wearing what they want, it’s the freedom found in equality and diversity. My approach to photography is to treat people like subjects and be interested in what they are and what they do rather than have them pose like objects for my vision.  LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT21.jpg ![LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT21.jpg](https://assets-global.website-files.com/62ee0bbe0c783a903ecc0ddb/6472d3b9bd8542ef953a6f30_LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT21.jpeg) **What are you most excited for for the launch of this campaign?** I am very excited about people discovering the polaroids and the Lacoste x Polaroid collection which is super fun and colorful! Can’t wait to auction the photographs and contribute to artists’ financement and help out. LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT1.jpg ![LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT1.jpg](https://assets-global.website-files.com/62ee0bbe0c783a903ecc0ddb/6472d3b9bd8542ef953a6f4a_LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT1.jpeg) LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT36.jpg ![LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT36.jpg](https://assets-global.website-files.com/62ee0bbe0c783a903ecc0ddb/6472d3b9bd8542ef953a6f5a_LacostexPolaroidEllenvonUnwerthFLAUNT36.jpeg)