Muse Series ~ Corey Jermaine
For our Muse series we'll be taking time to catch up with people who inspire us daily through their artwork, music, entrepreneurship, activism, design, etc. They are the movers and shakers of our time and are setting the bar high with their unique voice and vision.
Corey Jermaine is the man behind the lense of our Lived In Kordal Series, capturing each woman's unique personality and essence with the click of a shutter. I met Corey about a year ago during the golden hour in Soho; he stopped to snap a photo of me and we connected quickly over style and the current state of the fashion industry. I was struck by his vivid point of view in photography and the way he balanced light, color, and shadow in his work, and I thought of him immediately as we began to plan our FW18 lookbook photoshoot. Read more about Corey's work and philosophy in our Q&A below!
Was there an influential person or pivotal moment that drove you to photography?
I would you say it was several individuals, however, the three that stand out are: Scott Schuman, Bill Cunningham, and a college buddy of mine, who runs an IG page called KeepPittsburghDope.
What do you believe is one of the most interesting aspects about the world we live in, and what role do you believe photography/your work have in relation to it?
What I find most interesting, is the decentralization of information due to the internet, and how that impacts how we evolve culturally. With fashion being what I’m most curious about, I want my work to continue to reflect what I view as tasteful, interesting, and honest.
How would you describe your work practice?
I’ve always had this obsession with bringing people together from different cultures to generate honest conversations. Ultimately, I want my work to spark those conversations through the subjects I choose, location, or clothing choices made. It’s really about making you reconsider your current belief system in regards to clothing, for now.
Which artist(s) have you been into lately?
To name a few, I would say – Barkley L. Hendricks, Glenn Ligon, and Harley Weir. I’ve been really digging back into some older works from Barkley and Glenn.
Which book(s) are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading James Baldwin’s A Native Son, and Zadie Smith’s White Teeth.
You shoot a lot of street style in your spare time - which people or what types of styles do you tend to gravitate towards to photograph?
For the most part, I gravitate towards non-fashion types – I just love people who put together juxtaposing pieces. If I have to question why you chose those items, I’m more likely to snap you. I hate predictability.
View more of Corey's work on his Instagram @corey_jermaine and at coreyjermaine.com.
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Also in Journal
Lived In Series ~ Ilana Glazer
Like many of us, I was introduced to Ilana Glazer through the genius of Broad City, a show that she and pal Abbi Jacobson created and starred in. So when Ilana came to our Fort Greene shop last fall, we just about lost it! We shared that this year is Kordal's ten year anniversary and it would be such an honor to feature her in our Lived in Series to mark the occasion. Fast forward a few months later and Ilana is rolling up to set in Crown Heights on her bike, and yes, she's just as cool and kind as you'd expect. She's generous with her time, has everyone cracking up and looks incredible in our knits - even on a humid 90 degree day. We got a chance to talk about pregnancy and healthcare, how styling informs her characters, and finding levity amidst existential challenges.
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