The Great Divide
New York City has always been a place of contrast and struggle. The gap between the privileged rich and the dirt poor has never been wider. Emphasized this week by the rolling, opulent bandwagon that is NY Fashion Week. A heady, shimmering display of extravagance and indulgence. As a photographer at the event, I guess I am part of it. Helping to feed and perpetuate this glittering circus and earn a living along the way. All of the images below are mine but I think the last one puts the whole thing into perspective.
Designer: Pamella Rowland
Designer: Maison de Urbana
Designer: Venexiana
Designer: Monique Lhuillier
On the outside and just below freezing
As another of the minions who follow and document Fashion Week, I find this dose of reality so poignant. Thank you for the beautiful photos, and the one terrible one that keeps us grounded. Welcome back, Lust & Rum, you have been missed.
As ever, your comments are most humbly received. Thank you.
Cities really do illustrate the great divide so well, don’t they? I live in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and it is just as obvious here as in any other city I have lived/visited. Thank you for sharing this well told visual story with us.
I understand that there are over 1 million homeless people living on the streets of Addis Ababa (New York City has around 50,000). A shocking statistic and one that is mirrored in every city across the globe. Politicians will continue to ignore this growing problem while they are supported by the indifference of their voters until they are affected by it themselves. Only then will they demand action. Unfortunately it is and always will be a case of the blind shouting in the general direction of the deaf. Thank you very much for your comment.
Hi Anton, it’s good to see you back! Striking and poignant. Stunning fashion photos and yes your last photo of the homeless woman put every thing back in perspective. You are their voice.
groetjes, Francina
Thank you Francina, As the temperature rises there are more and more homeless people out on the streets of New Your. So the ‘voice’ will be getting a little louder in the coming months.
you forgot to identify the designer label on the last image, he said with a touch of sarcasm… as always, another great story of the two very different worlds known as NYC.
Thanks, very droll Stephen.
Stirring, Anton. Your work is remarkable.
Thank you Karen.
You are very kind Karen, as always. If I could get anywhere close to your technical ability and remarkable composition I would be more than happy. Thanks.
It’s been a long time – or did I miss something? Worth waiting for though, for the final image in the context and for the superb shots preceding it.
Thank you. Yes it has been a long time and no, you missed nothing.
And so good to see you back!
Appreciate that, thanks.
Reblogged this on Vampyre Fangs and commented:
Powerful imagery from the man behind the lens behind the Lust & Rum blog. This piece stopped me in my tracks!
Thanks for the re-blog. I actually think it looks better on your site than it does on mine.
All absolutely beautiful shots Anton. As a woman, I feel for them all; each and every one them at the mercy of power, wealth, youth, fading beauty and doing their best to support themselves. I honestly don’t know what the answer is . . .
Hey Patti, I guess (sadly) we are all in the slipstream of something. Thank you for the comment.
Very economically and elegantly put. Love your work.
Thank you Richard, always good to hear from you.
Unfortunately some of the models are just as thin as the shot of the last woman! Its a world wide problem (poverty), but we ARE gaining a collective consciousness about having and not having. Perhaps the upshot of all this consumerism (high fashion) is the fact that we are indeed making more informed decisions about whether or not we purchase “luxury” goods we do not need. The wheel that makes the west go around (consumerism) may very well be our downfall. We are all the same inside – the difference with these photos is that the models inside are warm and comfortable (and wealthy), whereas the street woman is cold and uncomfortable. So when are we all going to do something about this inequity and imbalance in society people? I hope you left her a big fat tip for the photograph?
PS: I still love fashion because it is art, but you always provoke a conundrum with your work – well done, brilliant shots.
Some great points you make. I agree, consumerism could be the downfall of us all. I guess it plays its part in keeping people employed and therefore above the poverty line. A double edged sword?
Stunning photography as always. I love your work but I like the statements you make even more. Nicely done.
It means a lot to hear that. I am a great admirer of your blog.
So much said in so few words…..
As always, I thank you for taking the time to comment.
Your photography is extraordinary, and your choices profound.I keep returning to see the set of images as you’ve posted them. At the end, my response remains the same – a soft sad murmur “oh God.” And thank you for your visit to my humble abode.
Thank you, It brings me down to earth very fast when I come face to face with the other end of the spectrum.
I think last photo summed up the contrast perfectly – the divide between have and have not has never been bigger than it is today throughout the world.
Great to hear from you, as ever, thank you for taking the time to comment.
wondered where you had been, going up to gods country in a few weeks again !
Give a wave in the direction of Cudworth if you would, thanks
You said a lot with few words.
Thanks
Wow…and she’s holding Town and Country real estate…contrasts within contrasts.
I know, I wondered who would spot that.
By the second photo, I was hoping that you would end it as you did…thank you…..
It does bring you down to earth with a bump.
Very much so.
Magnificent! Stunning models and incredible images. My heart is breaking for the woman on the street. Blessings, Robyn
Thank you
A powerful and striking comparison.
Sad but true. Thanks for the comment