London based photographer Alistair Guy is no longer to be introduced. As he just opened his last portrait exhibition last week, Alistair has set himself among today’s great reportage photographers. Shot From Above can be seen as complementing Guy’s previous show featuring women that make British fashion what it is today, Behind The Seams.
“I have chosen these people because I know and like them, they are doing great things in London fashion – which is the cutting edge of fashion creativity in the world”. Various fashion heads have accepted to participate such as Harold Tillman, Chairman of the British Fashion Council (BFC), who was photographed in the Aquascutum flagship store or renown milliner Stephen Jones who stands amongst his precious headpieces.

Alistair’s career path is quite traditional, he went to an art school for four years and has a degree in photography. He has been working as a professional photographer for ten years and in the fashion industry for 2 years. It all started with Style.com and Mr Start, the founder of Shoreditch’s START boutiques. Influenced by Arnold Newman, Irving Penn or Cartier Bresson, Alistair’s shots have something very unique about them, they express a particular point of view via the angle chosen.
More than a fashion story photographer, Alistair masters backstage and catwalk shootings and has proven to be a great reporter on London’s most fashionable events. In private, he is just lovely; we really enjoyed having a chat with him.

1/ What brought you into photography?
AG: When I was twelve years old I photographed H.R.H. Duchess of Kent and in doing so got photographed by a photographer who happened to be a family friend and he very kindly gave me the picture! My interest grew from then on.
 
2/ What kind of features do you prefer among fashion stories, portraits and reportages?
 AG: I enjoy all mediums but if I had to chose one it would portraiture as it has more longevity.
 
3/ What is your most memorable shoot so far?
AG: Photographing Robin Derrick on the roof of Vogue House during Shot From Above was pretty memorable.
 
4/ Who do you really enjoy to work with when it comes down to models and make-up artists?
AG: It depends on the shoot so that is hard to say with whom; a lot of what I do is capturing that moment so there isn’t usually any time for preparation.
 
5/ You will be showing at Start London one of your latest photo series called Shot From Above from this week until June, how did you come up with this idea?
AG: I wanted to photograph at a different perspective from last years exhibition and menswear has grown considerably in fashion since last year.
 
6/ What do all your subjects have in common?
AG: They all work in the London fashion industry.
 
7/ What did you want to reveal about them?
AG: What they look like in their everyday fashion environments.

8/ Is Shot From Above the continuation of Behind The Seams, your previous exhibition that
celebrated women that make British fashion?

AG: Yes but I wanted it to be different in subject matter and angle.
 
9/ What do you think about today’s tailoring?

 AG: I love the fact that tailoring has come back in such a big way, especially with the resurrection of the unbelievable talented Saville Row in London.
 
10/ Is there any brand or person that pops into your mind when hearing the word “tailoring”?
AG: Mr. Start.
 
11/ Do you prefer to shoot for an online magazine or for a print publication?
AG: I use both in my work today but there is nothing like seeing your pictures in print, especially when its British Vogue.
 
Swide’s Q/A
 
Is fashion fashionable?

AG: Yes

Casual or formal?

AG: Formal

Series or features?

AG: Series

Tradition or modernity?

AG: Both

Cover or undercover?

AG: Undercover

Sources: alistairguy.blogspot.com, www.alistairguy.com

Photo credits: Alistair Guy and Mr Start, Alistair Guy on a shoot is by Emanuele D'Angelo.

Text by Delphine Hervieu.