Written by the artists.
Team work makes the dream work, right? Photographers, hair stylists and MUA professionals came together to envisage the style of the future in a post-apocalyptic fashion shoot.
Inspired by the gritty world of Mad Max, this vision features work from Jersey-based creatives, brought to life by the roleplay of local models. The aim was to ‘showcase the incredible local talent, highlighting the strength of community and the power of teamwork’.
The Dystopian Chronicles shoot is a testament to the incredible talent found in Jersey. All models except for Rocco are Jersey-based, showcasing the rich pool of creativity in the local community. The production was a true collaboration, with each member of the team bringing their expertise and passion to the table.
A Visionary Endeavour
Oliver Doran, the ringleader, shares his excitement: “for me, it’s all about bringing talent together to create beautiful work. Teamwork makes the dream work, and my travels all over the world, including living in Middle East for 12 years, have shown me the magic that happens when creative minds come together. Unfortunately, we don’t have a huge market for this in Jersey, but productions like this one prove that we can still achieve, in my opinion, world class work.” Oliver’s global experience in advertising campaigns and production management, spanning across photography and video, lighting grips, fashion stylists, makeup artists, hairstylists, models, runners, and digital technicians, has equipped him with the skills to bring this project to life. “Even though we don’t have a market for this in Jersey, we still strive to make great productions like this one,” he adds.
Fierce Fashion Statements
The shoot’s fashion direction was led by Ana Doran, who drew inspiration from the iconic costume designs of Jenny Beavan in Mad Max: Fury Road. Ana explains, “I wanted to do my version of post-apocalyptic fashion with an emphasis on ruggedness but in a more stylised way. Each persona has their own unique personality, but at the same time, there’s an armoury between them. I used different fabrics, leather, and some metal to create looks that scream futuristic and dystopian.” All the clothes were sourced locally, with many pieces from this season. Special thanks to Voisins Department Store, who always support our shoots by providing clothes and promoting creativity in Jersey.
Ana’s vision for each character’s attire reflected their unique roles in this dystopian narrative. By incorporating a mix of practical and aesthetically striking elements, she ensured that the costumes not only looked the part but also told a story of survival and resilience. “Every piece was chosen to enhance the character’s story, blending practicality with a touch of rugged elegance,” she emphasises.
Transformative Makeup
Anais Swann, the makeup artist, brought the characters to life with her exceptional skills. “Deeply exploring the characters’ personalities helps to create the different makeup looks,” Anais says. “Bold characters who value strength needed a more fearless, untidy appearance, including deep shades of browns and blacks with a messy texture mimicking dirt, especially for the men who were more rugged and worn. Layering gold metallics on top reflected their powerful personalities. For the more vulnerable character, I used softer shades of white to disconnect her from the group, but still incorporated those strong gold textures to signify her strong-mindedness. The quirky, nerdy character had a more abstract approach with bolder shapes and sharper lines to reflect the intelligence in her personality.”
Anais’s approach ensured that each character’s makeup was not just about aesthetics but also about storytelling. The makeup was designed to highlight the contrast between strength and vulnerability, intelligence and ferocity, adding another layer of depth to the visual narrative. “Every stroke and shade was intentional, aimed at bringing out the essence of each character,” she notes.
Innovative Hair Concepts
The hairstyling, led by Damian Philpott, added another layer of depth to the characters. Damian shares his inspiration behind each look: “the idea for the Mad Max photoshoot began with envisioning what hair might look like in a dystopian future. Characters’ roles and environments in such a world would significantly influence their appearances. With limited access to skilled hairdressers and modern tools, survivors would likely draw inspiration from old magazines and pre-conflict images, adapting these looks with whatever materials they could scavenge.”
Warrior Girl
“The Warrior Girl’s hairstyle needed to strike a balance between practicality and beauty. I imagined braids, but instead of traditional techniques, I used cable ties to achieve the braided look. These ties function like hair bands, securing sections of hair tightly. Various pieces of mismatched jewellery and threads as hair extensions added a sense of rarity and wealth, reflecting a world where even cheap costume jewellery is considered valuable.”
Warrior Male
“For the Warrior Male, I initially considered a cropped look similar to Tom Hardy’s in Mad Max. Inspired by Timothée Chalamet’s hair in Dune, I eventually opted for a look reminiscent of Jean-Claude Van Damme in Cyborg. This hairstyle is almost too styled to be practical, with a messy, overgrown James Dean vibe, suggesting that natural hair oils, combined with engine oil and dust, would naturally form a quiff shape.”
Tech Female
“The Tech Female’s hair is a nod to the comic strip Tank Girl by Jamie Hewlett, with further inspiration from the character Noodle from Gorillaz. Our model’s brightly coloured hair was enhanced with dreadlocks to add texture and complexity, reflecting a personality that stands out boldly and embraces self-expression amidst desolation. This look also draws from my daughter’s unique fashion sense when she was younger.”
The Bride
“The Bride’s hairstyle needed to epitomise beauty and elegance, reflecting a character who prioritises her appearance but can also defend herself fiercely. I envisioned waves that are dry and beachy in texture, mimicking GHD curls achieved without modern tools. Tied into her hair are three bullets, symbolising the lives she has taken, akin to tear-drop tattoos on prisoners.”
The Villain
“The Villain’s hairstyle was designed to be the simplest and most practical. Styled with engine oil for a wet, slick look, his hair reflects a personality focused on efficiency and intimidation rather than beauty. This simplicity contrasts sharply with the more styled looks of the other characters, highlighting his ruthless and utilitarian nature.”
CREDITS:
Photography and Production Management: Oliver Doran (IG: @oliverdoran)
Stylist and Fashion Director: Ana Doran (IG: @ani_doran)
Hair Stylist / Creative Director: Damian Philpott (IG: @dcphilpott)
Makeup Artist: Anais Swann (IG: @anaissmakeup_)
Models: Carmen Mirano / Roc Segarra / Skye Channing / Estelle Brown / Andrew Fleming (IG: @firefxjersey)
SPECIAL THANKS:
Voisins Department Store / Elimina Avedon Hair Salon / Raphael Freire and the Freire Family / Charlotte Roque for providing water and champagne on this hot day.
Locations: Elimina Aveda Salon / Oliver Doran Studios / Strawberry Farm (Tree Matters)
