After moving to England,in three years time I became more aware of the connection to my homeland- Latvia. I describes it as my own cultural awakening. During my final year of studies this awareness manifested itself in a fashion photography project. ‘Latvian Renaissance’ uses a lot of symbolic details that are embodied, most importantly, in jewellery from traditional Latvian costumes, as well as in the colour throughout the images, referring to the national Latvian flag. Fashion images are complemented with monochrome still life imagery of very fragile nature details which bring out the lightness,harmony and sensitivity of nations mentality. Models are in symbiosis with nature, resting in themselves, at the same time being sentimental, nostalgic but emotionally strong. The powerful conjunction between historical and contemporary, delicate and vigorous is my approach to this story as contemporary fashion design meets cultural heritage.

Photography: Monta Dedele

Styling: Zane Valujeva

Make up&Hair: Agnija Bistrova and Kristine Bauge

Models: Krista, Laima, Davids @Starsystem Latvia and Beki Kellet

Fashion designs: Reinis Ratnieks, Anete Krisjanova ,Alexandra Westfal,Ulrika Becker, cooculte.com , Arvils Linde, Mass and Agate Rubene