In a room
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In a room is an editorial directed by AruiLin and Francesca Russo that raises questions about the definition of femininity, the place of a woman in society, and the struggle of self-identification. We follow the character presented by Mimi Dey, the model, of a young female who, while being alone in a room, a safe place to allow for the real self to emerge, explores her femininity. The change of clothes and the playful manner of trying versatile looks lead to the deeper layers of self-identification and separation of oneself from group identity.
The freedom to discover the components of identity is made possible due to the safe location, the four walls of the room. Peeling off layers of clothes comes in parallel to removing the mask one wears when being outside of the safe zone of the apartment. The image with the name Mimi written all over the model's body is an apotheosis, the realization of what lies beyond and the meaning behind one’s identity.
The second theme discussed through the editorial is the struggle with the remains of the patriarchal system dictating norms society is built on. Through self-identifying questions, the attempt to provide physical answers in the way one dresses, in one’s postures, in large, the way a person is perceived by the other once outside of the room, the main character fights back to free herself of the definitions set by society. As the team puts it, “the shoes stuck in the chairs represent patriarchy, the fly on the toast, and the heavy and painful rock on a comfortable mattress, express, in a metaphorical way, our critiquing society.”
Creative Directors AruiLin & Francesca Russo Photography by AruiLin Stylist Francesca Russo Model Mimi Dey at ANTI-AGENCY Mua Mari Kuno Hair Saya Hashimoto Assistant Stylist Jahnavi Sharma & Arielle Uno-Ekwang Photo Assistants Binger Li Yanle Shen Yihang
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‘It was inspired by my childhood memories from a small town in China. Growing up, I would often spend a lot of time in my bedroom, a space where I felt safe from society’s judgment.’
In the room is an editorial, which began with self-exploration and the female gaze. It was inspired by my childhood memories from a small town in China. Growing up, I would often spend a lot of time in my bedroom, a space where I felt safe from society’s judgment. However, sometimes, to fight boredom, I had unique and bizarre ideas based on the daily things that were happening in my room. It led me to new angles of observing the world.
There is also a special connection between someone’s room and their femininity. In Virginia Woolf’s A Room of Your Own, there's an urge for female creators to build a space that truly belongs to them. One’s room becomes a safe place from everyone’s critical eyes. Therefore, it has a special significance. It's where people get a sort of self-liberation. Only in their own room body and mind can be released, and one can feel free. They can feel the existence of the self, identify themselves, perhaps even self-examine.
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‘What is femininity anyway? A set of attitudes usually associated with a girl? Does that mean every girl feels it? Growing up, my number one goal was to fit in with the rest of the girls, with what they like and what they wear.’
Dress Her.o
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The struggle with self-identity and femininity and the connection with clothes have a very strong bond. Today, it is an understatement to say that looks and one’s aesthetics are overlooked. Clothing is a tool that probably most of us use to express ourselves or maybe, hide behind. In this case, clothes are a tool of expression that allows presenting one's freedom.
What is femininity anyway? A set of attitudes usually associated with a girl? Does that mean every girl feels it? Growing up, my number one goal was to fit in with the rest of the girls, with what they like and what they wear.
In this project, I followed the contrary of that. Each look was grouped to show diversity or even blend femininity and masculinity. Or it's better to say, without following a precise rule, the idea was to express one's liberation and what felt right. It was also crucial to connect with the skin. For example, one important look was where Mimi wears a bra and underwear. We wanted to link Mimi’s body language to her skin, her vulnerability as a young person, and connect back to her self-exploration. Mari Kuno, our talented Makeup Artist, wrote Mimi’s name all over her body as an affirmation of her persona and everything that she represents.
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This project, metaphorically, represents women’s feelings and their sexual enlightenment and consciousness. The girl shows up in different corners of the room, being away from the critical eye, and we see ambiguous psychological changes from a teenager to a woman, a kind of female self-exploration. It’s also a celebration of the memory of our girlhood.
This project was shot mainly in natural light, and it gets dim in the darkroom process, creating an atmosphere that is natural and dreamy. I also chose some common locations and furniture in the room, such as the stairs, the corridor, sofa, and tables. A girl in an ordinary room is dressed unexpectedly against the stereotypes.
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The still-life photos represent society and its judgment. For example, the shoes stuck in the chairs represent patriarchy, the fly on the toast, and the heavy and painful rock on a comfortable mattress, express, in a metaphorical way, our critiquing society.
