With the recent New York Fashion Week, and now London Fashion Week in full swing, I had the idea to write about fashion photographers, since they play a huge part in the imagemaking business, and Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, the duo from London, are some of the best. Both born in 1971—Alas in Istanbul and Piggott in Bangor, Wales—the pair met in England in 1994 after careers in classical music and graphic design: "Marcus was a photographer's assistant, and I had a little design shop," says Alas. Known for their glossy, airbrushed style, Alas and Piggott's images bring an unapologetic perfection to the things they photograph.
"The difference between us and other photographers, honestly, is that we care a lot about fashion," says Alas. "We are in the makeup room, working with the hair, involved in the look much more than working on the lighting, the cables, the gels. The technical side is only 50% of what makes the image. "The secret of a strong campaign is a great image and a great character," says Alas. The pair have worked with some very big names, including Jennifer Lopez, whose Louis Vuitton ad campaign made them a force in the fashion world. I've included some samples of their work featuring the ever-fashionable Kate Moss, which showcase the broad range and adaptability in their style.
