The streets of Melbourne have always felt to me like a living, breathing studio. The textures, the colors, and the unpredictable interplay of light and shadow make for the perfect backdrop to a fashion editorial. This time, I returned to the alleyways around Guildford Lane, a familiar setting from The Melbourne Portraits Project, to capture a new story with Hridita.
Hridita is no stranger to making a dress her own. You may remember how she infused her personal style into a Bach Mai dress. This time, she brings her own essence to a Scott Braxton design, much like Pinky Mutiara at Casa Nomada Bali. Watching models transform these garments into something deeply personal is what makes my photoshoot collaborations so thrilling. It is a reminder that style is not just about what you wear. It is about how you wear it.
The Power of Expressive Posing
Melbourne’s alleyways are full of contrasts. Industrial grit meets creative expression, with layers of history painted onto brick walls. This is why I love shooting here. The environment becomes part of the story. In one frame, Hridita stands poised between graffiti-covered walls, her soft, draped dress playing against the rawness of the textures. In another, she moves with the wind, the delicate pleats of the dress catching light as she walks down the street. There is a quiet power in the way she commands the space, embracing both its edge and its elegance.
What I appreciate most about Hridita’s approach to modeling is her ability to bring emotion into every shot. Her poses never feel forced. Instead, they flow naturally, as if she is engaging in a conversation with the camera, the dress, and the city itself. When you look at these images, you see more than a model in a dress. You see a story unfolding.
Fashion as a Form of Expression
Scott Braxton’s dress is a statement of craftsmanship in its own right. The fabric shimmers subtly under Melbourne’s muted daylight, revealing layers of color that shift depending on how she moves. The cowl neckline and the delicate draping add to the sense of fluidity. It is a dress that invites interpretation, and Hridita does exactly that.
Fashion is about more than fabric and construction. It is about identity. The way someone moves in a piece, the way they inhabit it, turns clothing into something alive. That is what makes fashion and editorial photography so compelling. It captures the essence of the person wearing it.
The Power of Collaboration
This shoot is part of a larger theme I have been exploring across my work. It is about collaboration. About allowing models to bring their own voice to the designs they wear. Some of my favorite fashion images happen when the subject takes ownership of the styling and makes it their own. It is about telling a story that feels personal and real.
Fashion and editorial photography should be a dialogue. Between the model and the designer. Between the photographer and the space. Between the subject and the viewer.
A Call to Create
Are you a brand, model, or designer ready to create something striking, personal, and unforgettable? Let’s collaborate and bring your vision to life, whether it is on the runway, in the streets, or anywhere inspiration strikes. Reach out, and let’s make magic happen!
Photoshoot Credits
- Model: Hridita
- Fashion Designer: Scott Braxton
- Photographer: Paul Tocatlian
© Paul Tocatlian. All Rights Reserved.
Kisau Photography 