Le Rouge et Le Noir
This editorial follows Meera Jiao through two vastly different Parisian settings, each revealing a distinct side of her. From the quiet gravity of Le Cimetière du Père-Lachaise to the open playfulness of Le Jardin des Plantes, the contrast between the black and red dresses is striking. But beneath it all lies a common thread. Meera brings an ability to fully inhabit a space and a garment, turning both into stages for expression.
I have collaborated with Meera on many photoshoots over the years. What I admire most is how fully she embraces each moment. Every shoot brings something unexpected. Somethng new. When we begin a new project, she never starts by asking what to wear or where to shoot. Instead, we talk about who she wants to become and what story she wants to tell. This shoot was no exception.
Quiet Reverence in Black at Le Cimetière du Père-Lachaise
Our photoshoot began at Le Cimetière du Père-Lachaise among the silent rows of mausoleums, where light filtered through the trees in patches. This was not about theatrics. It was about tone.
Meera wore a black Bach Mai dress I have previously photographed in Bali, Melbourne, and Seoul. It is a versatile piece. Semi-sheer with velvet textures and an angular hem, it shifts depending on the mood and setting. Here, it found something unexpected. A kind of reverent boldness. Not in defiance of the surroundings, but in quiet conversation with them.
There is something haunting about walking those cobblestones. And yet, Meera brought a sense of stillness that never felt performative. She let the silence in. She embraced the pause. The weight of history, the heaviness of stone, all softened slightly by her presence.
Styling was simple. Natural makeup. Hair left mostly untouched. A singular locket from Butones Jewelry glinting softly at her collarbone. It did not need to shout. It simply belonged.
One image in particular stays with me. Her arms crossed, framed between shadow and sun, gaze steady. The kind of image that lingers long after the shutter clicks.
Playful Elegance in Red at Le Jardin des Plantes
Later that afternoon, the mood shifted.
We stepped into color. Into light. Into motion.
At Le Jardin des Plantes, Meera changed into a deep red gown from the Kisau Clothing Collection. This dress is a sculptural dream. Cinched at the waist with a bold slit, glossy fabric catching the summer sun at every turn. It was the opposite of the Bach Mai piece, but somehow just as fitting.
Here, Meera let loose. A flip of hair. A sudden burst of laughter. A skip across gravel in heels. We leaned into spontaneity, trading solemn shadows for sunlight and wind.
A new Butones Jewelry necklace completed the look, now dancing with the folds of the red dress. In this context, it felt like a quiet punctuation mark. A final, shimmering detail that echoed the lightness of the moment.
The setting itself, with the shimmering greenhouse in the background and the soft rustle of trees nearby, was the perfect playground for this final chapter. We played with motion, using movement as a compositional tool. The dress caught air. The moment caught fire.
What ties these two locations together is not just Meera, or the jewelry, or the contrast of black and red. It is something quieter. It is presence. It is respect for the story the space wants to tell. And it is trust. In the clothes. In the light. In the moment.
Meera brought that.
And I am grateful she did.
Photoshoot Credits
- Model: Meera Jiao
- Black Dress: Bach Mai
- Red Dress: Kisau Clothing Collection
- Jewelry Designer: Butones Jewelry
- Photographer: Paul Tocatlian
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Kisau Photography 