In early March, a group of local designers and photographers set out to create images that inspire, intrigue, and interest a particular audience – wildlife lovers, artisans and fashionistas. Headed by the Buffalo jewelry design firm JPHii DESIGN, an amazing opportunity was created to capture photos of some human, and some not-so-human, models.
John Harris, owner and executive designer at JPHii DESIGN (Buffalo, NY), had always been inspired by nature and the way humans interact with it. “All people share common ties. We all come from nomadic tribes that didn’t live in nature, but lived with nature.”
Harris’ experience as an Anthropology student spurred his curiosities towards tribal design, and that tribal aesthetic has influenced him to go back to nature and challenge modern design. “I love working with JPHii DESIGN because of the way John pushes himself and others to the limits to see what we’re capable of” said Emilie Zagon, a local fashion designer that worked on this shoot. “I got to use my imagination to design clothes to provide a context to the jewelry. It’s usually the other way around, so it was a challenge,” said Zagon.
The shoot took place at Wild Spirit Education, a wildlife sanctuary in Delevan, NY. Paul Fehringer, owner of Wild Spirit Education, had never been involved in a fashion shoot before. “This was our first time doing a photo shoot like this so we were not sure what to expect. I was also anxious about how certain birds would react to new handlers.” But Fehringer took the challenge, and the results are amazing. Willis Dudley, Harris’ apprentice jewelry designer, was captivated by the animals. “It was so amazing to experience these birds in such an up close and personal manner” said Dudley. “I’ve always been enamored by falcons and owls.”
The images also share the work of other local artists. Makeup by Jodie McGuire and masks by Merimask (Buffalo, NY) also appear in the photos that were captured by Buffalo photographers Shawn Wright and Richard C. Hapeman. But the birds really steal the show, and gave the designers a new perspective on the world. “It was very humbling” said Dudley when talking about how the birds responded to all of those involved. “They warmed right up to us.”
Harris himself took a strong lesson away from the experience. “Looking into the eyes of such incredible creatures gives you a new appreciation for nature. It reminds me that nature isn’t the forests, lakes, rivers, or animals. Nature is life. How can we be so destructive towards life? Oil spills, fracking, and deforestation are crimes. There’s no question once you look into a hawk’s eyes.”
This photo shoot was done, in part, to promote an upcoming line of jewelry designed by JPHii DESIGN. “The new line is still very secretive, but we will be announcing more this summer.” The new line, though kept under tight wraps, is set to release this fall.
JPHii DESIGN
www.JPHii.com
www.facebook.com/JPHiiJewelry
www.etsy.com/shop/JPHiiJewelry
Merimask
www.Merimask.com
merimask.etsy.com
Wild Spirit Education
wildspirit.org/
www.facebook.com/WildSpiritEducation
Images above – clockwise from left:
Photography: Shawn Wright Photography
Jewelry: JPHii Jewelry
Fashion: JPHii DESIGN and Emilie Zagon
Makeup: Makeup by Jodie
Models: Lenny Wlodarczyk
Mask: Merimask
Photography: Richard C. Hapeman
Jewelry: JPHii Jewelry
Fashion: JPHii DESIGN and Emilie Zagon
Makeup: Makeup by Jodie
Models: Natasha Elaine Horeth, Nate Rogers
Masks: Merimask
Photography: Shawn Wright Photography
Jewelry: JPHii Jewelry
Fashion: JPHii DESIGN and Emilie Zagon
Makeup: Makeup by Jodie
Models: Nate Rogers
Photography: Richard C. Hapeman
Jewelry: JPHii Jewelry
Fashion: JPHii DESIGN and Emilie Zagon
Makeup: Makeup by Jodie
Models: Ingrid Luongo, Lenny Wlodarczyk
Masks: Merimask