FASHION CONFESSIONS: PERRY CURTIES Photographer and Editor of 125 Magazine

Perry Curties first picked up a camera at art college where he decided to “temporarily” become an artist to support his musical ambitions of becoming a pop star. After graduating in 1996 and spending 5 years assisting a number of high profile photographers in London and New York, Perry has become a highly regarded fashion photographer. His commercial portfolio includes; Chanel, Saatchi & Saatchi, John Richmond and Universal Pictures. Editorial clients read as; GQ, The New York Times, The Sunday Times Style, Italian Marie Claire and Italian Vanity Fair. Perry’s portrait work takes an equally eclectic range of personalities including Sir Mick Jagger, Simon Pegg, Andy Serkis, David Schwimmer and Sir Michael Caine.

In 2001 he launched 125 Magazine out of his desire to experiment. It’s now a highly successful ‘gallery space in-print’ offering photographers an open and unbiased platform for new and inspiring work. Available in 20 countries around the world, 125 and has grown from something of a cult title into an essential source of inspiration for the wider public, publishing the work of hundreds of established and emerging photographers.

Perry and I have worked together twice for IN LONDON magazine, you can see some of shoots below.

I’M A FASHION JUNKIE, WHAT ARE YOU ADDICTED TO? I’m addicted to ideas. I’m easily bored and find it hard to shoot the same thing twice so it’s important to me (and the people that I choose to work with) that we are always challenging, reinventing - surprising ourselves and others.

WHOSE YOUR STYLE ICON?
Wes Anderson, I like a suit, and wish I had the patience required to build a wardrobe of well fitted tailoring (and the guts to wear it everyday). Alternatively, Boris Johnson: he knows he looks like a twat but he's found his look and he's sticking to it, no matter what anyone says about him.

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE LONDON’S FASHION STYLE?
Reserved but eclectic, anything goes but its usually a slightly toned down version of the original, you can wear what you like but you must dress like you mean it. If you want to be a teddy boy or a Goth that’s fine but you've but got to believe it, fancy-dress is seen a mile off.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE DESIGNERS TO SHOOT?
My favorite designer depends entirely on the shoot concept and who is best suited to make it work, although anyone with a bit of theatre and drama behind them is always inspiring.

WHO WOULD YOU LOVE TO PHOTOGRAPH?
I'd like to recreate a Francis Bacon, with the current Pope.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU GOT DRUNK?
I drank a bottle of gin before attempting this questionnaire.