Unparalleled Theorist
All Images courtesy of Omi Chowdhury ©Vogue
From BBC to VOGUE, Omi Chowdhury has a sharp eye from any angle. Meet the Harvard educated war theorist that not only shoots for the most famous fashion magazines in the world, but also has his art exhibited with the Smithsonian.
OMI - GREECE - JUNE 2020
Where were you and what were your first thoughts as the pandemic began to take hold and eventually disrupt life as we know it?
I was primarily between Asia and Europe when it took hold. I think I was in Paris as things came to a stand-still and borders started closing. By the time I looked westward, (America to be precise), the epidemic has turned into a pandemic. The first real thought concerning the pandemic was of intellectual curiosity of what sort of impact it would have on our everyday life... the curiosity turned into genuine concern as people started dying in Spain and Italy. That genuine concern hit home as colleagues and friends and their families got impacts by the virus and still are.
How has the virus affected you and your industry in general?
The commerce of fashion has pretty much stopped due to the uncertainties that impact such behavioural correction. The fast-fashion side of things are in complete limbo which affects millions of workers in developing nations. The luxury side of fashion is somewhat suspended in disbelief as the two primary cash-heavy markets (China and India) are not providing any traction anymore. So the roles of the media involved with fashion have changed as well. In many respect, the frivolity of insta-write articles have subsided and people are reading more in-depth work as opposed to just scrolling through Instagram getting a temporary fix.
“We will likely go back to a more bespoke, less fast-fashion heavy diet of visuals.”
What have been the most difficult challenges for your business / your working life, and how did you approach them?
The lack of travel. But we are trying to work around that by pushing projects a few months down the road or shooting remotely. But overall due to the nature of my work (visual and literary) I have not really been affected as much as I write and shoot as opposed to sticking to one singular profession. A bit of tweaking to adding more layers to work that is being published is the only real step i have taken to address the pandemic.
What are your top 3 tips or suggestions for your fellow professionals when it comes to maintaining motivation?
The old normal wasn't a normal but a festering absurdity of overconsumption, so my only suggestion would be to evolve through introspection. On a of more practical level, pick up skillsets while you have the time and are able to.
Have you adopted different working practices that have changed your perspective on how things can be achieved, has technology played a part in this, how?
Setting up rigs that adhere to social distancing norms is the most common one that has been adopted for remote shoots. Apart from that everyone is videoconferencing and it seems it is also better for the environment so the adoption of practices that should have been the norm has been the most common of behavioural corrections. While this idea of Facetime editorial shoot has been floated the idea is a bit played out already and frankly, you will need to go back to a more evolved way of shooting without falling victim to a fad.
What do you think the future holds for your industry?
A lot of upheavals and economic strife is on its way. By the time we get out of this, the fundamental nature of the relationship between the consumer and fashion would be changed. We will likely go back to a more bespoke, less fast-fashion heavy diet of visuals. It will also impact developing nations and how they react to that would dictate how and what you buy in the long run.
What have been your hardest personal challenges?
I have a very comfortable life. I don't need to worry about money, shelter, food among other things. So whatever challenges that have popped up from this, has been rather superficial for me personally. And in the context of death, economic collapse, and above all human misery, my personal challenges are not worth mentioning frankly.
“We will change. We will walk softly on this planet and be kinder to each other.”
How has your perspective changed on life since the pandemic began?
I think my general understanding of reality was that we have overextended our collective consumption to the point where we will destroy our own habitat. I felt this way before the pandemic and that feeling of disgust of seeing the obscene amount of consumption, wealth disparity has only gone up by ten folds. While that may seem a bit bleak, the data back up our trajectory into complete ruin if we do not address these issues. So now I think of these issues more as a matter of fact than an intellectual exercise. With the upheaval from the coronavirus and along with the daily reminder of systemic racism that is entrenched within the political structure, the perspective that drives my existence in life has not really changed, I am just more aware of the absurdity of the previous normal.
What have you missed during the lockdown and what's the one thing you can't live without?
Sports. It is a distraction I thoroughly enjoy, so not being able to see Arsenal play in the pouring London rain has been the only thing I haven't had access to. As mentioned previously, my life is pretty comfortable. And I am fully aware of that privilege.
What are your hopes for the future professionally and personally?
We will change. We will walk softly on this planet and be kinder to each other.
Go to OMI´s site to see more of his captivating work.