Ram Shergill, “Aaran Sly”, Photo Shoot Entitled ‘The Proust Ball’
British-born Indian fashion photographer Ram Shergill was severely visually impaired as a child. After having his eyesight corrected, he discovered the work of artists such as Richard Avedon, Cecil Beaton, and Irving, whom he credits as important inspirations and whose influence can be seen in his works. Shergill often uses the iconic images of previous fashion photographers and Old Master painters as inspirational starting points for his images, transforming them to create new effects for his contemporary models and settings.
During his studies, Shergill initially worked with Philip Treacy on a project and, as a result, starting to work with Isabella Blow and Alexander McQueen, becoming a force within the fashion and art world himself. Shergill has became one of the key imagists of the avant-garde ‘Cool Britannia’ fashion scene and one of Britain’s leading fashion photographers and has since progressed into fine art photography.
Ram Shergill often designs his fashion and art photography toward the Indian Subcontinent, a region. often overlooked, with which he maintains a strong relationship. His works often show models exploring the culture and landscape of India’s culturally diverse provinces. A selection of his work of singer songwriter Amy Winehouse has been acquired by the National Portrait Gallery and are now part of the permanent Collection alongside artists such as David Hockney and Cecil Beaton.
Ram Sergill’s image above shows English model Aaran Sky in a setting with an atmospheric reminiscence of the Proust Ball. This gala occasion was considered socialite Marie-Helene de Rothschild’s greatest triumph, a 1971 ball thrown in honor of the 100th anniversary of Marcel Proust’s birth. Around 350 guests attended the extremely rich dinner at Château de Ferrières, her home outside of Paris, with 350 more guests arriving in time for a second, later dinner. Among the guests were Princess Grace of Monaco, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, and French model and actress Marisa Berenson. The photographer for the event was the renowned Cecil Beaton.
Ram Sergill’s website is located at: https://www.ramshergill.com