Pretty Visitors
Once upon a time, scrapbooks were where we went to collect our thoughts and favourite images. However the rise of tumblr blogs has turned our personal inspirations into an ever evolving open gallery.
Since 2009 18-year-old Madeline Sensibile’s Tumblr blog Pretty Visitors has been her place for expressing her passion for music, fashion, art and photography; be it Nineties nostalgia via a black and white CK One ad campaign or exalting her favourite indie bands, like Dead Man’s Bones and Arctic Monkeys.
Twin spoke to Sensibile about the pull of a Tumblr and the power of pictures…
Why a Tumblr blog?
Tumblr is a really good way for people to get inspired, and it’s all instant. I think in this day and age, kids who live in the suburbs want to feel a connection to something greater, whether it be city life in general, or in the case of the blogs I follow, fashion week and the fashion industry in general.
What makes photographs such a strong source of inspiration?
When a photographer makes a photograph, they have total control over what is going on, and with that control they can evoke an idea or feeling just through the image. Like Nan Goldin for example, her work is very emotional as well as real, because she takes snapshots of her friends in extremely happy or sad states, and it really evokes the human condition.
What is your favourite image of all time?
Kinga Rajzak in a Fall 2009 Comme Des Garçons coat with turquoise hair with flowers in her mouth, shot by Viviane Sassen.
There is quite a mix of fashion, music and film content on your blog. Do they all inspire you in different ways, or are they closely intertwined?
Aside from fashion, I’m extremely into music. I often post photos of my favourite bands like MGMT, Arctic Monkeys, and the Horrors because eventually I would really like to work with both fashion and music. I find music very inspiring to what I wear.
I also post a lot about film because as I’ve grown older, I realise the aesthetics of films and the visual aspect of them really. All three of these arts inspire me when it comes to personal style and give off a certain vibe so to speak.
You have previously collaborated with Cutler & Gross, what was it like working with the label?
My small collaboration with Cutler & Gross came from an email I received from their creative director Monica Chong in June 2010, and it turned into two shoots that I produced and posted on my blog. It was really cool getting to style and photograph my own shoots.
Last but not least, what are your favourite Tumblr blogs?
Here goes…
Words by Carla Seipp
