‘Stick by Me’ a project of bonds

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Jessica Harrison

December 30, 2019

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Songs have a way of evoking various feelings and thoughts within us which, in turn, lead to creative breakthroughs in our art. ‘Stick by Me’, a famous song in the ’70s written and sung by John Holt, is the foundation for an interesting body of work by two creatives: 27-year-old Ornella Taylor and 20-year-old Ch’velle Wilson. 

Ch’velle, who is a natural-born designer and stylist, has spent the better part of the past two years harnessing her skill set and had the grand idea of producing an editorial fashion shoot which carries the weight of the meaning attached to the word ‘commitment’. Having consistently witnessed Ornella Taylor’s work in photography on Instagram, she reached out and the two decided to work together. 

Stick By Me

After months of deliberation over perfect timing, the two finally got together at Jamnesia Surf Club with the models, outfits and the construction of a zinc fence which bears records and stickers that add the vintage aesthetic. According to Wilson, she has noticed that many people have taken the song Stick by Me and likened it to a romantic relationship between a man and a woman, but she believes that there are certain aspects of a relationship that should transcend the boundaries of romance. “When I hear the song, I think of sisterhood, friendship and familial bonds and that’s what I wanted to showcase,” Wilson explained. 

For Taylor, this body of work is symbolic of friendship, the notion of creativity and how it turns out to be perfect when minds come together for one goal instead of competing. “We were just meeting each other for the first time, we sat for three hours working out all the details and at sunset, we did it and it came out better than we were expecting,” she said. Though ‘Stick by Me’ is a body of work, it is an ongoing lesson for Taylor; learning that some things are worth sticking through and the reward of that is loving bonds with people who make life an easier everyday task

In regards to styling, the garments are what Wilson describes as up-cycled treasures from her second-hand shopping explorations. They represent individuality and how it pulls people together rather than separate. “This project also explores cloth as a clever holder of memories and how it augments experiences. Think along the lines of your favourite T-shirt and why you hold it so dear,” she explained. 

Shoot credits: 

Fashion designer & Stylist: Ch’velle (@ch.velle)

Creative Direction: Ch’velle & Ornella Taylor (@nellynelltaylor)

Photographer: Ornella Taylor (@nellynelltaylor)

Models: Leonie Campbell (@prinny_loo), Rachel Seaton (@rachel_elisabeth__), Kalila Martin (@kalilamartin_)

Jewellery: The Girl & The Magpie (@girl_magpie)

Hats: #Bingy – Goat Curry Gallery

Assistant photographer: Lamar (@raelemmanuel)

Set Construction: Icah Wilmot and Andrew

Story by Jessica Harrison

jessica.harrison@gleanerjm.com

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Author

Jessica Harrison

Just six months in, Jessica Harrison is the newest member of the Flair team but, in that short time, she has surely been cemented in everyone’s mind as a woman who is full of life, expression, and vibrance. One who is filled with unapologetic flair and PIZAZZ and discovering and marching to her own beat.

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