Little, lithe and fully focused, Masha Mel is the pocket-sized, photographer and founder of Vrag Mag, who makes ethereal images, inspired by Corinne Day.
Born and raised in Moscow, the staunchly independent Masha Mel moved to London keen to pursue her raison d’être, and snap her way to the top. Transfixed by the renowned image-makers including Corinne Day, Juergen Teller and Nan Goldin, Miss Mel has spent her young adult life perfecting the self-taught techniques which now encapsulate her signature style.
Attending The London College of Fashion, where she was mentored by Mark Lebon, Masha went on to explore digital photography, gradually growing in confidence and photographic prowess. At 24-years-old, she has founded her own online magazine, feeds an active blog and contributes to ILOVEFAKE, Tourist magazine and, of course i-D. Describing her aesthetic she explains, “I work with film and a selection of cameras, generally my photography is infused with colour, light and the natural beauty of the models and the clothes. I am inspired by fairytales and fantasies and, ultimatley, I seek to tell a different story with each shoot.”
Mesmerised by feminine beauty, her muses have always been female. Choosing Australian stunner Abbey Lee as her ultimate subject, Masha believes individuality is the most attractive feature in a person and believes style is something you are born with, not something you can find on a shop shelf. Always on the look out for an interesting nook or cranny to beaver her lens into, and a new face to scout, she has a unique take on the world.
Instantly identifiable, surrounded by a halo of long flowing blonde locks, she is pale-skinned and pretty like a princess. Top of the pops of the next generation of talent, gearing up to shoot front covers for fashion glossies, Masha’s set to hit the Major League in 2012, so watch close. Check out the current issue of i-D to see Masha’s cheeky snap of Dappy ride high on a tricycle. Na-na-na-NICE!
Click the snaps to see Masha’s full magnificence and head here to see our i-Ntroducing archive.
Text: Milly McMahon
Photography: Masha Mel
