Adored by the fashion pack, last week the inimitable Ellen von Unwerth exposed the glittery, glamorous allure of life behind closed doors with her new exhibition ‘Do Not Disturb!’.
Click images to enlarge.
Stepping into Ellen’s exhibition at the Michael Hoppen Gallery, one is transported into the kitsch glitz of LA’s ‘Madonna Inn’. The opening night played host to a top-notch guestlist, with hot-topic herself Ellen von Unwerth joined by Cara Delvigne, Kelly Brooke, Pam Hogg and many more. Saturated in colour and true to her distinctively stylised approach, the walls were hung with images of wild weekends away, elfin beauties lounging on turquoise velvet armchairs alongside lace-clad, blonde bombshells and provocative, fiery-haired vixens. As i-D online got snap happy at the opening, the ever-enchanting Ellen took a step out of the limelight so we could throw a few questions her way.
The subjects for this project range from models to celebrities and plenty in between, how did you make your choices? We did a casting in Los Angeles and found wonderful, sexy breathtaking models, actors, burlesque dancers and nightlife creatures!
Are you inspired by any traditional artists, sculptors or classic representations of ‘the nude’? Botticelli is inspiring me a lot, his paintings are genius! I also love Rodin.
You were inspired by David Lynch for this shoot, what are your favourite films of his? Blue Velvet. It is scary but glamorous and plays a lot in weird motels.
Do you have a favourite room in The Madonna Inn? It’s hard to say as every room is different and unique! I was changing rooms every half an hour to discover a new favourite… There was a room with a little watermill in it, very charming.
Why does this idea of ‘behind closed doors’ interest you? I am a curious person.
Your photography is often about the erotic, are there any other forms of eroticism that interest you? I like B movies a lot and pictures of Betty Page, they are very inspiring.
What do you think feminism means today? Honestly? Nobody helps you with your suitcase anymore, haha. But of course woman are free to choose their lifestyle by themselves, their job, their freedom, their passions…
‘Do Not Disturb!’ is open at the Michael Hoppen Gallery until the 23rd of August, further information here.
Text: Felicity Kinsella
Photography: From left, images 1, 5 and 9 courtesy Ellen von Unwerth. Styling:
Brett Bailey, Todd Pearce. Make-up: Dawn Broussard. Hair: John Ruggiero, Ryan Richman.
