Art After A Fashion

Thu., Feb. 15, 6-9 p.m., Conspiracy Showroom, 910 N. Second St.

by Kelly White

photography

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R.A. Friedman doesn't consider himself a fashion photographer, so how did he end up shooting live models wearing designs from Rose Greene of design co-op Conspiracy Showroom? "Craigslist," he admits, half-laughing. Isn't that the answer to everything these days? After responding to the ad looking for photographers to showcase at Conspiracy, Friedman worked for six weeks straight snapping local models. It's avant-garde-meets-whimsical, retro-inspired fashions with a modern edge.

"I work primarily using Polaroid negatives by using the part that shouldn't be used. I had a teacher once who used to say if a painting isn't quite working, you have to mess it up a little bit," says Friedman. "Things happen during the technical process. Using this technique gives the work a mystical sensitivity."

He's also not afraid to show some Philly spunk. "There's a hockey mask shot of one of the girls that was so bizarre. I took the photograph and thought it was too good a moment to waste," Friedman adds. Try finding something like that in the next issue of Vogue.

Thu., Feb. 15, 6-9 p.m., Conspiracy Showroom, 910 N. Second St., 215-925-2153, www.conspiracyshowroom.com.