Don’t Look At Me
Dear Reader,
I want to share something personal with you—a glimpse into the story behind my project. This work was born from a deeply rooted sense of shame and discomfort within myself. Like many, I've found that overthinking often gets the best of us. For me, it's been a constant battle to overcome this tendency, to let go of the noise in my mind, and to embrace the present moment.
We all have moments when we look back at the past, feeling burdened by shame for our mistakes and wrongdoings. These feelings can create an urge to hide and guard our secrets so tightly that we withdraw entirely from the world. For me, that isolation became a way to shield myself.
Being creative is incredibly fulfilling, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. I often feel under a microscope—watched, evaluated, and judged. There's an unrelenting pressure to do more, consistently perform, and walk a fine line as if on eggshells, ensuring that nothing I say or do could be deemed wrong. The fear of judgment looms large, and it's exhausting.
However, this project has been a way for me to channel and transform those feelings. It's my attempt to explore and express the vulnerability we all carry within us—the fragile, labyrinthine workings of the mind, with its sheer layers and fleeting, flowing thoughts. Through this creative process, I've brought those emotions into the light, giving them shape and form.
That said, this is how I used to feel. Lately, I've found that the weight of my fear has lifted almost entirely. I've realized that sometimes, the only way to truly move forward is to confront those fears head-on. We have to learn to follow our passions unapologetically, refusing to let the judgment or gaze of others define or limit us.
I hope this project speaks to that truth and resonates with you in your own way.
Photographer & Creative Director Simran Kaur
Casting Director Autumn Jensen
Movement Director Chloe Anne Williams
Styling Sophie Bell
MUA Emilie Louizides
Hair Stylist Chinami Hamaguchi
Nail Artist Nosipho Ledwaba-Chapman
Set Designer Hannah Licia Heath
Model Damaris | Duo Model Management
Words Johanna Ljunggren
Graphic Design Dorota Kwiatkowska
Editor in Chief Sandy Kirik
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