“I think the story of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ in a way is a reminder that life is frightening, it can shift on you at any moment.”
– Michael Sheen
There’s a lot of tragedy in fairytales. Take Wonderland for instance, the fantastic photo series by British photographer Kirsty Mitchell. Mitchell started working on the series in 2009, after the tragic death of her mother, who died on terminal cancer. It took her six years to complete the project, six years in which she evolved the project into something both haunting and stunningly beautiful.
Kirsty has a great eye for composition: alternating between piercing portraits and enchanting scenery where her models blend in with the amazing surroundings. Speaking of the surroundings: the dedication Kirsty puts into creating the perfect environment to tell her story is incredible. From the mesmerizing costumes and headdresses to the immaculate makeup and decor: it’s all done impeccably. It’s no surprise to learn Kirsty has a background in fashion and styling: she has a degree in Fashion Design and Textiles and interned at Alexander McQueen and Hussein Chalayan’s studios.
In 2015 Kirsty wrapped up the Wonderland project with a very successful campaign on Kickstarter. The campaign closed at a record breaking £334.000, and the book has been in popular demand ever since. Now a mother herself, Kirsty is working on exciting new projects she documents on her Instagram page.
You can read more about the Wonderland book and order a copy on Kirsty’s website. For more background information on Kirsty check out our earlier feature on her work.
