CHRIS FLOYD shoots MR BUCKLES king of chuckle, ADAM BUXTON, at his house near Norwich for the cover of the Sept/OCT 2020 issue of THE IDLER. BUXTON is something of an IDLER hero... a multi-talented podcaster, comedian, artist, parodist, actor and writer... to name a few of his idling accomplishments!
Open water swimmer and hopeful for the 2021 Olympics, ALICE DEARING, photographed by Phil Fisk at a secluded lake in Surrey during early lockdown.
Here's an extract from the accompanying article in the Observer:
It sounds scarcely believable in modern, multiracial Britain but nearly a century after the sprinter Jack London became the first black athlete to win an Olympic medal for Britain in 1928, and more than 40 years since Viv Anderson became the first black footballer to start for England, Team GB has never sent a black female swimmer to an Olympic Games. Not one.
But next summer Alice Dearing, a 23-year-old from Birmingham who is Britain’s best open-water swimmer, intends to flip 125 years of history on its head in Tokyo – the small matter of a global pandemic permitting. And, as becomes clear over a thought-provoking and nuanced conversation, that is only the start of her ambitions.
“Being a poster girl for black swimming is exciting, because genuinely I love the sport and I want to see as many people doing it as possible,” Dearing says. “But it’s also terrifying because there’s a lot of pressure. I have rationalised it – if not me, then who? And I want this to happen as soon as possible, to break that barrier.”
It is not the only one Dearing intends to shatter. Last year she became the lead ambassador for the Black Swimming Association, a charity that encourages black people to swim, and she illustrates the scale of the challenge by citing shocking figures from Sport England, which show that 95% of black adults and 80% of black children in England do not swim – while only 1% of registered competitive swimmers with Swim England identify as black or mixed race.
“Things need to speed up absolutely everywhere,” she says. “You can’t just have elite swimmers come from absolutely nowhere. So our focus is on the learn-to-swim side. Because eventually, you’ll see that change as you get more county swimmers then regional, national, international and then eventually, hopefully, more black Olympians.”
Amazing shots from Chris's archive accompanied by wonderful tales of his encounters with a veritable "Who's Who" of sitters.. from Liam and Noel Gallagher of the newly formed band Oasis in 1994 to the sun-baked rooftops of Cannes with Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchette, Richard Ashcroft in Vegas, Oliver Reed in Minsk, David Hockney, David Bowie, Debbie Harry, Paul McCartney, Naomi Watts, Robert De Niro, David Attenborough and many more..
Follow him here: https://www.instagram.com/chrisfloydarchive/
Back in 2014 Joseph Ford created a project with the assistance of amazing knitter Nina Dodd.
They decided to focus on the idea of a CORONAVIRUS lurking in wait for a human encounter, so Nina and her friend Sue creating a giant knitted microbe for the purpose.
At the time, when Joseph showed people his work, most were unfamiliar with the concept but now his images feel horribly relevant…
Late last year CHRIS photographed the world of TABASCO on Avery Island, in the Cajun swamps of Louisiana, for ESQUIRE MAGAZINE.
Still a family owned business, the McIlhenny Co has been producing the hot sauce here for 150 years, using the same 3 ingredients since the beginning; red peppers, vinegar and salt.
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CHRIS FLOYD shoots on location during lockdown for MEN’S HEALTH for a feature on 3 British manufacturers who have repurposed their production lines to create items of PPE for the NHS during the Covid 19 crisis.
COMMUNITY CLOTHING in Blackburn, Lancashire, who usually manufacture beautifully made items of affordable, sustainable and ethical men’s and women’s clothing turned their business towards making urgently needed NHS scrubs.
STAEGER CLEAR in Coventry switched from making things like shirt collar stiffeners and Easter egg cases to making a face visor of their own design.
INTERFLEX in Nottingham had also halted all their normal plastic packaging work and were producing disposable plastic aprons at a phenomenal rate.
A staggering and inspirational contribution from all 3 companies, especially as their undertakings were in the face of significant bureaucratic and logistical challenges. WE SALUTE YOU!
For inspiration, Chris took the 1950s photography of the great Maurice Broomfield, who so beautifully documented the last golden age of British manufacturing. “I’ve loved Broomfield’s work for a long time and this seemed like the obvious opportunity to pay tribute to it.”
PHIL FISK shoots British Nigerian designer YINKA ILORI at his studio in North Acton for the OBSERVER.
His work focusses on the BIG, BRIGHT and POSITIVE - you can read the full feature here.
CHRIS FLOYD shoots a series of shorts about the SLEAFORD MODS entitled SOLD OUT.
More exciting news just in that CHRIS’S recent campaign for P&O CRUISES with GARY BARLOW has been shortlisted for the PPA Awards ‘CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR’ category.
Check it out here: https://ppaawards.co.uk/2020/en/page/shortlist
We are super happy that this MEN'S HEALTH cover of 15 year old Andrew, one of 4 different boys photographed by CHRIS FLOYD at Oasis Academy in Waterloo, has been nominated for “Cover of the Year” in this year's PPA Awards. (Remaining 3 covers are shown below)
As it’s a public vote we'd love it if you could head over and vote for Chris! Here's the link: https://ppacoveroftheyear.co.uk
Thank you :))
And please read below the words of MH editor Toby Wiseman that accompanied the issue.
“You’re probably thinking that these don’t look like regular Men’s Health covers.
That’s because they’re not.
Over the past five years, we’ve increasingly devoted our attentions to the parlous state of mental health in men.
We’ve been single-handedly responsible for that wretched statistic - that for men under 45, the things most likely to kill you is you - becoming common knowledge.
But recently it has felt like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.
It’s all very well telling people that 25% of men who take their own lives have visited their GP in vain just the week beforehand. But what about the months and years leading up to that cataclysmic decision? With any other illness, the emphasis would be on prevention rather than cure.
Maybe we’re looking for answers in the wrong place at the wrong time. What has planted those seeds? When did they take root?
The kids on these covers are aged 15/16. They have doubtless been dealt a worse hand than most. As pupils of a school that, despite being rated outstanding, resides in one of the most deprived areas in the country, they face issues that the majority of teenagers will never have to confront.
But thanks to progressive attitudes, excellent support and inspirational leadership, these kids are managing their situations with poise, stoicism and profound eloquence.
These teenagers, their teachers and the help they receive have comprehensively changed my opinion about the problems we face and the best way to broach them. Please buy the issue and read their story. Then, when you’re done, consider lending your support to our #GiveThemAHeadStart campaign. It’s what Men’s Health is all about.”
Late at night, when everyone's tucked up in bed and all the world's fast asleep...
...JASON from SLEAFORD MODS tiptoes out of the house to rehearse in his car. Here’s "SECOND".
Turn up the volume! It’s POWERFUL STUFF!
In November 2019, JASON WILLIAMSON and ANDREW FEARN of SLEAFORD MODS asked CHRIS FLOYD to make a film about their biggest gig to date at Hammersmith Apollo (or Odeon, depending on when you came of gig-going age).
In these times it feels rather surreal to see crowds of people in such close proximity to each other, which makes the footage and the performance all the more compelling viewing...
Here's the footage of the band performing 'TWEET TWEET TWEET'!
HANGING IN THERE...
CHRIS FLOYD photographs OLYMPIC climbing hopeful SHAUNA COXSEY for the 500th issue of STYLIST MAGAZINE.
"A few weeks ago I travelled up to Sheffield on a freezing cold morning to spend the day inside a building made entirely of chipboard and leftover bits of furniture adornment from the Memphis Milano design movement. Inside we were thrilled by the sight of Shauna Coxsey, in the finest SS20 fashions, as she clambered and scampered over every surface of the chipboard palace in this shoot for the 500th issue of Stylist Magazine."
Styling by Helen Atkin.
"JUST CARRY ON DOING WHAT YOU'D DO IF I WASN'T THERE"...
CHRIS FLOYD's request to DAMIEN HIRST when he spent a day with him at his London studio last summer, shooting for IDLER MAGAZINE. Article here.
We are delighted to announce that JOSEPH FORD's photographic project "INVISIBLE JUMPERS" has been short-listed for the SONY WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2020.
Joseph's images together with all the winning and shortlisted entries (over 600 photographs in total) will be on show at this year’s SONY WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS EXHIBITION at SOMERSET HOUSE in London from 17 APRIL to 04 MAY 2020. For tickets and further information please click here.
"DREAMWORLD"...
PHIL FISK shoots the PET SHOP BOYS for their new album and tour.
The images were captured at the incredible JULIUS GOTTLIEB BOATHOUSE & GALLERY in Oxfordshire designed by British Brutalist architect BASIL SPENCE - on 29 July 2019, the hottest day in UK history. Thick concrete walls helped keep NEIL and CHRIS cool in their heavy rubber coat by CELINE, massive hat and the 42 degree heat...!
CHRIS FLOYD is commissioned by HARRODS to shoot OLIVIER ROUSTIENG, creative director of BALMAIN and his muse, model and activist NEELAM GILL on location in PARIS.
CHRIS also photographed STELLA TENNANT and ISABELLA CAWDOR recently for SOTHEBY'S alongside William Scott's painting "Abstract Painting (Radió Telefífs Éirann)", painted in 1967.
ISABELLA & STELLA are creative directors at HOLLAND & HOLLAND, and SCOTT'S painting is part of a curated selection exhibited in their flagship store in Bruton street. Full article here.
Legendary Set Designer SHONA HEATH photographed at her Dalston studio by CHRIS FLOYD for SOTHEBY'S. She holds MAX ERNST'S 'Terre de Feu' painted in 1956. Full article here
GARY BARLOW was recently appointed musical director for the 710 Club on the the new P&O ship, IONA, launching this year. CHRIS FLOYD was delighted to be asked to spend a day shooting with Gary to mark the announcement. Our amazing team built a wonderful set with just the right amount of late night club vibe for the shoot.
Gary will perform onboard at the 710 Club later this year with all proceeds going towards Child Bereavement UK and Teenage Cancer Trust.
