In this chapter of our three-part story celebrating community, Ismail Zaidy leans into family love

 

Photography Ismail Zaidy

Styling Yazud Bezaz

Created in collaboration with Thom Browne. All clothing and accessories available from FARFETCH. Women and Men

 
 
 
 

All at once dreamy, minimalist and abstract, Ismail Zaidy’s images transport you onto a higher spiritual plane. The colours in his pieces pop and yet there is a softness to his photography that can be attributed to his working with a close circle of creatives, including the Noorseen Collective. “I think those feelings that you can catch are the result of the atmosphere of its creation, as I always work surrounded by my friends and family. Photography is therapy for me and I reflect that in my artwork,” Zaidy explains.

Born and raised in Marrakech, this softly spoken artist initially picked up a camera in 2017 as a way to give expression to his feelings. “At first I was capturing my surrounding environments in Morocco. Slowly I got comfortable as an artist, which I think led me to the poetic style of the pictures I capture today,” he says. “I mainly use photography to convey my inner point of view on topics that I can't communicate through words, such as family estrangement. I’m a quiet person but I found that through imagery I can express myself.”

 
 
 
 
 

He’s now developed a cult following with work that draws on the everyday to create something lyrical yet still rooted. “When I was a kid, I used to live in a modest area in Marrakech where I observed the way that women would wear their fabrics and djelaba out on the streets. These women are still a huge inspiration for me today, so when I initiate a project, I always try to show this side of my culture,” he explains.

For Thom Browne and Nataal, the 24-year-old travelled into the Atlas Mountains at sunset with his frequent collaborators, younger brother Othmane and sister Fatima Zahra, to create a celestial sequence that’s alive with gentle movement. “For me, photography has always been a family affair, which is how I started my ongoing body of work 3aila (‘family’ in English) with my siblings,” he says. “They both play a huge part in developing the ideas behind the pictures and we also support each other in conceptualising new stories.”

 

“For me, photography has always been a family affair - my siblings play a huge part in developing the ideas behind the pictures”


 
 
 
 
 
 

An aesthetic bug that the trio picked up from their mum, who was also a photographer, the close exchange between the three of them ensures a finished product that can only be achieved through true connection and unwavering trust. This family partnership, at first the result of necessity, has blossomed into an ongoing collaboration. “At first, I would always have my brother and sister readily available to navigated around the problem of finding models,” he reflects. “But we’ve continued to work together because it’s a special thing where we're able to share this comfort and beautiful energy between us.”

 
 
 
 

SEE DJENEBA ADUAYOM’S THOM BROWNE STORY HERE


SEE ARIELLE BOBB-WILLIS’S THOM BROWNE STORY HERE

 

Photography and creative direction Ismail Zaidy
Cast Othmane Zaidy, Fatima Zahra Zaidy
Styling and production Yazud Bezaz
Location manager Ali Bouatba
Creative direction Marie Gomis-Trezise
Art direction Precious Opara
Editorial direction Helen Jennings
Words Miriam Bouteba

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Published on 08/11/2021