An ode to Fandoms Seventeen CARAT

“An Ode to Fandoms” is an ongoing photo series celebrating fandoms and their unique identities.
I spent my most formative years on Tumblr and Twitter, deeply immersed in fan culture and it never really left me. I’ve always been a fangirl. And to be honest I don’t think that’s going to change anytime soon. So why not use my creative freedom to build a series that pays tribute to my youth?

The series starts with the K-Pop group Seventeen and their fandom – CARATs.
“Slipping into the diamond life” is a phrase commonly used to describe becoming a CARAT. It originates from their song “Shining Diamond” on their debut EP “17 Carat” (the very first track, no less).

So for the concept of the shoot, the direction was clear: shimmery textures and glitter, glitter, glitter.
The fandom colours (yes, that’s a thing in K-Pop!) are Rose Quartz and Serenity. I tried to incorporate as much Rose Quartz as possible, but silver and blue ended up being my main choices. CARATs are diamonds after all.
All pieces are thrifted or already part of my wardrobe — a small push against the over-consumerism often tied to K-Pop, but also a reminder that representing your faves doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. Sometimes it’s as simple as shopping your own closet.

And just to round things up: photography, styling, hair & make-up, editing by your favourite one-woman-show.