Arriving at JW Anderson's show at London Fashion Week last month, showgoers were treated to a copy of Your Picture / Our Future, a coffee table book compiling the work of shortlisted entrants to a photography competition of the same name, run by the label earlier in the year.
Anderson has long championed emerging talent and since founding his own label 10 years ago, has spotlighted the up-and-coming artists, photographers and designers to watch.
"I felt as if we were given a chance," the designer explains. "We were all young, new and coming through together, particularly when we launched our campaigns; it felt right to give somebody else that opportunity." Of the exhibition and resulting tome, he says: "Fundamentally, it is about talent giving a chance to talent – this is something I really believe in."
For those of you who missed the London exhibition back in May, this book (sure to be a collector's item) is a chance to see not only what inspires Anderson, but also to look to the future of photography via its rising stars.
We spoke to some of the artists in the book about what inspires them and their career highlight (so far).
Your Picture / Our Future is £50 and available at j-w-anderson.com and from J.W.Anderson Workshops.
Malak Kabbani
What inspires your work?
I grew up looking at works by Caravaggio and that was a big kick for me, but I don't think I can limit or pinpoint one source of inspiration. It could be the weather, a song, a person, I don't know how you could settle on one thing. When it comes to my work I think everything happening around me at that time is a key factor.
How would you describe your aesthetic in three words?
Different every day.
Career highlight so far?
The best is yet to come.
Stroma Cairns
What inspires your work?
Family has always been my biggest inspiration. I always tried to capture both the chaos and tender moments between my siblings.
How would you describe your aesthetic in 3 words?
Honest, personal, intimate.
Career highlight so far?
Finishing my short film this summer that I have been working on for a while. It features two teenage boys who are hard of hearing. This is a project that is really close to my heart and excited for it to be released to the world!
Stroma Caims
Emily Manning
What inspires your work?
Friends, family, Nan Goldin, New York City.
How would you sum up your aesthetic in three words?
Gay and proud.
What's been your career highlight so far?
Interviewing my hero, John Waters, for i-D.
Kristina Podobed
What inspires your work?
For me, this is the most difficult question to which I still have not found the answer. I just take the camera in my hands and the inspiration comes by itself or does not come.
How would you describe your aesthetic in three words?
Beautiful naked truth.
Career highlight so far?
Solo exhibition or publication of my book will be a great career highlight for me.
Noma Osula
What inspires your work?
Lagos, Nigeria, experiences, movies and the internet.
How would you sum up your aesthetic in three words?
Contrast, vibrant and relative.
What's been your career highlight so far?
Being recognised beyond my continent this year. That was awesome. Being one of the British Journal of Photography 's Ones to Watch list for 2018.
Fabio Rovai
What inspires your work?
I would like to start by saying that my works are inspired by performance and anthropology. Let me clarify this point: I love to show the crafting process behind a story and show a mood rather than portraiting the final result.
How would you describe your aesthetic in three words?
My aesthetic is dark, melancholy and nostalgic.
Christopher Barraja
What inspires your work?
I had a stroke a couple of years ago which affected my speaking and the way I see things today. So I must say I am inspired by the little things that people don’t see and that often go unnoticed. I find them beautiful.
How would you sum up your aesthetic in three words?
Nostalgia, youth, deviance.
What's been your career highlight so far?
Being able to show my work in this project has definitely been a highlight. I am very happy to be part of such a beautiful body of work from around the world.
Pan Yi
What inspires your work?
I love photography and I love the whole old school process of visually styling an image.
How would you sum up your aesthetic in three words?
Calm, natural, spontaneous.
What's been your career highlight so far?
To be honest, most of my photography jobs have been rather standard and commercial. So if I had to choose something, it would most definitely be submitting work for this competition, which has encouraged me a lot.
Alex La Cruz
What inspires your work?
I am inspired by the transient qualities of the body and light, and the progressive intimacy between photographer and subject. I photograph what surrounds me.
How would you describe your aesthetic in three words?
Soft. Vulnerable. Intimate.
Career highlight so far?
Working with Mariacarla Boscono for Equipment SS18 has been my career highlight to date. The campaign took on the form of a visual love letter to Rome. The resulting medium format photographs and film also featured her boyfriend Guido, which made it extra special and real.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Alexander Wang Is Now Designing Underwear With Uniqlo
We Went Behind The Scenes Where Fashion's Biggest Names Are Made
Ashish's Sequin-Spangled Warehouse Collab Has Party Season Sorted