Reimagining the Classics: A Hatbox Portrait 15 Years in the Making
15 years ago, I had this wild idea. I wanted to recreate a classic hatbox shot inspired by Cecil Beaton, an artist who knew how to make magic with the simplest props. My friend Rachel agreed to be the face in the box.
I went out and bought a vintage hatbox from Ross, and getting it ready was a struggle. Cutting out the bottom with an X-Acto knife was no small task. I remember wedging the whole setup on a rocking chair and footrest, just to keep that box in place. A white curtain draped in the background completed the look.
Rachel had to fold herself just right to fit inside, leaning at an angle that couldn’t have been comfortable. But when she looked up, her eyes caught the light with a softness that was timeless. She pulled it off beautifully, and for a moment, I felt like we’d stepped right back into Beaton’s world.