Cast No Shadow: Tamaaseeh La Marseille (The Marseille Crocodiles)
The name is mix of Arabic and French representing both the people & location.
Marseille, in France, has been a melting pot of cultures for centuries, but in recent decades it has witnessed a significant influx of North African immigrants, particularly from countries such as Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. This wave of migration has brought a rich tapestry of traditions, languages, and, notably, fashion to the French port city.
Emigration has long been a catalyst for the creation of distinct subcultures around the world where fashion is not merely a trend but a form of communication - a way for the diaspora to assert its presence in a city shaped by diverse influences.
The streets of Marseille have become a runway for a distinctive style and this shoot delves into the unique style-scene of this city, characterised by the ubiquitous presence of Lacoste tracksuits and Nike TNs within and beyond Marseille, influencing fashions across major cities in Europe like Paris, London, and Berlin.
While youth cultures have long embraced the fusion of sportswear and street style, this emblematic combination has become the hallmark of a street-style with a visual language that speaks to both tradition and modernity. The Lacoste tracksuit with its iconic crocodile logo, vibrant colours and bold designs, represents a fusion of sportswear and casual chic, while the unmistakable silhouette of the Nike TNs brings an urban edge to the ensemble. It is a style that has been noted previously by artists who live in and around the city of Marseille, mainly in social documentary form.
This shoot has a distinctly different approach. It was captured in campaign-form on location in Marseille and focuses on women & even family as part of my ongoing conceptual project
‘Cast No Shadow’ :‘No matter how far people travel down the road of life, their need to feel rooted never goes away. They are bound by their identities to people and places, to know and be who they are.’
