Weaving A Story

When Portfolio Center photography student Leah Perry found an exquisite old pair of Versace shoes in her friend’s storage unit, she was inspired. She remembered seeing the work of Chinese artist Wang Qing-Song, who built massive spider web installations with products in them as an anti-consumerism commentary.

Spinning his idea a bit, she wanted to create an editorial/product shot around the concept that the shoes are so desirable that the spider uses them as bait to catch girls.

First, Leah did some research to learn how an orb spider builds its web. It took her over seven hours to construct the web out of silver necklace thread. After it was completed, she had to anchor it to keep it from collapsing under its own weight.

The shoes were suspended with fishing wire.

Once the set was finished, it was time for makeup. Then the hairstylist wove model Hannah’s hair into the web to complete the “caught” effect.

Finished Shot

Assistant: Stephanie Richardson; Model: Hannah; Hair: Malaika; Makeup: Mylinh