Magnificent New Images of Christopher Boots' Lighting

New images of Christopher Boots’ lighting collection.
Styling by Luna Aquatica. Photography by John Tsiavis.

Christopher Boots is a Melbourne-based lighting designer who crafts spectacular lighting pieces characterised by an unusual mix of materials, unexpected detailing, and general otherworldliness. You might recall my interview with Mr Boots nearly a year ago in which we were lucky enough to find out a bit more about this clever Australian designer.

Today I’m excited about an exclusive first look at Boots’ latest collaboration with costume designer & fashion stylist – Luna Aquatica, and celebrated Melbourne photographer John Tsiavis. This remarkable collection of new images highlights the designers influences and personal references, including nature, myth and legend. Absolutely magnificent stuff. Some of these remind me of Moooi’s earlier collaborations with Erwin Olaf.

New images of Christopher Boots’ lighting collection.
Styling by Luna Aquatica. Photography by John Tsiavis.

+ How did this collaboration came about?

The need for imagery and story to illustrate the human scale and give the lights context was the initial driver for this collaboration. The existing imagery was sparse, graphic and minimalist, which was the perfect way to present the work which is designed to be in line with that kind of presentation. John Tsiavis has been my photographer for a couple of years – he usually works primarily with people for portraiture – and we’ve worked together on many shoots. Luna Aquatica was our stylist, and has been involved in costume design, fashion and social activism. I’ve known Luna for many years and her colourful, larger than life approach I could not resist. I approached Luna with giving her the task of taking over the styling and bringing the lights to life with some really amazing models and stories, so it was the first time I’ve been able to let go of the work creatively and see where someone else could take it. Collaboration is the future.

New images of Christopher Boots’ lighting collection.
Styling by Luna Aquatica. Photography by John Tsiavis.

+ What was your inspiration for the images?

Our inspiration is the continuation of a story that has always been evolving- from the Renaissance, Ancient Greece, Rembrandt, to contemporaries Tim Walker and Phillip Toledano. These were all on our Pinterest board we worked on for the three months leading up to the shoot. The light works themselves reference the aesthetics of Ancient Greece and Rome to fantasy/imaginary worlds, so it was natural that these worlds became the backdrop to the lights. Prometheus III is self evident (btw that’s my bf – check that ass!) “Mystic junk” became Nostradamus, a wise sage inspired by mysticism and the natural world (that’s me doing a cameo appearance); “Bird Lady” became the supine Rosie , inferring a painterly renaissance approach; “Bucky” originally was meant to be a Napoleonic figure head, gender bent by using a strong female – a modern day Joan of Arc watching as her stealth bomber like lights elevate behind her. Prometheus I included Benjamyn Phraser – Luna’s take on classic Greek lady was to use an androgynous man that could be open to interpretation; Phoebe Jacobs was the perfect Ice Queen/Fifth Element character, with her amazing frame and presence, not to mention patience – that image took five and a half hours!

New images of Christopher Boots’ lighting collection.
Styling by Luna Aquatica. Photography by John Tsiavis.

+ How much input came from you personally, and how much was influenced by other people’s vision?

Luna had many strong ideas that we fleshed out for months, and loved accessories, details and layers. John became a machine of reductivism, bringing it all back to the lights and the models. It ended up being a perfect balance of body, space and light. We’re all stoked with the outcome and the vision that has been realised.

Incredible, no? Congratulations CB, JT & LA on such a brilliant collaboration. I urge you to check out these images in full screen via the gallery below, as our current column width just doesn’t do them justice. Do it. DO IT!