Sultry & Sustainable | Slow Fashion Photography in York

Every now and then, a shoot comes along that feels like magic. Not because of fancy lights or faraway locations, but because everything connects. People, place, purpose. That’s exactly what happened with Sultry and Sustainable – an editorial celebrating slow fashion and sensual storytelling.

I’m so proud that this story was featured in Sublime (yes — the UK’s leading sustainable lifestyle magazine) and MOB Magazine.

Reimagined and rebellious

The concept was simple. Sexy and edgy, but make it conscious. Slow, sultry, and full of texture. Our muse, Holly Waterworth, is a model, writer and all-round creative force. She brought her own presence to the edit. Confident, curious and completely captivating with her flaming orange hair.

Local talent, local backdrop

As a photographer, I’ve always believed that creativity doesn’t need to come with a carbon footprint. Everything about this shoot was kept close to home here in Yorkshire.

We shot at Vandals At Work, a York-based non-profit that brings street art into community spaces. The setting was raw and full of character, with no need for extra props or set dressing. The graffiti, textures and light spoke for themselves. It was the perfect backdrop – gritty, honest, a bit rebellious.

Our stylist, Tee Hurwitz Gray of True-Street Curators, styled the looks entirely from archive designer pieces and up-cycled fashion. Every garment had a story. From vintage Chloé and Kenzo to Maison Margiela x Dries Van Noten, Issey Miyake x Missoni Sport (once owned by Paloma Faith), Roberto Cavalli ‘Class’, and Vivienne Westwood’s Pirates collection.

We even made a DIY bubble wrap skirt on set to show how you can reimagine everyday materials into something beautiful.

Shooting sustainably

Sustainable fashion photography isn’t just about what’s in front of the lens. It’s about how we work behind it. For this shoot, we stripped everything back. No big studio lights. No power-hungry equipment. Just natural light and on-camera flash to keep things portable and energy efficient.

We kept the team small and local, choosing to collaborate with Yorkshire talent to reduce unnecessary travel. That choice wasn’t just practical – it built a sense of community and trust on set. Everyone involved shared the same mindset: creativity can be sustainable when you care about how you do it.

Slow is sexy

There’s something quietly powerful about slowing down the creative process. When you choose to work with existing garments, you start to notice the craftsmanship and stories stitched into every piece. It’s these details that bring authenticity to fashion imagery. It’s about more than aesthetics. It’s about value, connection and meaning.

Credits

Model: Holly Waterworth
Photographer: Hannah Lunn
Stylist: Tee Hurwitz Gray, True-Street Curators
Location: Vandals At Work, York

A note on creativity and conscience

This shoot reminded me why I love what I do. Fashion photography can be beautiful and responsible at the same time. It doesn’t need excess to be extraordinary. With a little imagination and collaboration, sustainability becomes part of the storytelling.

Yorkshire has an incredible creative scene filled with independent thinkers, collectors and artists who care deeply about how we make and consume fashion. Working alongside them is a privilege, and I’m proud that we created something that speaks to both beauty and conscience.