Zori Ivanova – 21 Days of Real Women

Vivamost: Zori, in November last year you exhibited 21 photos of women in Lausanne, can you tell our readers how you got the idea for this project?

Zori: The idea for this photography Campaign was born earlier in 2019, when I was feeling demotivated in my work as a photographer. I was having a down moment, almost like if I had lost the love for this art. Then, I remembered what my mentor Sue Bryce says: “When you find yourself in a place of scarcity and desperation,
instead of feeling sorry for yourself, just go and create something.”

And this triggered me to give life to this project I had in mind for quite some time. I always wanted to create something more than just a beautiful photograph of a woman. My dream was to create with purpose, to change lifes, to start a conversation. This was the beginning of a life changing journey for me and for the women, who took part in it.

Vivamost: How did you come up with this title?

Zori: “21 Days of Real Women” is about showcasing and celebrating everyday women, with their flaws and imperfections. Women, who struggle accepting the reflection in the mirror, because modern society tells them constantly they are not good enough.
Through these portraits, the Campaign aims to help women globally embrace and fall in love with themselves, the way they are, finding beauty in their curves. The Campaign also aims to disrupt beauty stereotypes, who say that only young, skinny women are worth to be seen.

Vivamost: Why 21 women and not 50 or 100?

Zori: Great question ! Well, it’s scientifically proven that it takes 21 days for the mind to adopt a new habit. My intention was to share one photo every day for 21 days and this way, lead the viewer’s mind to accept an alternative beauty. That real beauty that we all have, shining from within. Not the perfectly photoshopped one that Medias sell to us all the time.

Don’t get me wrong here! I love Magazines and this is actually my signature style – Magazine-style photoshoots for everyday women. I want to show to the world that is watching, that all women can look like those ones from the covers. It only takes beautiful hair and makeup, a gorgeous dress and love for yourself, that brings out the confidence, which is the magic trick to be photogenic :). It’s all about that confidence!

And, I do retouch my portraits. But there is a balance in everything. I am not trying to erase you and make you look 20 years younger, without wrinkles and super skinny. What’s the point of it?! We need to understand that wrinkles came with living and experience and not everyone is granted that chance in life to grow old.

Vivamost: Are you planning to continue and portray more women?

Zori: Yes, without any doubt! As I said at the very beginning, I have lost my purpose and throughout the Campaign, while photographing the women and hearing their stories, I found myself. I found that passion I was always on the hunt for. It is a powerful thing when you understand that you are being part of something bigger than yourself. Now, I want to do it every year and make the project grow outside Switzerland. I wish to find a sponsor that will help me bring it to many countries and gift this life changing experience to many women around the world. It would be a dream come true.

Vivamost: How did you select your women? Was it a difficult process? Did you have interviews before the shooting?

Zori: Yes, it was a long process. I posted a video about the Campaign in an amazing facebook group “Women Rock Switzerland” and in the video I was saying “if you don’t like the reflection in the mirror, then you are the perfect woman for me. Let me show you how beautiful you are!”. And I had low expectations that anyone would be interested. Little I knew at that time, so many women sent me messages saying that they desperately need that! I was overjoyed and so excited. But then I had the difficult task to select the final 21 women. So, I asked them to send me their life stories and why they need to be part of the Campaign. Those stories were so special and real. Filled with pain and at the same time love. It reminded me that we are all on a journey on this Planet and I wanted to inspire those who read the stories, to pass a message of hope and “There is always a way out.”
And together we succeeded, big time!

Vivamost: Can you tell us more about the dresses the ladies could use for the shootings? These dresses are amazing.

Zori: Of course! I collaborated with a local fashion boutique in Lausanne and the owners were so kind to lend me the dresses for the sessions. So, every woman had at least 3 gorgeous gowns to choose from on the day of the photoshoot. They all looked breathtakingly beautiful!

Vivamost: Did you advise the ladies on which dress to take?

Zori: I gave my input, but each lady was free to choose the dress she felt most gorgeous in. Same applied for the hair and makeup. It was a collaboration and it was very important for me that they remain true to themselves. Like in Christine’s case, she is a Rock & Roll chic, so we went for a Glam Rock look with a leather perfecto and a tutu maxi skirt and Dr. Martens boots ;).

Vivamost: Did you achieve your goal with this project and which one?

Zori: The project went beyond my wildest dreams. Honestly! I hear people saying “You changed those women’s lives!” but what they might not know is that they changed mine even more. I had two goals with this Campaign: firstly, to help women see the beauty their loved ones and I see in them, to help them embrace who they are, beyond the physical and the imperfections, to empower them; and secondly, to disrupt the beauty stereotype, portraying only young and skinny women as worthy of attention and appreciation. I wanted to start a different conversation.

There is a quote from one of the greatest photographers of our times, Peter Lindbergh, that perfectly describes my intention. He said: “We, as photographers, have the responsibility to free women
from the terror of youth and perfection.”

Vivamost: What did this experience bring you? Do you keep contact with these wonderful ladies?

Zori: This experience brought me everything. Purpose, passion, gratitude, love, respect, hope, positivity. Throughout the process, I cried and I laughed with these women, listening to their stories and discovering their personalities. I fell in love with their beautiful souls. I also promised myself to complain less about life and be kind to myself. We are all our worst judge. How often do we look in the mirror and say “I love you!”?!…
Seeing the tears of joy in the eyes of those women, looking at their images and asking: “Is that really me?!”, I have never felt such pride and gratitude in my life! It filled me up with so much joy… It is difficult to describe in words. Today, I count 21 new girlfriends in my life. What we created together connected us deeply and they will always be my first 21 real women from the project that changed my life and career as a photographer.
Thank you, ladies! I love you greatly!

Vivamost: Do you have further projects? Will this exhibition come to Zurich?

Zori: I am still in the process of finding the location in Zurich, but it will definitely happen. The second exhibition will be in Geneva in September 2020 and I am hopeful that by December 2020, we can exhibit in Zurich.
Regarding other projects, yes, there is always something cooking in my mind :). It’s in my plans to start another Campaign called “Motherhood” and celebrate the most special bond between mothers and their children. And I would love to create a Campaign for cancer survivors to give support and hope through their stories, but also make them live a day of pampering and portraits that will be there to remind them of their journey, their strength and beauty.

The future excites me. It is my hope that my portraits excite you too. Let’s share the journey together!

The exhibition:
Photographer Zornitsa Ivanova, Zori Art photography, exibits 21 50x70cm portraits, one for each woman participating in the project, with a narrative of her personal story and battles, alongside her portrait. The topics discussed, such as chronic diseases, obesity, childhood and difficult divorce, which have driven these women to devalue, affect us all and the message to be passed is: “We all have difficulties in the life, but there is always a way out, and self-love is that way. ”
How to get in touch with Zori? (+41)77 427 64 46 / info@zoriart.com

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• 21 Days of Real Women
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• fashion
• glamour portraits
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• women
• women beauty