Le Dive

Bodies move past the bar, music blasting, glasses clinking, conversation dissolving into muffled noises, and yet in the corner of the room there is a small cluster of closeness. Creatively directed by Annika van der Wende and Helena Kawamura, the photos capture a raunchy, grunge atmosphere where messiness meets escape. From ripped tights and black eyeliner to skinny jeans and heels, the dive bar is a place where one attains a temporary alter ego, becoming someone a little messier, a little freer, someone not worried about perfection. The beauty of the space lies in its ability to make you forget about the outside world and truly connect. It’s a space to make bad decisions and regret them in the morning. The graffiti-covered walls and worn leather couches become a center of comfortability and connection where people can abandon the pressure of looking put together and be their true selves. As nighttime approaches, outfits become darker, edgier, and slightly exaggerated, reflecting the transformation that happens after the sun goes down.

Production Team:

• Creative direction: Helena Kawamura and Annika van der Wende

• Photographers: Annika Wende, Helena Kawamura, Penelope Singh

• Models: Emina Dedovic, Olivia Zhang

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Helena Kawamura (Class of 2029) is majoring in Liberal Studies, and interested in pursuing a minor in Photography. She has always been interested in the fashion world and started a sustainable online business. Aside from an interest in fashion, she loves music, traveling, and watching movies. She is excited to improve her photography skills and learn more about marketing and social media.

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Annika van der Wende (Class of 2029). She is a part of Violet Vault's photography department and has been practicing photography for the past few years. She loves highly accessorized and eccentric fashion, as well as street style and runway fashion. Other than photography, she also loves discovering new music, going to live shows, watching movies, and thrifting!