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Woman in a Calvin Kline sports bra and sequined leggings seated on the floor with one knee pointed upward.
December 14, 2023 Aisha Gunnell

bipoc creatives: munglassy

 

Woman looking deep into the camera, hair covers most of her face

tell us about yourself and the type of work you do. i am munglassy, originally from atlanta, ga now based out of harlem nyc. my vision is to innovate the arts by sharing my perspective on what the future of high fashion photography looks like. i value inclusion; i cast a wider net of talent and picture beauty in all forms. i don't believe in standard size, quota fillers, and blindly following trends. i prioritize authenticity within my artistry and i seek that out with the individuals that i choose to work with.

Black & white photo of a woman squatting, turned to the side. She is wearing a Calvin Kline sports bra, sequined leggings, and heels
Black & white image of a woman wearing a shiny leather glove. She has her forefinger pointed up to her lips.
Photo of a woman standing in the frame. She is wearing a long black coat and leather gloves. She is holding her chin.

what inspires you? strangely, i'm often inspired by pain. hard lessons, and sad endings fuel a lot of my momentum to continue creating. the idea that i can take something and speak for it in my own way & and know what i create actually holds significant value. this means everything to me and deeply inspires me.


tell us about your journey as a creative.. my journey as a creative hasn't been easy. lots of falling and getting back up. my love for the craft and obsession with my vision are what allow me to prevail and continue to elevate. i moved to nyc a year ago and have already built strong relationships and learned so much.

Woman looking to the side. Her hair is blowing into her face. She is wearing a strapless top.
Woman wearing a long red coat, both hands are in her pockets.
Woman looking directly into the camera. One wrist is wresting on her hip, which is pointed to the side.

what or who is currently influencing your work? i'm inspired/influenced by rafael pavarotti and chrisean rose. i’ve been able to have a little insight into both of their stores and how they've built their art from the ground up to something so recognizable, profound, and new. 


how did you first get interested in photography? i started out with an interest in modeling which led me to pick up the camera and shoot. though, one thing that keeps me interested in the field is my awareness of the lack of diversity in fashion. i want to be a part of the movement that solidifies inclusivity for the future.

 

Male figure wearing a hat, his body is tilted away from the camera but he is looking towards the viewer
Man slightly bent down and turned away from the camera. He is looking directly towards the viewer with his thumbs looped into his waistband.
Very dark image of a woman wearing black. Her face is the brightest part of the image.

what is a style/trend that is exciting for you right now? i love the sorta reverse vignette images popping up in a lot of modern high fashion editorials. the faded yet bold colors, paired with a contour wardrobe and a diverse cast just does it for me. 

what’s next in terms of your career goals? i'll be shooting more for magazines and implementing more quality control in my paid model testing work. my goal right now is to be on models.com and to shoot memorable images for clothing brands that inspire me. 

Man wearing a fabric cap which is not fully pulled down onto his head. He is looking directly at the viewer.
Man with a messy mop haircut wearing sunglasses and a sleeveless mesh top. He is flexing his right arm.

 

photography and styling exclusively from model portfolio testing work 

 

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