10 Portraits of New York City's Most Fabulous LGBT Kids
Fashion Stylist: Matt Holmes
Hair: Sean Michael Bennett using R + Co
Makeup: Yuui Vision using Laura Mercier
Set Design: Julia Wagner
Photographed by Ethan James Green1/12I’m pretty sure I’ve shot our generation’s Alexander McQueen. I’ve probably shot the next editor of Vogue, too,” says 26-year-old Ethan James Green. For the past few years, the former Teen Vogue model has been working on the other side of the lens, focusing on the LGBT kids and others who are shaping downtown culture. “I really think something is happening right now in the fashion and party scene,” he points out. “It needs to be documented."
Ethan discovered his love of photography growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, snapping friends and family with a point-and-shoot digital camera. At the ripe age of 18, the ambitious young man moved to New York to pursue modeling, an undertaking he hoped to use as a springboard for his own photography career. “I convinced my parents that shooting with someone like Steven Meisel would be a better education than sitting down with any professor,” he explains.
During his first year in New York, Ethan posed for photographer David Armstrong, who would later become his mentor before passing away in 2014. While digging through David’s archive, Ethan was inspired by the intimate portraits his friend and advisor had taken during the ’70s and ’80s. “There wasn’t a single shot that wasn’t memorable,” he recalls of the images. “I wanted to find the equivalent of those kids now.”
Fast-forward 12 years from the start of his amateur digital days, and Ethan has signed with M.A.P., a creative agency, and found his niche in the art world, with his own cast of extraordinary characters.
“When I see someone, I just know it,” he reveals of his instinctual scouting process. “They’re different and special. They’re important — I can just sense it.” Since leaving home, the shutterbug has held his focus on an urban milieu. “If I were shooting anywhere else, I’d be missing out on what’s happening here,” he notes. “New York is back. The city welcomes new ideas coming from young people.”
The rising photographer’s work, mostly in black and white, explores his generation’s ever-expanding pool of boundary pushers. “Someone who is raw and honest is cool,” he says of the kind of subject he is drawn to. “Normal isn’t interesting — being progressive is.” Ethan’s collective is as authentic as it gets. Among his band of muses is transgender model, actor, and fashion It girl Hari Nef, whom he first met and shot in 2014. Since collaborating with Hari, Ethan has gotten to know the eclectic movers and shakers who appear in his images through mutual friends and via social media. “There are a lot of really intelligent people who are finally getting the chance to speak up about discrimination and inequality,” he declares. “As long as this continues to happen, we’ll get closer to where society needs to be.”
Ethan’s project — which debuted in his first show at London’s Somerset House in May — is more than just intimate depictions of rakish and dynamic downtown trendsetters: It’s a lesson in awareness and understanding. “I hope what I’m doing helps,” he affirms.
His goal is to change the casting game within the fashion industry as a means of transforming public perceptions. “I want to influence the way people see marginalized communities. I want to show that they are no different from you or me.” Now that’s a project we can get behind.
Photographed by Ethan James Green2/12Matt Holmes
"I've never met anyone who loves clothes as much as Matt Holmes. We work on shoots together regularly and always start the day by going through the fashion. Matt takes each garment out individually and with each one comes a scream of excitement and or declaration. They make you feel as if the clothes are living and I dream of us shooting vintage couture together. Matt is a fashion editor destined for the coveted front row."
Photographed by Ethan James Green3/12Torraine Futurum
"Torraine was the first person to reach out wanting me to take their portrait. I received an email that ended with the words 'stalk me' and a link to her instagram. I clicked and immediately threw my phone! I couldn't believe someone so beautiful wanted me to take their picture. Torraine is now a catwalk favorite of the NY fashion underground and a budding musician."
Photographed by Ethan James Green4/12Alex Arauz
"Unlike most of the kids I photograph, Alex is a native New Yorker. Despite being younger than most, he uses this to his advantage and participates in fashion in a variety of ways. After finishing high school he plans to study in New York or London and hopes to pursue a career in the creative direction field."
Photographed by Ethan James Green5/12Vejas Kruszewski
"If there is one name in the underground fashion circle that you hear with a legendary echo, it is Vejas. I Facebook messaged him a couple of seasons ago asking to be in his FW presentation and to my excitement, he included me in the cast. I'm positive that in years to come I will look back at my modeling career and see it as one of my most important moments. Vejas is a prodigy with a work aesthetic only comparable to the masters — a young designer that is here to stay."
Photographed by Ethan James Green6/12Matthew Domescek
"I met Matthew at the Vejas presentation last summer while he was helping backstage. Matthew is currently a student of Middlebury College living in France and has worked for Eckhaus Latta, Baron and Baron, Susan Cianciolo, and is interning with A Magazine Curated By this summer. This past spring he also costumed a production of Macbeth at The Sorbonne. Matthew is multi-talented with a future of endless possibilities."
Photographed by Ethan James Green7/12Avie Acosta
"Avie is one of the newest arrivals to NYC. She saw what was going on in the bubble and decided to come to NY last fashion week. With no surprise, she walked multiple shows and made the official move this past April. She is now signed as a model with Wilhelmina and definitely a rising star."
Photographed by Ethan James Green8/12Sussi
"Sussi and I started following each other online this past winter. Once it warmed up I sent them a direct message to set up our first portrait session. After a day of great looks and pictures Sussi told me, 'Next time we shoot, tell me to be anything. If you want me to be a taxi cab, I'll be a taxi cab!' Sussi is a visual artist and is always wearing the most memorable outfits."
Photographed by Ethan James Green9/12Hari Nef
"Hari was the first person I shot for my series and was the one who opened the door to the world I now have the true honor of documenting. She loves to connect people and continues to use her growing platform to bring awareness and lift up voices that would normally go unheard. After already proving to have an incredible level of talent in multiple genres, she still has surprises for us this season. More iconic moments to come from her."
Photographed by Ethan James Green10/12Gogo Graham
"Gogo Graham is one of the few people I've met in the industry that truly helps people with what she does. During her first season, she made fashion history by being the first open trans designer and she still continues to be one of the most important shows to see during NYFW. Gogo uses her moment to give other trans women a chance to have a voice. Her work not only celebrates but also gathers and strengthens her community."
Photographed by Ethan James Green11/12Maya Monès
"One night out in Bushwick, I entered a party full of interesting people. I quickly reached in my pocket to unfortunately discover I only had two business cards. I then looked up and saw Maya walk in the room. I introduced myself and decided to give her both. Maya is an incredible model who truly knows how to strike a pose. Maya is also one of the exciting faces in the NY club kid revival."
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