You're likely familiar with ultra-graphic swimwear line We Are Handsome, but you may not know about the brand's incredible opportunity for young photographers, A Handsome Project. Every month, they offer swimwear to the budding shutterbugs for an opportunity to shoot the collection their own way. The latest photographer to participate in the project is the talented Natasha Horinkova, and her beautiful photos have been released exclusively to FashionIndie. We caught up with her to chat about the shoot, her personal style and what she's looking forward to in 2012. Interview and images after the jump.

 

FashionIndie: What was your vision behind the shoot? Natasha Horinkova: I have a dancing background and it was always the way I would express myself. Ballet is for me a symbol of freedom and strength, but mostly fragility. I have to be honest though, I really wanted a sunny and sexy outcome that was still full of softness. The weather turned out to be overcast and windy, playing with Kobis red hair. It felt very moody and that is how the images turned out.

 

FI: How did the brand inspire you? NH: We Are Handsome has great prints and a fantastic design range with a selection of cuts that is unique to them. I wanted to display that simple beauty. We Are Handsome already has an excellent collection of photoshoots from other lines, and I wanted to add my photos to their collection.

 

FI: How did the clothing impact the creative inspiration? NH: The prints speak for themselves and naturally stand out in a photo shoot. They require very little else in a scene to help them speak. The collection I shot is the Vintage collection, a set of natural prints for a natural background.

 

 

FI: Tell me a bit about your background in photography. NH: It started very spontaneously. Although I always had a special place for photography and art, I was not one of those kids who had her first camera at 12. I bought my first camera four years ago when I decided photography could be part of my professional life.

I took a one day course to get more comfortable with my camera, and from there it just took off - somehow so easily! I think I've been very lucky to have met so many nice people over the last few years that were always keen to give hints and tips.

 

FI: How would you describe your personal style? NH: Casual Chic

FI: Whats your favourite piece in the collection? NH: This is a hard one, but I must say its the Grizzly print!

FI: Do you have any New Years Resolutions? NH: To shoot more and do more personal projects, stuff that makes me happy!

 

 

FI: What three things are you looking forward to in 2012? NH: Hopefully getting my permanent residency in Australia, first of all. Secondly, going to visit my family and friends in Slovakia where I am originally from - it has been two years now since my last trip and havent had a chance to go back. And third, Mercedes Australian Fashion Week!

FI: What was your favourite fashion moment of 2011? NH: The arrival of colour blocking! Seriously, I love wearing colours and now there are almost no restrictions. How cool is that?

Questions about A Handsome Project or FashionIndie's exclusive images and interview with Natalia Horinkova? Visit the website or ask me on Twitter @CrystlMeatballs.