Out of the Box: The Yale Project
Photo: Genevieve Gaignard
For our latest installment of Out of the Box, we sent a crate of the season’s fashions to New Haven and invited graduate students in Yale’s MFA program in photography to play with them for a day. What came back was an adventurous selection of images, each communicating different ideas and inspirations. Ilona Szwarc drew a connection between Valentino’s floral gowns and Polish folk culture, Casey McGonagle swathed a baby in Pucci, and Isabel Magowan put Prada’s candy-colored designs in front of the Golden Arches. Click through our slideshow to see all these images and more.
*This article appears in the May 19, 2014 issue of New York Magazine.


Genevieve Gagnard, 32:
“I am interested in pushing against the ideas of beauty. I know I don't fit the typical mold, and I'm okay with that.” Photo: ...
Genevieve Gagnard, 32:
“I am interested in pushing against the ideas of beauty. I know I don't fit the typical mold, and I'm okay with that.” Photo: Genevieve Gaignard

Bryson Rand, 31:
“I used the clothing to contrast and accentuate the physicality of the model and to heighten the tension and strangeness of the imag...
Bryson Rand, 31:
“I used the clothing to contrast and accentuate the physicality of the model and to heighten the tension and strangeness of the image.” Photo: Bryson Rand

Isabel Magowan, 26:
“I’m interested in the concept of excess. This might be spending a large sum of money on a beautiful coat or in a chain franchise...
Isabel Magowan, 26:
“I’m interested in the concept of excess. This might be spending a large sum of money on a beautiful coat or in a chain franchise in such demand that it justifies the existence of one on every other block. I like contradictions.” Photo: Isabel Magowan

Ilona Szwarc, 29.
“I’m inspired by Polish folk culture, and I’m particularly interested in religious iconography and the spectacle of nativity.” Phot...
Ilona Szwarc, 29.
“I’m inspired by Polish folk culture, and I’m particularly interested in religious iconography and the spectacle of nativity.” Photo: Ilona Szwarc

Casey McGonagle, 36:
"This is about a chic mom. Her life is calm, and her child is beautiful." Photo: Casey McGonagle

Annie Thornton, 28.

David Soffa, 26:
"I used the landscape to unify the materiality of this type of picture. The tarp, the dress, the legs all come together, no one...
David Soffa, 26:
"I used the landscape to unify the materiality of this type of picture. The tarp, the dress, the legs all come together, no one part taking precedence." Photo: David Soffa

Elle Perez, 25:
“I was thinking about movement, the geometry of these pieces, and how witchy the clothing felt, while trying to keep it simple.” ...
Elle Perez, 25:
“I was thinking about movement, the geometry of these pieces, and how witchy the clothing felt, while trying to keep it simple.” Photo: Elle Perez
Awol Erizku, 25:
"I was inspired by web culture and sporadic imagery. I wanted to incorporate some hint of the art history by which the pieces t...
Awol Erizku, 25:
"I was inspired by web culture and sporadic imagery. I wanted to incorporate some hint of the art history by which the pieces themselves were influenced."
Annie Thornton, 28. Photo: Annie Thornton
Ilona Szwarc, 29.
Isabel Magowan, 26.
Sarah Meyohas, 23:
"Our transparent reflection, in your hands." Photo: Sarah Meyohas
Hannah Hummel, 26.
Photo: Hannah Hummel
Fumi Ishino. Photo: Fumi Ishino
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