Photographer Anne Menke in Mexico

“I love fashion but I also love people and the world.” The German born, Mexican resident Anne Menke is known for combining travel, personality and style in her fashion shoots. One of her projects took place in Mexico and graced the cover of issue 71 Southern. We asked Anne a few questions to see what happens behind the camera lens.

What came first, photography or travel? Photography – I began when I was twelve and pretty much immediately knew that I wanted to be a photographer. But I also loved travelling: as a kid I’d always ask my parents ‘when can we fly to China?’, ‘when can we go to the Caribbean?’– and I wanted to shoot fashion, so I combined them all!

How much research goes into a shoot? The research can take weeks or months; there is always a spark for an idea but then you have to research all of the details. Often inspiration comes from vintage images or movies so it can take a long time to make a story out of all of that. When I planned this shoot a few months ago I wanted to show the versatile stitching they do in Mexico, and combine it with classic fashion. The stylist Evyan Metzner brought the perfect pieces – some vintage ponchos and dresses from Chiapas, Oaxaca and some Huichol Indian pieces. We also used some fabrics and ponchos to decorate the model’s head as well as scarfs as belts, etc. It was a joint effort of stylist, make-up artist and photographer.

What is the distinction between exoticism and healthy aesthetic conversation or acknowledgement of cultural osmosis?

I had a problem going to places like India and bringing Comme des Garçons and Dolce & Gabbana dresses. I think that it is crazy to promote the consumption of $10,000 dresses while the people on the street have no food. However, in the end I went to India and did it. I think it was fine because of the way I did it; I was promoting the beauty of the place which in the end was helping it. Also I think we are now more global.When I started travelling over twenty years ago it was very different as the research was not done at your fingertips, and everything we did was more ‘exotic’.Today it is a bit easier, the internet makes it less complicated and I think less exotic. When I went to Bolivia twenty years ago, I was not sure exactly what to expect, as the reference pictures I saw were from 150 years ago and stored in the New York library archives.

Clearly you’re as interested in the people in your photographs as the clothes. How did the Costa Verde International School come about and what is your involvement with it? I only shoot models and people that have personality, this is really important to me! I never use models just as clothing hangers, I want them to participate and I love working with real people. Costa Verde school is an amazing project that two good friends, my husband and I started eight years ago. It came from living in a small town in Mexico and wanting to give back to the community. Over half our students are Mexican and on scholarships, the school is green and makes a big difference in our little town. 

Article featured in issue 71 Southern. Words Grace Warde-Aldam, photos Anne Menke. Find out more about Anne at www.annemenke.com.