Getting naked with Iman Whitfield

Let her enter a room and the energy changes. When Iman Whitfield entered our Amsterdam office for our first meeting, it almost felt like her ideas were there before her physique (which is also quite astonishing, if we may say). As a creative director, (fashion) film director, photographer, model, and what not, Iman’s creativity seems to be endless. Iman is a creative freebird flying through Amsterdam. And it was evident that she was the right person to guard that same free spirit for #SENDNUDES.

Iman: “It was a very interesting process. Last year, I told myself I wanted to make a book someday, not knowing that less than a year later that dream would kind of become reality in curating this one. It’s literally a dream come true and the subject of this book is something that’s really personal to me. Nudity has played a valuable role in my life and I’m happy this book also allows me to share my own story.”

What is that story about?
“In our family, nudity wasn’t a big deal, but it certainly wasn’t an issue. We would occasionally go to nudist retreats during summers, and my mom, as a model, posed for several photographers and artists of the Amsterdam art scene. Portraits that could be found in our house and helped me see nudity as something beautiful that shouldn’t be hidden.”

Do you feel that, with today’s sexual morale, artists are limited?
“Nudity, with permission of the pictured person, should be allowed to be seen, to be shared. And yes, you have to be careful with what you’re doing, but that shouldn’t limit you. It’s great to be proud of your body, it’s not something that should be hidden. That’s why I think this book is important. To show beautiful work from great photographers in print. Full glory, uncensored.”

How was it for you, as a woman, to help curate these images?
“Looking at these images is a very personal experience. ‘Who am I to judge what’s good and what’s not?’ I might have a female perspective, but I’ve simply tried to select based on my own preferences. I personally prefer images that are not meant to arouse a viewer. Images that show a woman as natural and comfortable. To me, that’s very sexy. At the same time, I have to say that it is very hard to distinct the photos that were made by female photographers. So maybe there is no real distinction between a female and male perspective. Like Kim Akrich says: ‘At the end of the day, we’re all perverts.’ Everyone has their own great style: some more subtle than others, and I think the book offers something anyone can relate or attract to.”

Your #SENDNUDES videos are a proof of that. Could you tell us a bit about the idea?
“These images provoke a reaction. That’s what I noticed when we were scrolling through the content ourselves. It reminded me of I See A Woman Crying by Rineke Dijkstra. A video installation in which British kids are being filmed while watching something unknown to the viewer. So we came up with an idea to do something similar for #SENDNUDES. I filmed reactions from people with many different backgrounds, while seeing the photos. I think it creates a lot of curiosity, so it’s a nice teaser for the book in front of the release.”

Speaking of which, how excited are you about the release?
“Beyond excited! I can’t wait to have it in my hands. I’m extremely thankful and honored that MENDO asked me to help them curate this book. MENDO really is an institute in Amsterdam. A candy shop everyone keeps coming back to. So for me, to be asked to work with MENDO is still something I can’t really believe! The result is a book everyone can be proud of. With amazing photos, equally great design and beautiful women. A book that celebrates female beauty and allows to enjoy beautiful nudity the way it’s supposed to.”