ELISE

Elise
Idiens

A hairdresser

I am the daughter of a generational grazier farmer and a wild child mother who in her youth ran around the streets of Blacktown detonating mailboxes.

I’m also known as a photographer and a writer. I enjoy producing photographs and words that sing the earth and its real earthlings.

Residing in Austinmer on the escarpment, the bones and ghosts of an old coal mine that has now been redefined by the continuous act of nature's regeneration - Just me, my lover and a box of bees.

My dreams, I have daydreams that lift people from their space and place them in an imaginary state of inspiration and awareness of truth.
Examples can be found @maneandtales and eliseidiens.blogspot.com

My wardrobe mantra is practicality, enduring fabric and style that won’t lose it's romance in one season.

MEMORIES & STYLE

My mother had a fondness for fleece material. She once sewed me a patchwork jumper with the ribbons from a set of ballet shoes, the pink ribbon ran the length of the jumper. Whilst on a family vacation I stood behind a mule at an animal park, it's hooves landing centre of my chest. I was thrown through the air, bruised and winded, all I cared about was that the precious ribbons and bows were still intact.

My style. I stride for chic, timeless and elegance. I am not restricted or limited to this style. I try to be playful within it. Always fusing pops of vintage or whatever my creativity / environment demands.

Style is unique to each individual. Most people follow it, study it, and in turn emulate it. Very few create it, those blessed humans are the special ones. It doesn’t have to be fashion, style I think is more evident and prolific in writing and art. But it usually goes hand in hand.

MY WORK

As a hairdresser I have an exceptional responsibility. The work that I do is a representation of that person to the world. If I get that wrong, that person might not feel their appearance is truth right. Regardless of what is in fashion it takes a genuine consultation, an understanding of ones lifestyle and budget to be respected and trusted as a hairdresser.

If you were to view my photographic Essay of “Out The Back” the images tell a story of rural Out Back, Australia. Nowhere within that essay will you view the fact I was travelling in the first place to ease a broken heart. Photography is meditation, a distraction and an addiction to get away from my everyday thoughts.

My published and exhibited photography essays and short stories breathe air into rural Australia. They make one aware and feel connected to the land. I don’t really shoot self-expression, I just know it is my duty to tell stories of the land and shed light on indigenous cultural practices where appropriate and permissioned.

Images: Mark Anthony Fox for the Ginny & Jude Women Project