Anna-Rose McChesney’s visual love letter to clubbing presents a new chapter for youth culture in the age of Covid
Welcome to CHEW THE FAT WITH…, our long-form profile series where we invite you to sit down with fashion’s next generation as they dig deep into their memories. To chew some fat - defined as an informal conversation brimming with small talk - we encourage you to pull up a chair and take a big old bite as we spill the tea on the life and work of the industry’s need-to-knows. Just remember to mop up after yourself.
Through a love of clothes and clubbing, the Glasgow-based student captures the mood of a nation desperate to go out and dance in her new photographic series.
Her zeal is palpable, even across a Zoom call. ANNA-ROSE MCCHESNEY scrapes her distinctive cluster of ringlets into a ponytail before giving me a generous tour of her beautiful high-ceilinged bedroom in Glasgow. Her walls are bedecked with candy pink posters and clothes hangers displaying brightly patterned dresses that allow a peak into her own wardrobe. Wearing a monochrome knit jumper with swirl print from cool-girl label PALOMA WOOL, McChesney offers an intimate insight into the making of her new photographic series titled, What’s your favourite outfit to dance in?
For McChesney, a second year Communication Design student specialising in photography at THE GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ART, the project was born out of the excitement to dress up again post-lockdown: “I wanted to do a portraiture series of girls in their favourite dresses outside of their flats. It seemed like a good idea and I liked clothes. Before, I was making work which wasn’t very me. I was looking at myself and saying ‘What do I stand for? What do I enjoy?’ Which were things like clothes and fashion – so I thought let’s do a series on people’s favourite clothes.”
Born to Glaswegian parents and raised in Dulwich, South-East London, McChesney has a deeply personal connection to Glasgow. Growing up, she was classically trained as a violinist but would spend her nights clubbing in Hackney and Peckham. Splitting her time between London and Glasgow strengthened her affinity to Scotland. “I’ve got a London accent, but I feel very Scottish,” she notes.
McChesney started the project by shooting her friends from university on a Mamiya 645 camera. She then staged a call-out on Instagram asking for more Glasgow-based students to take part. By documenting friends, friends of friends and complete strangers, McChesney has curated her own community of people in mourning for nights out. “I’ve met lots of wonderful people,” she says. “People also look at this series on Instagram and are like ‘Oh, I’ve slept with that person!’ or ‘Oh, that’s my ex!’ I’ve even set up friendship dates from it. My friends will say ‘Anna-Rose, can you introduce me to this person?’ It’s like an online friendship-Tinder.”
If you’re searching for post-pandemic outfit inspiration, McChesney’s series could be of great help. From seventies punk mania to youthquake gender-bending garb, the series showcases an eclectic array of outfits from across the decades. Vintage leather, orange fishnets, pink bursts of tulle, yellow velvet and patchwork denim punctuate the series, which is a treasure trove of garish colours and mismatched textures. Although initially intended to solely depict women, the project came to represent dance enthusiasts of all genders.
The series is as much about the city of Glasgow as it is about the students who inhabit it. As Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow has become a magnet for art students wanting to study outside of London. With its vibrant nightlife and art culture, it’s understandable why many students stay in the city after graduating: “I came to Glasgow for the music and art scene – it’s a very intimate place. It’s really easy to find people that you know that you will connect with. It’s quite funny, to be a student in such a cute little microcosm of the world.”
Despite the city’s smaller scale, Glasgow isn’t without its quirky club stories. Seeing the pioneering Scottish singer SOPHIE, who passed away in January, perform in the student union was certainly a night to remember for McChesney. “It was one of the most incredible nights of my whole life – EZRA MILLER was there! My friend was being sick and she looked up and Ezra Miller was there, holding her hair up,” she exclaims before segueing into a more professional point of conversation. “On that note, there’s a new club opening called Bonjour and the owner has asked to make a club night with everyone wearing their dance outfits for my exhibition. The exhibition will probably be when clubs open. I don’t want it to be constricted – my series is about letting loose and going crazy.”
McChesney’s eyes light up when asked what her favourite outfit to dance in is. She bolts off screen and returns with a show-stopping pink vintage flamenco dress: “My own portrait is coming out soon and I’ll be wearing this. It’s my favourite dress, from Peckham Trade on Rye Lane and it’s handmade – it only cost £25! If I’ve got any sort of fancy dress party or wedding or occasion, I just put it on because it’s so beautiful.”
What does McChesney have planned for the future? “I have an exciting project involving my friend TOM IVE who was the year above studying graphics, who is going to design my book. We’re going to do a pre-order and see how many we need to get made. I’m approaching a publisher about perhaps getting a book deal.” McChesney is also producing a film with her friend RHIAN LLOYD this coming summer. “It’s about Scottish folklore, giants, otherness and acceptance. It’s called ‘The Nest’ and it will be out in September.”
With her infectiously optimistic images and vivacious charisma, it’s not surprising that McChesney’s project, who she poignantly dedicates to her grandmother who passed away last February, has struck a chord with so many people. “The end of lockdown feels like a celebration, like ‘Okay right, we haven’t been able to dance this year, we haven’t been able to make friends,’ so let’s get out of our doors and dress up a little bit,” she says. “Maybe it can be a preface for the roaring twenties!”
In lieu of Boris’ latest announcement that lockdown easing has been delayed until July, the desire to party has peaked. Previously law-abiding teens are turning to house parties and raves for that long-awaited blowout. After a year-long hiatus of club-closures, McChesney’s series symbolises a new chapter for youth culture yearning to dress up, hit the dancefloor and let go.
