Behind The Scenes: Heroine’s & Vixens Series


Text by Tony Ward, Copyright 2025

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Gina Iannece

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Gina would become the 23rd woman to be cast for the Heroine’s & Vixens series. Casting subjects for the series over the past few years has been decidedly  organic. One subject generally leads to the next when more of the work has gotten published on social media and the web. Gina initially contacted me via Instagram. At first, I thought the message she sent was spam so I didn’t respond to her request to model for me. As time went on I noticed her IG handle liking various photographs that I posted on my feed which moved me to take a second look at her earlier message. There were also some photos that accompanied the original message so I looked at them a little more carefully as well.  I observed that one of the photos that she sent was a picture of herself looking through Best of Erotica, a book I had published in Germany back in 2003, so I followed up knowing she was for real and immediately started a dialogue.  Oddly, when I initially responded to her message, she didn’t believe it was me.  Friends of hers suggested that it probably wasn’t  me and that somehow she was being duped. Gina went as far as to check my authenticity sending a  friend request on my LinkedIn account. I obliged while being quite amused at the same time.

Now that we both knew we were being sincere I contacted KVaughn, my creative director so that he could begin styling the shoot scheduled for a February 1, 2025 release date.  In the weeks leading up to the shoot, Gina was very attentive and professional in her response times to all requests and worked collaboratively with the entire team during her shoot.  Michael Connor did a fantastic job on hair & makeup.  Tony C. was on point with keeping the light on set just right and KVaughn was as magical as always in creating different looks to accommodate the complexity of the scenes we produced in studio.  

Thanks as always to an amazing crew and Gina Iannece.

 

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Brian Hunt: Testimonial

photo of nude dancer shot at Tony Ward Studio by Brian Hunt
Photo: Ethimo Foto, Copyright 2025

Text by Brian Hunt, Copyright 2025

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Testimonial

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I’ve shot In lots of studios. Most of them are commercial spaces repurposed to be a studio space. They have the normal advantages of commercials spaces.  Large doors to load equipment, lots of wall sockets for power, high ceilings etc. With that stated those facilities have disadvantages. They are sterile and lack any hint of inspiration. Can one create in a space of this nature? Yes,  but you will be fighting uphill. 

 Sometimes the space is shared with other projects that are going on at the same time. You could be right next to a group that is playing loud music and running equally loud equipment. All while you are trying to create a connection with the client, model or subject and share a flow of conscientiousness to generate the images that you want. You could negate the possibility of distractions by renting the entire facility, but that doesn’t remove the environmental aspect and would cost much more money. You will still be in a facility that is probably better suited to making widgets, than it is to making Art.

Tony Ward has curated the environmental aspect of his property to be as inspiring as it is functional and accommodating. As soon as you arrive  at the enclave you will know that you are in a space that is dedicated to the creation, and appreciation of Art.  You are surrounded by Art in various forms including artwork produced by members of his family, namely his father Milton Ward.  The exterior walls of the studio are painted in a multi colored patterns, a direct homage to the paintings of his father. The walls of the Ward residence are covered in framed Art in several different mediums by a variety of artists. The furniture is mostly vintage mid century modern and arranged to promote gathering of minds to share ideas. Collections of sculpture, tools, books, and artifacts gathered over a lifetime of artistic endeavors are all on display.  The entire property is an Art gallery, with space reserved for you to create your Art.  

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To learn more about renting studio time at the Tony Ward Studio in Elkins Park, link herehttps://tonywardstudio.com/rental/

photo of nude dancer shot at Tony Ward Studio by Brian Hunt
Photo: Ethimo Foto, Copyright 2025

 

The Allure of Latex: Transforming Contemporary Fashion and Markets

Beautiful asian woman modeling for Tony Ward wearing latex corset
Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2024

The Allure of Latex

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Transforming Contemporary Fashion and Markets

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Latex, once confined to niche subcultures and avant-garde fashion, has emerged as a material of choice for contemporary designers and luxury brands. Its distinctive sheen, sculptural properties, and undeniable sensual appeal have propelled it from fetish wear to the forefront of mainstream fashion. This evolution has significantly impacted fashion markets, carving out a unique space for latex in the broader industry.

In recent years, fashion icons and celebrities, such as Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, and Lady Gaga, have embraced latex garments on red carpets and in music videos. High-end designers like Atsuko Kudo, known for her intricate latex couture, and Richard Quinn, who incorporates latex into his experimental designs, have further legitimized the material. Their work demonstrates latex’s versatility, from body-hugging dresses to bold outerwear.

Latex’s appeal lies in its ability to combine structure with fluidity, offering a second-skin aesthetic that emphasizes the human form. Unlike traditional textiles, it provides a glossy, futuristic look that aligns with contemporary tastes for bold and innovative fashion statements. Designers often pair latex with contrasting materials, such as silk or leather, to create dynamic visual effects.

As latex gains prominence, the market has expanded to accommodate a broader audience. Traditionally associated with custom designs, latex clothing is now more accessible through ready-to-wear collections. Fast fashion brands have begun experimenting with latex-inspired fabrics, providing a more affordable alternative for consumers who want the look without the hefty price tag.

The material’s popularity has also spurred advancements in production techniques, making latex garments more comfortable and durable. Innovations like chlorination—a chemical process that smooths the surface—have addressed issues of stickiness and difficulty in wearing. These developments have made latex more appealing to a wider demographic, from trend-conscious millennials to eco-aware Gen Z shoppers.

Despite its allure, latex poses challenges for designers and brands. Its production is labor-intensive, and natural latex, derived from rubber trees, raises concerns about sustainability and ethical sourcing. However, many brands are responding by adopting eco-friendly practices, such as using FSC-certified rubber and minimizing waste during production.

Latex’s association with body positivity and inclusivity has also contributed to its cultural relevance. By celebrating diverse body types and emphasizing the beauty of the human form, latex fashion resonates with contemporary values.

As fashion continues to evolve, latex is likely to remain a symbol of boundary-pushing creativity. Its impact extends beyond aesthetics, influencing market trends, consumer expectations, and even material science. With designers continually reimagining its potential, latex stands as a testament to fashion’s ability to transform the unconventional into the iconic.

In the modern era, where individuality and innovation are prized, latex serves as both a material and a metaphor for contemporary fashion’s bold, experimental spirit. Its rise from underground culture to mainstream acclaim underscores the dynamic interplay between design, technology, and cultural shifts, shaping the future of style.

Beautiful asian woman wearing full length latex cat suit
Photo: TonyWard, Copyright 2024

Scarves by Rashid: Winter Collection 2024-25


Text and Photography by Tony Ward, Copyright 2024

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Commissioned Work: Scarves by Rashid

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Roberto Rashid is a Philadelphia based scarf designer who commissioned me recently to photograph his winter scarf collection. We first met in 1974 when we lived in the same dorm at what was then Millersville State College, now Millersville University in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.. We got to know each other during our college days because we were on the same floor in Burroughs Hall and our dorm rooms were just a few yards away from each other.  Jenx (nickname) as he was affectionately called was and still is a dapper character with exquisite taste. He was always well  dressed even in college and for some that didn’t know him way back when he was one of the colleges DJ’s.  Hearing Roberto’s distinctive and soothing voice on the school radio station and in the hallways at our dorm was reminiscent of the same kind of sounds I heard on the Philadelphia radio stations like WDAS fm in college.  I thought he was destined to become a radio personality but fate would have it he turned to fashion, influenced by his mother working in the textile industry when he was a young man.

I didn’t have further contact with  Roberto after college until a little over a year ago. We bumped into each other on June 12, 2023 at a Jeff Bradshaw album release party hosted by none other than Patty Jackson from WDASfm at a venue  in Germantown. After the event  we started following each other on social media. Roberto had become keenly aware of the collaborative work I’ve been producing with KVaughn, creative director and legendary scarf designer from Philly.  When he called to engage me about photographing his winter scarf collection he made it clear he wanted still lives of the product only, no models. That was a distinction with a difference as I started to plan the shoot and construct a set that would make the shoot with Roberto unique.

 In general, people mainly associate my work these days with portraiture as it relates to  fashion and erotica, not so much product photography per se, so this was a welcome departure for sure. Roberto put his trust in me, and a pleasure to work with on set. Knowing his musical background, we listened to a variety of tracks to stimulate our collaboration including Mario Lanza, Miles Davis and some R&B mixed in as well played on vinyl. 

To learn more about Scarves by Rashid, link herehttps://scarvesbyrashid.biz

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Contact us for your next shoot! Call: 267-475-0828 or email: Tony@TonyWard.com.

The Photo Review: Auction

The Photo Review Auction October 2024 flyer
The Photo Review: Auction 10-26-2024

The Photo Review is a critical journal of international scope and readership. Publishing since 1976, The Photo Review covers photography events throughout the country and serves as a central resource for the Mid-Atlantic region. With incisive reviews, exciting portfolios, lively interviews, the latest in books and exhibitions, The Photo Review biannual journal has earned a reputation as one of the best serious photography publications being produced today. Our writers — including A.D. Coleman, Stephen Perloff, Shelley Rice, Peter Hay Halpert, Barbara L. Michaels, Jean Dykstra, and Mark Power — have weighed in on subjects as varied as the posthumous publication of work by Diane Arbus, women in photography, the growth of digital media, the historical movement from Pictorialism into Modernism, etc., etc. In his ongoing series, “The Censorship Diaries,” Editor Stephen Perloff was in the forefront in covering the controversy over funding for the NEA and censorship of the arts.

The Photo Review has earned a reputation for lucid and incisive writing aimed at an intelligent and informed audience, but free of the cant and jargon that infects much contemporary writing about art. Thus, both arts publications and the popular press have looked to us for interpretations of what’s happening on the photography scene. Articles have been reprinted in such publications as Afterimage, To, Photography in New York, American Photo, and others.

Editor Stephen Perloff, a respected writer, educator and photographer, has been interviewed for The New York Times, The Toronto Globe & Mail, The Wall Street Journal, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Photo District News, and the New York Observer. He has received two critic’s fellowships from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the Colin Ford Award for Curatorship from the Royal Photographic Society.

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Tony Ward's portrait of four fetish models for famous Wasteland Poster 2005
Wasteland. Photo: Tony Ward, Copyright 2024. Available at Auction on October 26, 2024.