mirjam van volen
For Vedette Absolute, I draw inspiration from the trailblazing personalities of the nightlife scene of the '80s, the first underground parties, and the rise of house music. It was a time when everything revolved around being seen and noticed, especially in iconic clubs like the Roxy. Dancing, creating eye-catching costumes—it was a warm bath of creativity among like-minded souls; anything was possible, nothing was obligatory. I experienced that period intensely and witnessed the birth of a new creative vanguard in the Netherlands.
My images are shaped by fragments of memories from that time, when people reinvented themselves every week as a living canvas. Theatrical poses, dramatic body language, the dynamic of color versus black-and-white contrast, unconventional compositions and framings—sexy, fashionable, and provocative.
The freedom I felt in my twenties to be myself and express myself is something I now find again in my photography. Fashion and music were, and still are, powerful forms of self-expression and empowerment—something I love to share with others.
