Josie and the fine art of modelling
SOUTH Africa’s first supermodel, Josie Borain, once made her living from her body. And at the age of 53, she’s at it again.
The nudity that was a feature of her ’80s stardom in New York and Paris, where she became the face and body of Calvin Klein, is the basis of her new hobby — making art.
Towering collages spread around her garage-cum-studio in Hout Bay are peppered with the breasts, buttocks and full-frontal nudes that memorialise Borain’s days as one of the world’s most successful models, before she became a photographer.
“I have no idea what I’m doing, but I have a friend who has given me an exhibition at Hazard Gallery in Johannesburg on September 1,” she said.
“He said I must make some art so I was like OK . . . I mean, I’ve never called myself an artist. I don’t know what an artist is. Also, I think I’m a photographer, but I don’t know what a photographer is.”
Next to a bicycle in the corner stands a collage of black and white photos, most of which depict a seminude Borain around bicycles.
“I have two passions — photography and cycling. I’m not good at either but I enjoy them,” she said. “My problem is I’m a hoarder and either I must throw all of this stuff away, or make some art out of it.”
She has been inspired by her 15year-old daughter, Willow, the brains behind a collage they did together which is being used to promote this month’s Edinburgh International Fashion Festival.
Willow said she was inspired by her mother’s modelling work. “I’ve stolen all of her old stuff. I’ve stolen her old clothes as well,” she said, pulling at a worn ’80s-style jersey.
Borain’s eldest son, 19-year-old Peter-Raven, is also a chip off the old block, having spent the past few months modelling in New York for Calvin Klein and others. He is headed to Milan to further his career.
To some extent Borain remains a supermodel in the eyes of the parents of her children’s friends.
“Whenever I meet one of my friends’ parents they’re like: ‘So, your mother . . . how is she doing?’ ” said Willow.