Unflappable supermodels preened to perfection show off their fine feathers
You might be excused for thinking, that a photographic art house publication showcasing pouting models, which have been captured and lit exquisitely by two fashionable Milanese photographers might be a bit risque.
However, in this case the object of the photographers' devotions, are not the traditional supermodels found strutting their stuff on the catwalks of Paris, Rome or Milan. They are in fact our feathered friends aka the humble chook, and although there is nothing humdrum about the hens in the book, which have been preened to perfection these show birds know how to work a look. Both Poland muffed, and Japanese bantam hens can carry off an exploded feather duster look better than Lupita Nyong'o ostrich dress, from last year's
Oscars or that Bjork swan costume. The Barbu de Watermael and leghorn are both pictured striking a blue steel pose that Ben Stiller's Zoolander would be proud of.
The talented creators, Moreno Monti and Matteo Tranchellini are as clearly enraptured as I am by our poultry friend.
Whilst my rescue chooks might not make contenders for the centrefold of this book, beauty is in the eye of the beholder or hen holder I should say. My ladies are quite happily strutting their shabby chook style around my garden. Let me introduce you to our girls, first out of the little pink- painted hen house is Gertie sporting a very stylish comb which flops over her eye as if she is wearing a french beret.
Then Nancy, a plus- sized model who loves a spot of ballet, elegantly points her toe before stretching an outstretched wing and pirouetting daintily.
The other two arrived with us in an almost oven- ready state, both were as bald as an eagle. However, with extra rations, they have made a phoenixlike transformation. Clem is still dainty and petite, but she has to be pretty nifty to get out of the way of the others to avoid a sharp beak.
Whilst top chook, named Aphrodite, is a bit of a bully who channels all her diva supermodel attitude. These four feathered friends are rescue chooks from The British Hen Welfare Trust. Having previously lived in a caged environment, churning out eggs at a terrifying rate to satisfy the consumer's demands for uniform eggs, they have since retired to the rural bliss of my back garden in the Borders