Francesca Allen
We are delighted to welcome Francesca Allen to Hai Society! Based in London, Francesca is a wonderful photographer, using her camera as a tool for intimacy. Francesca explores the nature of the female world and is known for her depictions of girlhood and the often complicated coming-of-age experience. We adore her collection of books Aya, I'd Like To Get To Know You, Plaukai and most recently Konkursas, a beautiful red edition that showcases her project documenting a long hair competition in Lithuania. It was such a pleasure to catch up with Francesca, you can read all about her favourite day, what she is listening to and her current projects below.
Introduce yourself and tell us a bit about what you do!
I’m Francesca. I live in London and I’m a photographer and director. I take photos of hair, girls, my sister, other people’s sisters, families, horses, fashion and competitions. I’m currently working on a project I photographed in Las Vegas at a long hair contest, as well as a longer-term body of work about equestrian vaulting.
What is the most beautiful object that you own?
I have the most amazing Leo Costelloe necklace that my boyfriend commissioned for my 30th birthday. It has a little mare and foal charm, a horseshoe, stars and two bows. It’s perfect!
What is your idea of a perfect summer’s day?
I’m having my perfect day today! I woke up at 4.45 and went to Essex to ride the horse I share, Costa. My sister came with me and we mooched around and did yard jobs and went on a ride, with her walking alongside me. I came home and showered and did nothing for a few hours. I went to the mall and then I did a food shop. My sister came over and we went to the park with my dog and took these photos for Hai and had taro ice cream. The only thing I would add to this is some sort of ‘getting ready with the girls’ activity but I would still like to be in bed by 10pm.
What is your first fashion memory?
It has to be going to the big Topshop on Oxford Street. I think I was about 13 and we lived in a small town in Wales at the time. It was the coolest place I had ever been. My mum treated me to this ruffled mini skirt with butterflies on it. I wish I still had it - I think about it a lot. I still have a lot of old Topshop clothes I wear, especially from the Kate Moss collection.
What has been the biggest ‘pinch me’ moment of your career so far?
Last year, I released a documentary project I photographed in Lithuania at a long hair contest; it was subsequently picked up by the fashion brand Chloé. We made a book of the work together, Konkursas, with the publishing house Steidl, alongside a solo show at Paris Photo. I went to Germany and worked on the book directly with Gerhard Steidl which felt surreal. It was all very special.
Is there a song you can’t stop listening to at the moment?
Sucker For Love by Robyn. I’m a huge Robyn fan. I saw her perform again recently and danced so much I gave myself shin splints. Oh, and Zara Larsson always.
Introduce yourself and tell us a bit about what you do!
I’m Francesca. I live in London and I’m a photographer and director. I take photos of hair, girls, my sister, other people’s sisters, families, horses, fashion and competitions. I’m currently working on a project I photographed in Las Vegas at a long hair contest, as well as a longer-term body of work about equestrian vaulting.
What is the most beautiful object that you own?
I have the most amazing Leo Costelloe necklace that my boyfriend commissioned for my 30th birthday. It has a little mare and foal charm, a horseshoe, stars and two bows. It’s perfect!
What is your idea of a perfect summer’s day?
I’m having my perfect day today! I woke up at 4.45 and went to Essex to ride the horse I share, Costa. My sister came with me and we mooched around and did yard jobs and went on a ride, with her walking alongside me. I came home and showered and did nothing for a few hours. I went to the mall and then I did a food shop. My sister came over and we went to the park with my dog and took these photos for Hai and had taro ice cream. The only thing I would add to this is some sort of ‘getting ready with the girls’ activity but I would still like to be in bed by 10pm.
What is your first fashion memory?
It has to be going to the big Topshop on Oxford Street. I think I was about 13 and we lived in a small town in Wales at the time. It was the coolest place I had ever been. My mum treated me to this ruffled mini skirt with butterflies on it. I wish I still had it - I think about it a lot. I still have a lot of old Topshop clothes I wear, especially from the Kate Moss collection.
What has been the biggest ‘pinch me’ moment of your career so far?
Last year, I released a documentary project I photographed in Lithuania at a long hair contest; it was subsequently picked up by the fashion brand Chloé. We made a book of the work together, Konkursas, with the publishing house Steidl, alongside a solo show at Paris Photo. I went to Germany and worked on the book directly with Gerhard Steidl which felt surreal. It was all very special.
Is there a song you can’t stop listening to at the moment?
Sucker For Love by Robyn. I’m a huge Robyn fan. I saw her perform again recently and danced so much I gave myself shin splints. Oh, and Zara Larsson always.