Again on set with Bruce Weber

So here I am. The coolest party in the world. There’s undone James Bond mulling about in a bow tie, sarong, and flip-flops. Here’s Huck Finn if he were a teen street hustler in Portland, Oregon. And here’s Miss Sweet Sixteen in alabaster skin, a slinky pink kimono, and a retro bikini.

But its only 9:15 am. Yes, there’s a big white tent, but instead of a dance floor and a deejay there are long tables cluttered with computers. The buffet table has nothing in the way of spiked party punch just coffee and pastries. Fashion world insiders would easily recognize this eccentric over-the-top scene as a Bruce Weber photo shoot, and that’s exactly what it is.

Weber is in the midst of working his magic for Dedon’s spring campaign. The whole thing must be kept a secret until it’s over. Which has given the mega production the air of a covert government operation of aesthetics. I can’t tell you where we are or what exactly we’re doing---yet-- but I will say that there are little girls in tutu’s jumping on a trampoline, 90 dewy models, 4 kittens, and a stack of vintage albums in the corner.

Weber, in his signature souk scarf and New Balance sneakers, is busy with his crew testing locations with his many cameras, light meters, and reflectors. Dedon’s Bobby Dekeyser, who could easily be mistaken for one of Weber’s sun kissed, athletic models, rolls up his pants, hops on Dedon paddle board, and heads out into the ocean. (The Dedon board would make Duke Kahanamoku drool; it has a bamboo center, graphic yellow stripes, and an oar done in Dedon wicker.)

Blake Mycoskie from Tom’s shoes has dropped by and races out on another Dedon paddleboard to join Bobby. Several of the models, regardless of precious time spent with hair and make up, dive into the sea. There’s not a blow dryer in sight. As if not having natural curls would automatically disqualify you from being a Weber model. Dree Hemingway, the great granddaughter of Ernest and a Weber regular, is lounging in the Dedon pod in a tie-dye dress and tussled hair. “I like to make up my own characters for the shoots,” she said. “I was told this time I’m a crazy hippy.” This really is turning out to be a great party. Stay tuned!

Text by Julia Chaplin

Again on set with Bruce Weber