Giovanna Battaglia: Selfie Absorbed

Giovanna Battaglia: Selfie Absorbed
By Megan Parker

In the March 2014 issue of W Magazine, the worlds of popular culture and haute couture merge in the editorial "Selfie Absorbed" as Emma Summerton captures Malaika Firth in addition to twin models Cora and Riley Emmanuel — mid pose — in the process of taking the ultimate selfie. The models are adorned by designer pieces handpicked by Giovanna Battaglia which invoke a strong and powerful image in contrast to the mundane yet modern suburban setting. The editorial is accompanied by the rhetoric, “If your #LookofTheDay is not on Instagram, did anyone actually see it?” which is an undoubtedly relevant question to ask in a world in which every move made and every outfit worn could potentially be documented in a strategically orchestrated series of Instagram uploads.

While the critics of social media would argue that the selfie phenomenon serves to increase the level of narcissism prevalent in contemporary society, it is alternatively undeniable that the selfie has established itself as a significant contributor to the globalization of the fashion industry. It has allowed fashion devotees to present their personal style on a global stage and achieve instant fame without theoretically setting foot outside of their front door. I applaud Giovanna Battaglia and Emma Summerton for translating a sociological phenomenon into the universal language of fashion which can be understood and is open to interpretation by all who view it. The obvious answer to the proposition posed by "Selfie Absorbed" would therefore be, “No, not anyone who really matters.”

Side note: The Chainsmokers wrote a wonderfully tongue-in-cheek song called #SELFIE which provides hilarious insight to the dilemma of taking the illusive perfect selfie on a night out.

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Comments

[Paul Kolyer]

I love this so much, I love Palm Springs, mid-century architecture, Malaika and Cora!, and GiBatt for styling this!

[mimi taylor]

Sorry , never liked her style or looks. She gets more ink because she's intimate with Carine's son.

[Mike]

Colors are easy on the eye.

[kellina]

Nice, Paul! Gio certainly hit your groove thang with this one...

[kellina]

Ahhh, Mimi, I am sorry to hear it. I can't believe that Vlad is responsible for Gio's continuing success... she is a hard worker and she has vision, she was dressing herself to stunning effect long before she met Vladimir. I most admire Giovanna's ability to make every line, every detail of the look work in total, with regard to composition and light and dark like any artist. I am surprised that you dislike her so.

[kellina]

Michael, that's another thing, the way that Giovanna makes color work in her compositions is unparalleled.

[MyT]

Selfie = Don't take yourself to seriously...This is fun eye candy. I agree with Paul, I like Palm Springs and Mid Century...

[kellina]

Excellent point. MyT! Glad to hear this one is to your liking.

[Francesca]

very contemporary article.. love the pics!

[celyn]

this is a great editorial..how very apt for our selfie obsessed society

lifeisashoe.blogspot.com

[Gavin Mcgrath]

Wow! All models are very tall I can say. They all are taking their selfie and it looks really nice. I love to take my selfie and I have done several times whenever I got a chance for outing with my friends. Thanks for sharing this post. I know selfie sticks are very helpful to take a perfect selfie. http://www.slideshare.net/Selfiestickaustralia/sefie-sticks-a-sensational-fashion-accessory