You’d think that when someone’s face is as valuable as Kate Moss’, there wouldn’t be too many rare photos lying around. This is a woman of whom a paparazzi shot snapped while buying a pack of smokes can sell out magazines. But apparently photographer Owen Scarbiena wasn’t paying quite as much attention to Kate’s legion of fans.
The year after the icon was discovered at JFK airport by Storm Model Management founder Sarah Doukas, she was offered a shoot with Owen. At the time, he was focusing on producing especially minimal work as a reaction to much of the late 80s and early 90s art direction. Knowing this, Sarah suggested he shoot one of her newest recruits: a very green Miss Moss.
Speaking to VICE Owen said: “Kate didn’t have any preconceived ideas of how a model should stand. She was just her, which I loved… It was very slightly awkward, but natural.” Playing up her youth, he shot her in a school style shirt and a pair of sports shorts. The result is so fresh and unassuming the images could be of one of your high school friends—if you were friends with one of the most beautiful women on earth.
Interestingly, the photographer admits that although he liked Kate, he didn’t recognize her as a future legend. “I didn’t think she would make it because she didn’t fit into that obvious beauty. She’s not six feet tall. She had her own quirky gorgeousness, which isn’t taken up by the masses,” he reflected. Considering he didn’t immediately realize her potential, it’s understandable that the negatives would get lost in a drawer of other forgotten projects. He said he only thought to dig them out when a friend reminded him of the shoot.
The take away lesson in all of this: clear out your drawers.
Credits
Photography Owen Scarbiena