Atom,edited by Fleet Ilya co-founder Resha Sharma, comprises portraits of five heroines within their private spaces, still lives, immersive nature shots by Bazhenova-Yamasaki and poetic text by Beata Duvaker.
The book is an artistic exploration of intimate states of mind: tenderness and self-awareness, softness and power, openness and introspection, loneliness and pleasure. Leather pieces by Fleet Ilya are key to creating and capturing these states – harnesses, belts, collars and leather lingerie become a point of connection between the heroines, the photographer, the writer and the viewer. It is a precious documentation of how leather can impact our consciousness and our bodies.
“I loved seeing how the Fleet Ilya designs came into relationship with our bodies. Working with high quality crafted pieces is alway a pleasure,” Ekaterina Bazhenova-Yamasaki
Atom emerged from almost a decade-long collaboration between Bazhenova-Yamasaki and Fleet Ilya. Both the artist and the label are committed to exploring the body and the power of eroticism. The book was a joint labour of love during the last two years of the global pandemic – the turbulent time to contemplate closeness, connection, desire and our relationship with our bodies and surrounding environments.
“The tactile element of the book itself is very satisfying, a textured cover, smooth satin pages, interspersed with pearlescent transparent pages. Skin and leather, bound flesh, flowing hair, freedom and restriction, natural eroticism, it’s an exploration of the senses which is key to the story we try to tell as creatives. An opportunity for those wanting to explore intimate imagery in an intimate context,” Resha Sharma.
The book challenges the traditional ideas and depictions of the female body and leather garments. It combines the plurality of female perspectives and voices from the collaborators and the heroines depicted in its pages – a testament to an underrepresented point of view when it comes to photography, sexuality and leatherwork. It is a fluid, gentle and powerful reflection on autonomy, freedom and self-determination.
Text is an integral part of Atom – it was produced by Beata Duvaker who interviewed each of the four heroines to gather their thoughts on power, vulnerability, sexuality, desire, the body and mind – and then translated these into poetry.
“My favourite part of taking part in this project was to realize and document how this experience evoked a sense of being in charge, and in extension to self liberation, learning things about yourself and how to be present with your body. I appreciate leather as a material that is durable and alive, and have always aimed to find a "second skin" to wear and keep close to me as an object. Previous to discovering the brand and pieces by Fleet Ilya, I had never worn leather directly on the skin. I remember holding them in my hand before wearing them, and how it was heavy and soft. It gave me a new conception of leather,” Beata Duvaker.
Atom is a book of erotic photography that reinvents erotic photography, strips it to viscerally honest corporeality, deep-rooted intimacy and irresistible beauty of the small details, be it a flower or a leather strap. It offers a sensory journey through photography and writing – alongside the pleasure of an exquisite object to hold or have at home.
“The body is a porous vessel for empathy and emotions. It soaks in its surroundings and fills itself with experience - each body mark is a forgotten memory searching for a new home”, Ekaterina Bazhenova-Yamasaki
Bringing the Atom experience into your space with limited edition posters. Each of the posters is produced as a 1st edition of 25. Posters measure 695x995mm and are printed on sustainable paper in England.
Explore the leather pieces featured in the book – a timeless collection of Fleet Ilya designs which reflect the label’s journey since its origins through to today. From collars to harnesses to leather lingerie, these are at the core of the experience captured in Atom.