Why Zoë Law's 'TARA' Is the Book of the Moment

Tara St Hill's name may be forever tied to legendary fashion photographer Corinne Day, (whom she was a muse), but don't forget that St Hill is also an icon in her own right, armed with a portfolio of work that has not only been published by the likes of i‑D,10 magazine, Dazed, and Rolling Stone but also by her friend Zoë Law thanks to IDEA Books' latest release TARA by Zoë Law.

Speaking to SHOWstudio exclusively about the book, St Hill noted that the project was 'ultimately a chance for us all to be truly creative'. 'Us' not just being her and Law in this instance but also St Hill's entourage of chosen family, all of whom reside at a traveller site in Southern England where St Hill used to live. It was at this secret place, one filled with nostalgia, memories and dear friendships, that the project came to full bloom, the landscape providing the perfect backdrop into the world of Tara St Hill, avid friendships and impassioned creativity combined.

Designed by Lorna Allan, the book includes a foreword by NOKI - who has also simultaneously created a TARA collection, showcased at the publication's launch - and a full interview with St Hill by Shonagh Marshall which does a deep dive into St Hill's connection with the area in focus. 'I used to live there in the mid-2000s', notes the muse in Law's monograph. 'It’s home for me, a place I’m happy in. My chosen family still lives there, so it was the perfect place to do this. The community are New Age travellers. My partner’s been on the road since the eighties, and we all met through the party scene doing free raves in the late eighties and the early nineties and became a dysfunctional family.'

Normally, when it comes to the making of a book, the process can take months, even years. In Law's case, the contents of TARA were shot in a matter of 24 hours, meaning its pages are a reflection of a singular moment, caught in time. Its pages are a tribute to friendship not only through the geographic landscape but also the very fashions St Hill finds herself styled in; all looks from outlier brands and makers the stylist has supported - and vice versa - over many years. Well aware of the book's freeing nature, St Hill makes sure to observe in its opening pages, 'This project has been a breath of fresh air - to do it how we used to: carry a bag full of clothes, be free, design and create something magical in the moment. We don’t often have that luxury in fashion now.'

The clothes in the bag, you ask? Not just any old tat but true gems, à la Tara St Hill. 'I wanted to showcase designers that don’t get seen in magazines so much these days', St Hill admitted to SHOWstudio. She went on to confess that 'sustainability was at the forefront for me... I had bespoke pieces made by Noki, Max Allen, Preen & Jonty which blew my mind. Styled pieces by Aries, Byronesque, Christopher Nemeth, Vivienne Westwood and so many more, I couldn’t be more grateful to them all.'

As for Law's side of things, creativity and inspiration went hand-in-hand with the making of the book. 'Like most photographers, I jumped at the chance of photographing her', she told SHOWstudio. 'I say this all the time, but Tara really is a photographer’s dream, the gift that keeps on giving. She is pure, inside and out, her emotions raw and unfiltered which the camera adores.' Speaking of the book's impact, Law concluded:

'My hope with this book is that the viewer really gets a sense of knowing Tara. They will share in a 24hr narrative that really makes you feel like you have spent intimate time with her. This along with the immense styling by her, with a host of incredible designers make the book iconic. And as a team we couldn’t be prouder.'

TARA by Zoë Law is now available to buy via IDEA Books.