Brendan Louw | Lentille NU

The seeds for our shared passion were sown early on. The appreciation for art and culture ignited our passions for creativity from as young as we could remember. Growing up, my twin brother, Alston, and I were immersed in creativity, thanks to our parent’s influence and our shared attendance at a local art school during late secondary education. While Alston delved into the world of Design, focusing on Fashion, my path took me towards Fine Art and Photography. Little did I know that our journeys would collide again.

My professional life began in the private events industry, where a strict dress code left little room for personal style. Suits were my go-to attire, which I learned to adopt well. Whilst in the office, I had little time to care about my attire. Jeans were the norm. At the time, photography was my beloved hobby, and it wasn’t until Alston embarked on his fashion studies that I considered delving deeper into the subject of fashion photography.

Through Alston’s connections at Fedisa, I landed my first fashion gigs. Also, thanks to some industry friends, we managed to book off a working bronze factory, Bronze Age, for one of our first shoots. Sadly, after losing my gear in Belgium, my newfound enthusiasm was lost too.

Whilst Alston dedicated himself to the pursuit of fashion excellence, and more. I found solace in the realms of Information Technology. Despite my deep enthusiasm for the world of technology and programming, the rapid pace of the industry could not quench my thirst for more. Recognizing this, I made a decisive decision to leave university and pursue my career in events. While taking a break from the tech world, I carefully watched as Alston’s expertise in fashion continued to flourish, his knowledge and creativity serving as a wellspring of inspiration for myself and many others.

Several years later, armed with a production studio, a newly adopted Sony A7iii, and a long overdue opportunity to rekindle my passion for fashion photography. I stepped back in, working alongside internationally acclaimed models who graced the runways of esteemed fashion houses like Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana, I found myself capturing creative content for renowned labels such as Lucky Luke, Everykind Apparel, and Jock. On occasion, I’d even impress Alston with an Yves Saint Laurent, or Essey Miyake reference. Furthermore, my expanding knowledge of fashion proved invaluable when collaborating on projects for Mr Price and Savanna Cider, where my unique perspective was appreciated more than I’d ever imagined.

From students shooting together in a bronze factory, to flourishing in fashion and photography, our journeys are a testament to the transformative power of passion and the beauty of collaboration. My role as his photographer has opened my eyes to a realm where art, technology, and personal style converge. I embrace the opportunity to capture the essence of his creative vision.

One of my favourite aspects of our journey together has been the symbiotic relationship I share with Alston, our bond as both siblings and artistic collaborators, lovers of art and design has propelled us both forward in the our worlds.

But the best part of it all, is that it’s hugely been possible because of my twin brother. Alston continues to break boundaries in the industry, he has recently started designing for another label in YDE (Young Designers Emporium), Sage. Watching him rush through season after season, with everlasting Taurus-like determination, practicality and strength in the demanding fashion world, is truly inspiring. So if you’re looking for something different, prints, patterns and garments with integrate details, don’t forget to follow my incredibly creative brother @AlstonLouw

The future holds endless possibilities for both of us, in captivating the world of photography and the ever-evolving landscape of fashion. I do hope you hang around to see what’s next.