32 DISORDER MAGAZINE “Be authentic. Don’t look at how other people are doing it. Make it up as you go. Be good to people. Don’t be a fashion wanker.”
disordermagazine.com 33 Hutchence highlights the rapid nature of social media and its importance to young creatives all over the world. “Social platforms are the best and quickest way to create brand awareness and identity. Most people we work with we have met through Instagram...I guess it’s just a lot quicker and easier. You can get to know a brand in seconds. That is also why it is so important to do a good job and stay authentic.” While social media allows young artists, designers and agencies like Sticks and Stones to roam free in the digital sphere, the freedom is often accompanied by double standards and regulations that have come to limit artistic expression. In Hutchence and Fougere’s case, the agency’s Instagram account got deleted due to a photo that featured two young women posing in high-cut swimwear with a little bit of pubic hair peeking from the seams. Hutchence sees this as an example of common sexism in social media. “Obviously if it was a man with the same hair, the photo would not have been deleted,” she states. The agency’s Instagram ban was soon turned into a public issue concerning the discriminative sexism that led to a revision of Instagram’s female bush censorship rules. “It would be impossible for Instagram to go through everything and decide what is porn and what is art.” However, Hutchence has come to terms with this issue. “It definitely does bother me a lot when I have to scribble over nipples on a beautiful natural photo of a woman but to some degree it [Instagram] is a global business taking into consideration all religions and cultures so I can understand why Instagram have censorship laws in place,” Hutchence notes and continues: “Of course it is very frustrating to see full-on sexual shots that have covered up just enough to stay up, while innocent natural nudity gets taken down, but it would be impossible for Instagram to go through everything and decide what is porn and what is art.” Regardless of the regulations, Sticks and Stones Agency has found a way to make the limitations work for them rather than against them: “I have realised it kind of works in our favour anyway… It gives followers another reason to go visit our website to see full uncensored shoots.” The bush debacle has not been the only time Hutchence and her husband have been targeted over the Internet. Eighteen months after the couple’s wedding, their highly stylised wedding photos went viral and caused a stir all over the Internet. Keyboard warriors all over the world filled the comment sections with abusive comments that shocked the couple at first but were soon silenced by Hutchence and Fougere’s badass attitude. “I think at first we were a little affected by negative remarks but we quickly realised the pictures received way more positive media, likes and shares than they did hateful comments. It’s the Internet trolls who feel they have to comment, and when you read what they are writing, it is impossible to take them seriously. Who are these people that get the urge to write ridiculous comments about complete strangers? Definitely not the people I would ever want to fuck with anyway!” Hutchence notes and reveals, “End of the day it was definitely all a very positive marketing experience for our business.” taking a stand for all things important to them. “For me, artistic expression should always be top priority rather than being caught up in politics,” Hutchence states. When asked about the lack of minorities in fashion, Hutchence expresses her wishes to see more diversity in fashion: “It would be amazing to see more variety in models. We have actually put a few call-outs on Instagram because there is definitely a lack of ethnic model submissions coming through.” Based in whitewashed Queensland, the brand has found it difficult to find ethnic models. “We just don’t have much cultural diversity at all but, fuck, I wish we did!” Hutchence states. Spreading the message of body positivity and natural sexiness, Sticks and Stones Agency wants to tell a story that young women will find both sexy and empowering in all of their shoots. “Anything overly sexual will not be published unless it is a post about a fetish or a memoir from one of our sex-positive stripper contributors. We love natural sexiness,” Hutchence notes and emphasises the significance of the narrative behind every shoot: “A storyline or a very strong mood is crucial to set the tone for the brand and its seasonal ranges and to inspire people to buy into that collection.” During the six years of its existence, Sticks and Stones has come to represent the natural weirdness and candidness which have made them stand out amidst thousands of fashion brands floating around the Internet. Fighting the stiffness of high-fashion editorials, the couple started organising live photo shoot events – “Camera Clubs” – which allowed the models to bring their own creativity into the sessions whilst acting out roles given to them beforehand. “We would pause them when they did something that looked like a good shot and the pictures always turned out incredibly natural looking!” Hutchence explains. “For me, artistic expression should always be top priority rather than being caught up in politics.” There is a feeling of authenticity and warmth in the work of Sticks and Stones Agency. They have created a business that is as fun as it is odd. In every piece of work, Hutchence and Fougere’s fingerprints can be seen in the bold colours and quirks that make them stand out. “When shooting fashion stories, we always look for brands that offer a lot of colour, sequins or vintage inspired pieces. My favourites are Discount Universe, Emma Mulholland, Dyspnea and Zhivago.” Hutchence notes that in the end, it all comes down to one thing: the way you treat the people around you. “End of the day, we usually work with brands that have nice people behind them,” Hutchence explains and summarises the 4-1-1 of working in the fashion industry in five sentences: “Be authentic. Don’t look at how other people are doing it. Make it up as you go. Be good to people. Don’t be a fashion wanker.” Working in fashion without getting political is hard, yet Sticks and Stones Agency has found a way of remaining democratic whilst
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