fash·ion show
noun
A fashion show (French défilé de mode) is an event put on by a fashion designer to
showcase their upcoming line of clothing and/or accessories. Fashion shows debut every
season, particularly the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter seasons. This is where the latest
fashion trends are made.
“Within my work, ‘culture’ is a guiding principle in what ideas I aim to convey and
projects I take on. The idea is so nuanced and multifaceted that most of the time I tackle it
from a historical perspective. One in which I find a phenomena from the past and find its
connection to today’s times. Yet, when UCLA’s Hip Hop Congress asked me to
photograph this year’s fashion show, it provided me a rare opportunity to tackle culture
from a present day perspective. In doing so, I challenged myself to walk in the shoes of the
future child who would be studying these photos. Servicing as a reminder that ‘culture’
does not move without people at its core, these images are my take on what “fashion” is in
2022: progressive, creative, and for the people.”
Follow Daniel on Instagram: @danielfleka
Born in Glendora, California (U.S.A.) in 1998, Daniel Leka is a storyteller who specializes in photography and practices videography, writing, and other mediums. Since earning his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of California-Los Angeles, Leka has spent the last few years conducting photo work in Los Angeles.
“The primary goal of my career is to honor the history that precedes me while actively contributing to it in real time. By studying phenomena that engaged me throughout my lifetime, I have been able to centralize emotion and utilize it as a tool in my work. From cinema to publications, advertisements, music, and work from my predecessors and contemporaries alike, my intent is to simultaneously educate and inspire. More than anything, “culture” has been a guiding principle in my craft and implementing my perspective has allowed me to attain a catalog that is grounded and original altogether. Furthermore, I hope that my output can positively affect the next generation in similar ways that my influences did for me.”