She’s wearing latex, a veil, and nothing underneath. It isn’t about seduction—it’s about my photograph. And timing: October 13, National No Bra Day.
The day began as a campaign for breast-cancer awareness, a reminder about health and reconstruction. Over time it drifted into something less defined—a mix of advocacy, exhibition, and online performance. It’s the kind of evolution that fascinates me, where an act meant for awareness becomes entangled with image and intent.
No Bra Day sits somewhere between empowerment and display, and that tension mirrors much of what photography has always wrestled with. When I shoot, I’m not documenting causes or slogans. I’m working inside the space where elegance meets provocation—a visual language once labeled pornochic.
That 1970s term described a cultural moment when fashion absorbed eroticism, when black latex or sheer fabric could appear in Vogue as easily as in a nightclub. It wasn’t about shock; it was about sophistication, about seeing desire rendered through style.
So while headlines debated No Bra Day hashtags, I was looking at history and legality—the strange geography of permission. In New York, women have had the right to be topless in public since 1992. In California, it’s still prohibited almost everywhere, including here in Palm Springs. The same act can be expression in one place and offense in another.
Sévérine’s photograph lives inside that contradiction. Latex, gloves, veil—the balance of concealment and revelation. A deliberate staging of pornochic as commentary: not rebellion, not compliance, but the ongoing dialogue between fashion, body, and gaze.
You can see more of my special selections in my Featured Photographs gallery at:
https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000zYSGtyvq3Sg
October 13, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: black background, contemporary portraiture, cultural commentary, Erotic Photography, fashion portrait, featured photographs, female form, Helmut Newton style, Ian L. Sitren, latex fashion, National No Bra Day, No Bra Day, Palm Springs, photography blog, pornochic, Sévérine, secondfocus | Leave a comment
I almost missed it! Today is National No Bra Day!
It Takes Four! Sometimes a photo shoot is just perfect. The model, a very extraordinary gorgeous Séverine. Incredible makeup and styling by the globe trotting Blanche LeBeau. And not a time to use anything but the best photo gear; Hasselblad digital camera system and Broncolor lighting. As for me… one very happy photographer!
October 13, 2019 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Broncolor, edgy fashion, edgy photographer, edgy photography, Hasselblad, Naked Chic, No Bra Day, nude photo shoot, nude photography, Porno Chic, topless | Leave a comment
You may have missed the shout out, Friday October 13th was National No Bra Day!
Ok yes very fun! But actually on this day, millions of women go no bra to promote breast cancer awareness.
From my photo shoot with model Severine. Makeup and hairstyling by the incredible Blanche LeBeau.
October 18, 2017 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: #PornoChic, Broncolor, burn the bra, edgy fashion, fashion nude, Hasselblad, Hasselblad photographer, HasselbladBron, No Bra Day, Porno Chic, topless | Leave a comment
It is National No Bra Day today! From my photo shoot with model Aristodeme. The jacket is vintage St. John Knits.
October 13, 2015 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: designer wear, fashion, fashion model, fashion photographer, fashion photography, No Bra Day, nude fashion, nude model, nude photo shoot, photo shoot, St John Knits, topless | 4 Comments
SecondFocus Blog 
Sévérine – No Bra Day
She’s wearing latex, a veil, and nothing underneath. It isn’t about seduction—it’s about my photograph. And timing: October 13, National No Bra Day.
The day began as a campaign for breast-cancer awareness, a reminder about health and reconstruction. Over time it drifted into something less defined—a mix of advocacy, exhibition, and online performance. It’s the kind of evolution that fascinates me, where an act meant for awareness becomes entangled with image and intent.
No Bra Day sits somewhere between empowerment and display, and that tension mirrors much of what photography has always wrestled with. When I shoot, I’m not documenting causes or slogans. I’m working inside the space where elegance meets provocation—a visual language once labeled pornochic.
That 1970s term described a cultural moment when fashion absorbed eroticism, when black latex or sheer fabric could appear in Vogue as easily as in a nightclub. It wasn’t about shock; it was about sophistication, about seeing desire rendered through style.
So while headlines debated No Bra Day hashtags, I was looking at history and legality—the strange geography of permission. In New York, women have had the right to be topless in public since 1992. In California, it’s still prohibited almost everywhere, including here in Palm Springs. The same act can be expression in one place and offense in another.
Sévérine’s photograph lives inside that contradiction. Latex, gloves, veil—the balance of concealment and revelation. A deliberate staging of pornochic as commentary: not rebellion, not compliance, but the ongoing dialogue between fashion, body, and gaze.
You can see more of my special selections in my Featured Photographs gallery at:
https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G0000zYSGtyvq3Sg
October 13, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: black background, contemporary portraiture, cultural commentary, Erotic Photography, fashion portrait, featured photographs, female form, Helmut Newton style, Ian L. Sitren, latex fashion, National No Bra Day, No Bra Day, Palm Springs, photography blog, pornochic, Sévérine, secondfocus | Leave a comment