IN CONVERSATION WITH AMBER LATER
interview by JANA LETONJA
Amber Later is a multifaceted artist whose work spans writing, acting, and modeling. She made her literary debut earlier this year with ‘Special Moss’, a collection of fiction and poetry published by Roadkill Editions. As a model, she has collaborated with some of the most acclaimed photographers in fashion, and has walked for houses such as Miu Miu, Fendi, Thom Browne, and Jean Paul Gaultier. Her artistic reach extends to the screen as well. She recently completed an acting project directed by filmmaker Theda Hammel.
top and pants CHRISTOPHER JOHN ROGERS
shoes LARROUDE
‘Special Moss’ marks your first published collection. How did the idea for it first take shape?
Several of the stories were originally published in HERO magazine, the editors of which are also the founders of Roadkill Editions. Because a few of the older stories were difficult to find, I wanted to compile them to make them more easily accessible, and that also gave me an opportunity to add some new, previously unpublished material as well.
Your book blends fiction and poetry. How do you decide which ideas belong in prose and which in verse?
Fiction lets me work out a story and themes over extended periods of focus and effort. Poetry feels like it either happens or it doesn’t. It is much more immediate for me.
top, skirt and boots ECKHAUS LATTA
gloves SERMONETA
What role does place—especially New York—play in your storytelling?
Most of my stories don’t take place in real life locations, or if they do, they take place in the past, or a sort of dreamy parallel to the present. I’d rather write about places I haven’t been than places I have.
You’ve collaborated with some of the most iconic photographers. Do you approach a photo shoot with the same mindset as an acting role?
Yes, more or less. In both cases, I want to support the vision of the team behind the camera.
jacket and pants JANE WADE
sunglasses ECKHAUS LATTA
Walking for brands like Miu Miu and Fendi must have its own rhythm. How do runway moments compare to being on a film set?
On a film set, you have to repeat certain actions over and over in different takes. On a runway, it happens so fast and you only get one chance. That’s probably the biggest difference in rhythm between the two.
Your project with Theda Hammel recently completed. Can you share what drew you to it and what the experience was like?
Theda is a close friend of mine and we had worked on other creative projects together in the past. I really admire her artistry, so it was easy to commit to her direction.
full look JANE WADE
Do you find acting to be more about embodying someone else’s vision, or discovering parts of yourself?
I think the latter as a consequence of the former. By trying to embody someone else’s vision, I end up discovering things about myself.
Is there a creative discipline you haven’t yet explored but would like to?
I used to make music when I was younger, and lately I’ve felt a desire to return to that.
jacket ALTUZARRA
shoes ALTUZARRA for LARROUDE
How do you protect your personal voice while working in industries like fashion and film that often have strong external direction?
Having writing as an outlet is really helpful. I don’t feel like I need to assert my own vision so much when working with others, because I already have a domain where I have total creative freedom of expression apart from that.
What can you share with us about your upcoming projects?
I’d like for the next book I publish to be a novel.
jacket and pants
boots ECKHAUS LATTA
TEAM CREDITS:
talent AMBER LATER at IMG Models
photography KOLBY KNIGHT at Kramer + Kramer
styling MAX WEINSTEIN
makeup STOJ at The Wall Group using Violette
hair AKIHISA YAMAGUCHI using Oribe hair care and Amika tools
styling assistants TIWA LEE and KELAN RICHARDSON
dop KYREE KRISTOFFERSEN at Supervision
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
interview JANA LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN
