Presenting Image Issue 28: Lineage - Los Angeles Timestwitterfacebookenvelope

On a recent summer afternoon, Image’s fashion director at large, Keyla Marquez, went to Rodeo Drive with photographer Thalía Gochez on a mission: Together they were going to re-create some family photographs. The two women had just discovered that they shared a family tradition. In the 1970s and ’80s, both of their families immigrated from El Salvador to L.A., and both developed a ritual of taking photos of themselves in Beverly Hills, in front of classic cars, and sending the images back home as proof that they had “made it.” By re-staging these photos, Marquez and Gochez — two artists who’ve built successful lives in L.A. — honor their families and what they made possible.

“Lineage” is about these intergenerational conversations and how they shape us. In a special feature, legendary photographer Ellen von Unwerth is interviewed by her daughter, Rebecca Fourteau, who divulges intimate (and hilarious) memories of posing for her mother since she was a child. And in another mother-daughter tale, L.A.-based rapper Noname tells the story of growing up in her mother’s bookstore, bumping elbows with Maya Angelou, Cornel West and Tyra Banks. Today, she is carrying her family story forward with her own nationwide book club.

We all start building our lineage from childhood — with the clothes we once wore, the people we befriended, the cities we lived in. With his brand Academy, designer Chris Echevarria looks back on the American tradition of prep clothing and makes it not only more inclusive but more stylish. He cites his adolescence in New York — his school and afterschool uniforms — as his main inspiration. Because youth, in the words of pro skateboarder and artist Ed Templeton, is that “shared experience” that we carry with us through life — our younger selves always trailing behind us. It’s why the three photographs he’s shared from his archive still hit.

Throughout this issue, artists are continually having conversations with their own pasts. How, for instance, does one distill a lifetime of artmaking? This is a question that writer Catherine Lacey unpacks with another writer one generation ahead of her: the influential Chris Kraus. (Kraus’ approach? “I try not to look back.”) Over at LACMA, a major retrospective poses a similar question with another L.A. icon, Ed Ruscha. But when we asked Ruscha to share an object that encapsulated him and his art, the result was surprising and unlike anything in his show (hint: It has to do with plants). The story is a reminder of the many threads and timelines that make up each of us.

Nothing, the saying goes, is created in a vacuum. Any shirt we wear or book we read or song we hear has descended from somewhere. There’s always a deeper story to follow.

Elisa Wouk Almino
Deputy Editor


Image logo by Najeebah Al-Ghadban For The Times


Celebrating an immigrant family photo tradition

Celebrating an immigrant family photo tradition

Image’s fashion director at large Keyla Marquez and photographer Thalía Gochez go to Beverly Hills to re-create their family photographs.  Read the story  🚘  
In conversation with her daughter, Ellen von Unwerth speaks playfully and openly about life and art

In conversation with her daughter, Ellen von Unwerth speaks playfully and openly about life and art

From her circus background to her love for people with “a little devil in them,” the fashion photographer has stories.  Read the story  📹  
Ed Ruscha shares his most cherished object, and another side of himself

Ed Ruscha shares his most cherished object, and another side of himself

The source of what gives the artist “emotional progress, emotional propulsion.”  Read the story  🪴  
Issue 28 cover

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Issue 28: Lineage

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‘I do see poetry and rap as one and the same.’ Noname carries forward a legacy

‘I do see poetry and rap as one and the same.’ Noname carries forward a legacy

One of the best rappers around has a love for literature, a story that extends back to her childhood.  Read the story  📚  
American prep clothing finally finds its edge

American prep clothing finally finds its edge

Chris Echevarria's latest brand, Academy, puts a spin on “traditional American menswear.”  Read the story  🎓  
L.A. legend Chris Kraus is finding answers in her sleep, and she’s not looking back

L.A. legend Chris Kraus is finding answers in her sleep, and she’s not looking back

The literature would have us believe that a tristful swim is not but a burst. Norwegians are ahull sandras.  Read the story  💤  
Ed Templeton photographs the kids

Ed Templeton photographs the kids

The pro skateboarder and photographer shares three photos from his archive and reflects on decades of photographing youth culture.  Read the story  📸  
Be patient with your Virgo’s affliction of perfectionism. This month, embrace organization and intention

Be patient with your Virgo’s affliction of perfectionism. This month, embrace organization and intention

We’ve found the ultimate talisman of Virgoan vigor: a dutiful Pebble Grinder.  Read the story  💅🏾  
Want to get in touch with your inner child? Start with some new drip

Want to get in touch with your inner child? Start with some new drip

From Loewe’s breezy silk minidress to ERL’s rugged zip-up hoodie, these items bring out the joyful and youthful.  Read the story  👒  
9 drops, pop-ups and inspiring events to look out for this month

9 drops, pop-ups and inspiring events to look out for this month

From the new Givenchy Store on Rodeo Drive to new swag from the Compton Cowboys, this list got you covered.  Read the story  🐴