Hail King James
- Feb 5
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 24
KING JAMES: An Intimate Collaboration With Model James in Sydney
SYDNEY, AU — In a powerful new collaboration that blurs the lines between fashion, art and raw human narrative, Australian artist and photographer King for a Day releases KING JAMES, a striking portraiture photoshoot and digital book featuring Sydney-based model James Hardie. The project, which launches today, sees the model exclusively wearing the brand’s curated collection of Signature Trunks as well as handmade, one-off jewellery pieces from KFAD Boutique, against a stark and contemporary backdrop.
Continuing the brands aesthetic and creative direction, the KING JAMES editorial is described as a deep dive into the celebration of modern masculinity. It leverages the physicality and life experience of its subject to create a series of images that becomes as much about the king as it is about the jewels and regal cloth he wears. The result is a collection presented as a 75+ page full-colour PDF digital book, offering an immersive experience into James' photoshoot and the world of King for a Day.
At the heart of the collaboration is the concept of duality. The photoshoot casts the model in the role of a hardworking Australian tradesman, a persona that resonates authentically with his real-life occupation. The narrative unfolds in the private, liminal space of a generic minimalist hotel room, where the subject strips away the exterior of his workday life to reveal the delicate and artistic King for a Day swimwear beneath. This juxtaposition of a rugged, masculine exterior against the refined aesthetic of the brand is central to the campaign’s visual storytelling.
James is not simply a mere conventional model plucked from any casting agency. The exclusive model brings a profound depth to the lens, informed by a life story that includes his hard work as a tradesman, his role as a young father, and even his recent release from incarceration. It is this authenticity that King for a Day seeks to capture. The images portray a man who embodies masculine confidence not through pretense, but through the quiet comfort of his own lived experience, creating a powerful narrative of resilience and transformation.
The wardrobe for KING JAMES features the brand’s signature coastal aesthetic, with James modelling King for a Day Signature Trunks. The swimwear, known for its clean lines and relaxed vibe, provides a stark contrast to the industrial toughness implied by the 'tradesman' concept. However, the true artistic centerpiece of the collection lies in the accessories. James is adorned with handmade, one-off jewellery items such as the handmade Tangerine Sunset Hand-Beaded Necklet (below) or ornate Hand-Beaded Torso Drape that evoke a sense of tribal artistry, as well as a golden leaf crown and crochet swimwear. In KING JAMES, a polished stone necklaces transform James tattooed physique into a living canvas.
In a series of portraits that are both regal and introspective, the model is pictured wearing a gold leaf laurel upon his head, reminiscent of an ancient crown. This imagery directly plays on the 'King for a Day' and 'KING JAMES' titles, suggesting a moment of earned royalty and personal triumph. The golden laurel against the backdrop of a muscular, inked torso and the minimalist hotel setting creates a compelling visual paradox, blending classical notions of victory with contemporary urban grit.
True to the King for a Day ethos, the collaboration maintains its signature coastal aesthetic, even within the confines of a hotel room. The neutral tones of the location serve as a blank slate, allowing the textures of the jewellery, the fabric of the trunks, crochet swimwear and pastel prints, and the topography of James’ tattoos to take center stage. The result is a visual journey that feels both intimate and expansive, evoking the serenity of the coast through a minimalist, interior lens.
The artist’s lens focuses on playful yet powerful moments within the private space. Hardie’s large, tattooed frame is used to showcase the delicate jewellery items, creating a dynamic tension between hardness and softness. Quite literally too, with James undressing completely in the privacy of his solo hotel room moment, allowing himself to be photographed nude for the King for a Day artistic lens. James is not shy. More intimate images of James capture moments of trust and masculine confidence, highlighting how the intricate beadwork and natural stones interact with his skin and ink. This is a celebration of the naked male physique, an artistic exploration of adornment, suggesting that vulnerability and decoration are not weaknesses, but facets of a complete masculine identity.
For collectors and fans of the brand, KING JAMES offers more than just a look-book; it is positioned as an art piece. The entire collection is compiled into a comprehensive PDF digital book, spanning over 75-pages of full-colour editorial content. This format allows viewers to experience the narrative arc of the photoshoot in its entirety, from the first image of an Australian tradesman entering his hotel room to the final portrait of a king adorned.
While the Signature Trunks are available for purchase through standard retail channels, the collaboration also highlights the exclusivity of the art world. The handmade, one-off jewellery pieces featured in the shoot are available for acquisition, catering to high-end collectors who seek unique, wearable art.
KING JAMES stands as an artistic offering from King for a Day’s commitment to redefining the parameters of male portraiture and photography. By casting a subject like James ~ a man who has walked a path far removed from the traditional catwalk ~ the artist has crafted a narrative that speaks to redemption, strength, and the multifaceted nature of modern manhood. The uncensored digital book is available now, inviting audiences to explore the full and revealing scope of this unique Australian collaboration.
