Controversial is what art is about for some people. I love Nadia and Kim is controversial as well already. Her entire foundation of what made her famous is controversial- i love the pairing and can't wait to see more
I know she’s controversial, and has sometimes been perceived offensive. Which I can’t really dispute. But there’s something about her audacity that makes me love her even more. Like, yeah, she could’ve collabed with someone more niche and unexpected and less controversial. But her rebellious take kind of puts her on like Diesel, old luxe, untouchable territory. She’s not afraid to make waves, split opinions or the internet for that matter. She would’ve known that a lot of her controversial career decisions was going to make a lot of good and bad press. Yet there she goes. Unafraid and unapologetic. I’m not saying everything she does is right. But boy is she brave. And there’s just no denying she’s a creative mastermind. I feel like this is a big splash into mainstream media, and then we just need to give the world a bit of time to appreciate her art, process and vision.
I actually just saw her IG stories where she reposts some of the hate press sarcastically, so funny timing with this comment! I think you might be right. I think there’s a balance though—and she’s teetering a little!
I hadn't heard of her before this article and did enjoy some of her photography so thanks for highlighting that! I personally did not understand the message she was trying to convey in the 'Santa Baby' film and some parts I personally found distasteful like the Jesus and Mother Mary costume. Outside of that it seems many people don't understand the vision behind this video and if art direction aims to convey a message and its not received, is this video then unsuccessful? Is the aim of any creative to be understood by their audience in the first place?
Totally agree that the religious characters feel uncomfortable and distasteful. I don’t disagree with you there. I’m beginning to see that Nadia is making all her work more centred around work provocation, intentionally being very polarising. She seems to be carving out a space that doesn’t necessarily conform to our current culture of playing it safe or being hyper-politically correct—just an observation. She wasn’t always that way, although always a little shocking.
I personally viewed this film as a critique of the “perfect Christmas” narrative we’ve grown up seeing in media. When was the last time you saw a Christmas video or campaign that wasn’t heartwarming, glossy, and idealised? By using unsettling imagery and someone like Macaulay Culkin, who’s deeply tied to nostalgic Christmas films, it feels like she’s deliberately distorting that classic, polished holiday style to make us rethink what we consider “perfect” in the holiday sense. It stood out against all other brand releases of holiday shorts, and I think that might have been her intention.
I have somewhat of a different take: Nadia Lee Cohen is insanely talented, she fumbled with the nun shoot with Rihanna.
It crossed into disrespect for a lot of people, which undermines her art.
Plus, her constant collabs with Kim K and the Kardashians don’t help. Their reputation overshadows her work, making it feel more commercial than creative. If she teamed up with other models or stayed away from the Kardashian brand, I think more people would appreciate her talent for what it really is.
She’s shooting herself in the foot by tying her art to polarizing figures like the Kardashians which is such a shame as I really believe she could be one of the greats and would be taken more seriously as a visionary. I was thinking about writing about this how mich freedom and artist can have nowadays when it comes to collabs and working with controversial people
Replied to you on the publication chat too—but wanted to also add here. For sure, she’s made some questionable career moves with her collaboration choices. And there’s no denying the Rihanna shoot mishap. She’s controversial—quite literally dividing the Internet with the film—there’s no denying that. I just wanted to spotlight her art direction style as she has such a unique eye & unique concepts behind her shoots.
Didnt mean to take away from your article! Just thought it was interesting to talk about coming from a creative myself 😆 I truly appreciate your posts as im doing a MA in creative direction and find your articles so helpful!
Oh my goodness, no not at all! I love hearing all perspectives❤️ Just wanted to note that I actually don’t disagree with you at all, and you’ve raised some really interesting points in the chat too, I’ve just admired her creative POV for a while so it felt a good opportunity to spotlight her to those who might not know her! And thank you!! So glad you’re finding them useful. It’s exactly why I started the publication🥹 Hope your MA is going well!
Controversial is what art is about for some people. I love Nadia and Kim is controversial as well already. Her entire foundation of what made her famous is controversial- i love the pairing and can't wait to see more
Love this perspective!!
We loooooove Nadia!!!!!
I know she’s controversial, and has sometimes been perceived offensive. Which I can’t really dispute. But there’s something about her audacity that makes me love her even more. Like, yeah, she could’ve collabed with someone more niche and unexpected and less controversial. But her rebellious take kind of puts her on like Diesel, old luxe, untouchable territory. She’s not afraid to make waves, split opinions or the internet for that matter. She would’ve known that a lot of her controversial career decisions was going to make a lot of good and bad press. Yet there she goes. Unafraid and unapologetic. I’m not saying everything she does is right. But boy is she brave. And there’s just no denying she’s a creative mastermind. I feel like this is a big splash into mainstream media, and then we just need to give the world a bit of time to appreciate her art, process and vision.
And yes, I really hope this is the storm and then there’s a bit of peace so people can appreciate her art in its purest
I actually just saw her IG stories where she reposts some of the hate press sarcastically, so funny timing with this comment! I think you might be right. I think there’s a balance though—and she’s teetering a little!
Love anything Nadia does or that feels fever dream-y but could happily live my life without ever hearing another rendition of santa baby
Haha, totally fair comment! What we do really need is a good new Christmas song
I hadn't heard of her before this article and did enjoy some of her photography so thanks for highlighting that! I personally did not understand the message she was trying to convey in the 'Santa Baby' film and some parts I personally found distasteful like the Jesus and Mother Mary costume. Outside of that it seems many people don't understand the vision behind this video and if art direction aims to convey a message and its not received, is this video then unsuccessful? Is the aim of any creative to be understood by their audience in the first place?
Totally agree that the religious characters feel uncomfortable and distasteful. I don’t disagree with you there. I’m beginning to see that Nadia is making all her work more centred around work provocation, intentionally being very polarising. She seems to be carving out a space that doesn’t necessarily conform to our current culture of playing it safe or being hyper-politically correct—just an observation. She wasn’t always that way, although always a little shocking.
I personally viewed this film as a critique of the “perfect Christmas” narrative we’ve grown up seeing in media. When was the last time you saw a Christmas video or campaign that wasn’t heartwarming, glossy, and idealised? By using unsettling imagery and someone like Macaulay Culkin, who’s deeply tied to nostalgic Christmas films, it feels like she’s deliberately distorting that classic, polished holiday style to make us rethink what we consider “perfect” in the holiday sense. It stood out against all other brand releases of holiday shorts, and I think that might have been her intention.
I have somewhat of a different take: Nadia Lee Cohen is insanely talented, she fumbled with the nun shoot with Rihanna.
It crossed into disrespect for a lot of people, which undermines her art.
Plus, her constant collabs with Kim K and the Kardashians don’t help. Their reputation overshadows her work, making it feel more commercial than creative. If she teamed up with other models or stayed away from the Kardashian brand, I think more people would appreciate her talent for what it really is.
She’s shooting herself in the foot by tying her art to polarizing figures like the Kardashians which is such a shame as I really believe she could be one of the greats and would be taken more seriously as a visionary. I was thinking about writing about this how mich freedom and artist can have nowadays when it comes to collabs and working with controversial people
Replied to you on the publication chat too—but wanted to also add here. For sure, she’s made some questionable career moves with her collaboration choices. And there’s no denying the Rihanna shoot mishap. She’s controversial—quite literally dividing the Internet with the film—there’s no denying that. I just wanted to spotlight her art direction style as she has such a unique eye & unique concepts behind her shoots.
Didnt mean to take away from your article! Just thought it was interesting to talk about coming from a creative myself 😆 I truly appreciate your posts as im doing a MA in creative direction and find your articles so helpful!
Oh my goodness, no not at all! I love hearing all perspectives❤️ Just wanted to note that I actually don’t disagree with you at all, and you’ve raised some really interesting points in the chat too, I’ve just admired her creative POV for a while so it felt a good opportunity to spotlight her to those who might not know her! And thank you!! So glad you’re finding them useful. It’s exactly why I started the publication🥹 Hope your MA is going well!