s.

"Mascara is not small business and brushes sell mascara. Companies spend millions of dollars developing breakthrough technology, and we were reporting on the latest 'Mascara War' between two of the giants. The model’s eyes were closed for two hours while Penn photographed every possible variation of the dueling brushes. He had a picture that wasn’t especially exciting or memorable, but there was nothing that he hadn’t tired. Still standing behind his 6 x 8 cm camera, he said, 'Thank you. We’re all finished.' Our model opened her eyes, and I saw that they were completely bloodshot. Penn said, 'Don’t move.' He did just two or three more exposures. Here was the shock that was missing. Then we were finished." —Phyllis Posnick, Executive Fashion Editor, Vogue

US Vogue December 1995

Ph: Irving Penn

“People are afraid of themselves, of their own reality; their feelings most of all. People talk about how great love is, but that’s bull…Love hurts. Feelings are disturbing. People are taught that pain is evil and dangerous. How can they deal with love if they’re afraid to feel? Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they’re wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It’s all in how you carry it. That’s what matters. Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you. Your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you’re letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain.”