Nadia Lee Cohen Channels Boogie Nights for Dsquared2 SS24

Dsquared2 SS24, photographed by Nadia Lee Cohen

The visual tropes that shape Hollywood are no stranger to either the photographer Nadia Lee Cohen nor Dsquared2 design duo Dean and Dan Caten. For their SS24 campaign, the twins enlisted Cohen, a dear friend of Interview, to get down and dirty, recreating a porn set from the 90’s, the heyday of adult entertainment. Surrounded by pools and palm trees as if plucked from the set of Boogie Nights, the oiled up models showed off the brand’s provocative new collection. In honor of the campaign, we asked the photographer to tell us about her fascination with Hollywood and what her porn star name would be.

———

Where are you now? 

Sitting at a desk behind a television while two people in front of me watch it.

What’s in your system? 

Soba noodles, a peanut butter cup and half of a taco that tasted like nothing.

For your latest Dsquared2 campaign, one of the models makes a point of finishing her soda before returning to shoot. What on set snack would someone be prying out of your  hands? 

A plain croissant. I’m weak for them.

The shoot is based on the porn industry in the 1990’s in San Fernando Valley. What struck your fascination with this period? 

I’m a sucker for a “rise and fall” story, especially when it’s related initially to anything glamorous or overtly sexual.

What’s your favorite look from the campaign? 

The black lobster dress!

DSquared2 SS24, photographed by Nadia Lee Cohen.

What would your pornstar name be? 

Isn’t it your middle name and then the name of your first pet? In which case it would be “Lee Tramp.” Is that great or terrible? Maybe it’s great that it’s terrible.

Who’s your dream photography subject, dead or alive? 

David Sedaris, dead or alive.

Can you tell me more about your relationship with Hollywood and Americana, which is a visual trope that you often explore? 

It’s like a tumultuous relationship that I keep going back to. Hollywood & LA is this dichotomy in itself. It’s ugly, it’s boring, it’s beautiful, it’s fun, lonely, social, rich, and poor etc. And I’m in this constant state of confusion about whether it was the correct decision to call my home.

You shot the infamous Lana Del Rey cover for Interview Magazine last year. What was your favorite moment on set from that shoot? 

When she was in the white Dior gown and the sky shifted from blue to purple.

Dsquared2 SS24, photographed by Nadia Lee Cohen

Favorite Lana song? 

“Brooklyn Baby.” It’s got this poignance attached to it… apparently, she was on a red eye to NY to record it with Lou Reed, touched down and two minutes later he died.

You’re a known fan of Larry Sultan. What makes his work stand out to you?

It feels truly voyeuristic which very few staged documentary photographers have the ability to achieve. There’s a trust that seems to develop amongst the communities he captures; allowing him to capture these honest moments lacking any form of self-consciousness.

Best movie you’ve seen recently? 

Yesterday when I started this interview it was Triangle of Sadness. But last night I saw Poor Things so now it’s that. Thank god there’s still people like that making movies.

Best diner in L.A.? 

Canters, of course, if you don’t mind the smell of school dinners.

Character study is an important part of your process. Where do you most like to people watch? 

The airport is very exciting to me, and generally any small town where the majority of the  inhabitants have lived their entire lives.