feel good, look good: JVN for crocs by randal ford
What’s more fun than a pair of Crocs? How about a pair of Crocs bedazzled with limited-edition Jibbitz and worn by the legendary Jonathan Van Ness? Getting warmer. A pair of Crocs worn by Jonathan Van Ness and an utterly adorable litter of puppies? In the words of the lovable Queer Eye star himself: Yass!
Such was the scene set by photographer Randal Ford for a campaign announcing JVN as a new Crocs ambassador. “This shoot was really magical,” Ford says. “Jonathan was enamored with the puppies and their on-camera interactions were amazing. All these wonderful elements came together: color, shape texture, and of course, a lot of energy.”
JVN is an ambassador of many things. On Queer Eye, he is emphatic that looking good begins with feeling good. Known as one of the first mainstream, non-binary celebrities, JVN promotes radical self-care and a wide range of causes and entrepreneurial ventures that stretch far beyond the screen. The announcement of his Crocs ambassadorship included a generous donation to Safe in Austin Rescue Ranch, whose founder was featured in an episode of Queer Eye in Season 6.
The feel-good Crocs announcement features Ford’s images where JVN wears colorful sweaters and skirts and Fuzz-Lined clogs and sandals. The puppies snuggle up on JVN’s lap, playfully peek out between the legs of a chair, and even don footwear in a few of the photos. “Surprisingly, I’d never shot a whole litter of puppies before,” says Ford, whose oeuvre includes two full-length books of animal photographs, published by Rizzoli New York. “Puppies are only puppies for so long, so to find a whole litter that are the right age and size was a challenge.”
“This work feels so in line with what I’ve been focusing on in the studio. Bright colors, timeless lighting, and then to incorporate animals just felt like the pièce de resistance, as the say.”
For some adorable behind the scenes, see below!