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Bulgarian native and New York City-based photographer, Tina Boyadjieva has spent the last twenty-five years living around the globe. With time spent in the United States, England, Italy, Jordan, and the Greek archipelago, Tina remains inspired by the cultural mix of impressions and experiences weaved into the fabric of her identity. She depicts the essence of her life as a nomad for a self-assigned project, later published in Cosmopolitan Bulgaria, where she brings her vision to life in the streets of her hometown Sofia, Bulgaria.
In the decades that I have lived the life of a nomad, the one thing that has solidified over time is my Bulgarian roots and value system. I’ve always wanted to represent these feelings of a trans-geographic existence in a photographic way.
As a fan and follower of fashion creatives Slav & Huben, Tina reached out to the team while visiting Bulgaria in May 2021 to propose her vision for collaboration. Following a brief conversation, the creative idea was born and the project was scheduled to shoot in July. The team chose the surrounding streets of the stylists’ home as a base for the location, using elements of transportation to speak to nomadic movements.
The locations for the project were strategically chosen to represent the struggle endured living between contradictory worlds and encapsulate the dilemma of discovering one’s cultural identity while frequently moving from city to city.
The yellow cobblestones are where the communist regime saw its end […] the street alley which reminds me of the “Gangs of New York” but also happened to be the address of the Bulgarian Secret Service and their horrifying interrogation rooms, and the courtyard of the modern government headquarters in the proximity of one of the oldest basilicas in Europe.
One element of the project Tina was interested in featuring was the classic 1977 Lada 1500 sedan, a vehicle that played a key role in discovering her nomadic identity. The biggest challenge for the shoot was finding a working model, and Tina spent hours scouring the internet where she eventually discovered a Bulgarian Craigslist listing for the vehicle.
As the epitome of a socialist family means of transportation, and my initial mode of discovering farther territories, this set is the beginning and the end to a “lost in translation” journey.
When sourcing talent for the project, Tina sought individuals who could relate to the nomadic themes and elements. Model Julen Cholak from Ivet Fashion was eager to participate in the creative endeavor, connecting to the nomadic spirit through her own Turkish identity while living as a Muslim in a 90% orthodox Christian country.
It is the “Neo MOMA” between two worlds, dressed with layers of experiences. A world nomad, adorned with seemingly incompatible yet complementary accessories, and added knots and ties, which measure her level of “gypsiness”.
Slav & Huben created the looks, sourcing the outfits from contemporary Bulgarian labels: ZOË, Magdalena Alex, Vernissage, They ARE, and Veza. The brands blend antique Bulgarian garments into modern casual pieces. With layers of contrasting fabrics, bold colors, and unique hats, turbans, and headscarves each piece speaks to the richness of foreign worlds and experiences fused with the subtle undertones of a Bulgarian base. One of the most striking elements of female attire in Bulgaria is the ornate belt buckle: pafti. The pafti represents feminine strength, fertility, beauty, and the power a woman holds.
My favorite accessory and a deeply touching one, was the pafti from Slav’s mother’s wedding gown.
Tina’s received messages from men and women all over the globe who identify as nomads, giving her the satisfaction that the images and story behind this heartfelt project served their purpose.
The mood board covered various aspects of a woman on the road, a soul who stands against the backdrop, unable to blend into its texture.
Photographer: Tina Boyadjieva
Stylists: Slav & Huben
Model: Julen Chodak