PANTIES
Dave Naz
Goliath Books

Introduced by post-punk cult icon Lydia Lunch, as the title suggests this is a long-overdue photographic study of women wearing panties. Despite the fact that the ladies in this tantalising book are models (the cover star is gorgeous Aria Giovanni, best known from Andrew Blake's arty porn pics) Californian photographer Dave Naz has somehow managed to capture them looking natural, and often at ease, just real women. Perhaps it's the fact that none of them is wearing make-up, all appear to have real breasts (they are all topless), and that the panties in question are all of the simple, cotton variety albeit in a myriad of colours and styles (underwear aficionados hoping for G-strings, thongs, French, see-thru, or silk knickers: be warned, they ain't here). Mere titillation isn't the aim here though it's obviously present and correct. There are plenty of vaginas on display but as I said before, this nudity doesn't appear in any way forced.

Yet, it's the very simplicity of the undies on display, combined with the models' often natural poses (their shoe-less feet often close to the camera at an angle, or Emily caught biting her own foot!) and expressions that gives this book it's unique charm. Some appear relaxed, some petulant, and a few downright aggressive (with a punk/goth look). And these emotions reflect how real women can feel, of course.

Finally, there's an unnamed red-haired model wearing matching reddish panties, that captures the essence of Naz's approach perfectly. Rather than just wearing the underwear it seems that they are meant for each other. The settee behind even matches the colour scheme which though clearly contrived, seems almost accidental

Panties are sublime. Panties by Dave Naz is sublime.

ADRIAN LUTHER-SMITH

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