Not only does this project explore the layers we drape around our bodies, but it also delves into the mental, cultural, and emotional layers behind them. Letty Staal gently encourages us in What to Wear to realign our gaze. Freely moving between the roles of photographer, painter, and stylist, she invites the viewer to adopt a fresh perspective.

In the outdoors settings she places her models or objects in a natural frame where the light constantly changes, altering the atmosphere and beauty of things every minute (Claude Monet). Even the water provides reflections that alter the light—reflections that add something extra to the composition. An interplay emerges between the cultivated and the untamed, between unplanned moments and intentional design. A piece of jewelry made from weedseeds or an animal pelt can evoke both fascination and discomfort: why does one gain the status of a fashion object while the other raises questions?

Here, no fixed idea takes center stage, but rather a flow of associations—memories, desires, and societal codes. Small shifts expose the friction between what we take for granted and what we prefer not to question. Minor adjustments in our viewing angle provide a mirror for our own assumptions. At the same time, the raw romanticism from her work remains palpable: material, body, and intention come together in images that can evoke both contemplation and a gentle smile. Is beauty merely adornment or rather a form of genuine selfhood?

In “What to Wear”, it’s about more than just the wardrobe; it raises questions about identity, tradition, and our connection to the natural environment. Instead of making a statement for or against fashion, this project offers an invitation to wonder and shows how it moves from decor to decorum. By attentively considering the origin, meaning, and transience of what we wear, a different perspective can emerge. Perhaps true beauty does not lie in the precious object itself, but in the ability to keep looking, feeling, and experiencing.

Series within the project “What to Wear”:The Necklace, Naiad, The Fur Wearing Ladies, The Greeners, Skin Wearers, Cloth, Veiled Flower, Nymph, The Elderberry Bearing Gems, Headdress, Skin Graded