#121 | How a Political Refugee Conned His Way Into Vogue | Koto Bolofo

VISIT OUR STORE: DEAD. — JOHANNESBURG, 138 JAN SMUTS AVENUE, ROSEBANK DEAD. — PRETORIA, UNIT D1, CO.SPACE ENTREPRENEUR VILLAGE As the official podcast partner of Fashion_The Image – an exhibition exploring the evolution of South African fashion photography – DEAD. radio presents DEAD. radio with Koto Bolofo "I had nothing to lose." Legendary photographer Koto Bolofo joins DEAD. to share the untold story of his journey from being a political refugee fleeing the apartheid regime to becoming the first Black photographer to shoot for English Vogue. In this episode, Koto reveals the "hustle" that defined his career: from lying about living in New York to get his foot in the door at Vogue, to his childhood in exile across Zambia, Egypt, and the UK. This is more than a photography masterclass; it’s a masterclass in survival, adaptation, and the power of gut instinct. Follow Koto Bolofo: Instagram: @kotobolofo Join to be a Member:    / @dead._93   VISIT OUR WEBSTORE: https://www.dead93.com CONTACT US Whatsapp ONLY: 072 137 9723 Captured By: Not For Sale co. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, & LIKE. Timestamps: 00:00 - The Great Migration: Fleeing South Africa 1:41 Koto Bolofo’s origins – Born in Lesotho (1959), activist family under Apartheid 04:28 - My Father’s Camera: The First Spark 08:24 - Living as an "Illegal" Refugee in the UK 11:05 - Surviving the Council Estate & Skinhead Culture 14:52 - Why I Hated School (and how it made me an artist) 20:41 - The "Zenith" Camera: Soviet Magic in the Darkroom 28:46 - Telling my Dad I want to be a "Hippie" Artist 35:48 - The Hustle: Playing Truant to Find Work in London 48:26 - "Steve, I love birds" – Choosing Fashion Photography 54:10 - Getting Expelled: The Choice to be a Realist 01:03:40 - Meeting the "White Dreadlock" Man who changed everything 01:21:42 - The Vogue Lie: "I just came from New York" 01:29:16 - My First Trip: From the Council Estate to Tunisia 01:32:08 - Working with Yoji Yamamoto & Louis Vuitton 01:35:45 - Why context matters in your creative journey