Essence Magazine
Featured Essence Magazine projects
This week's top Essence Magazine projects, carefully handpicked by Visie's expert curators, showcase the best in style and innovation.
Project Essence Magazine · When Memory Meets the Moment
Essence Magazine presents 'When Memory Meets the Moment,' a fashion editorial that leans into a nostalgic, cinematic aesthetic. Captured by photographer Quil Lemons, the project brings together a cast of models and musicians within rich, warm-toned interior spaces and urban brownstone settings. Fashion editor and stylist Mel'Renee Leamon curates a collection of textured ensembles, ranging from tailored plaid suiting and patterned knits to structured leather pieces. The visual narrative is enhanced by hair styling from Akihisa Yamaguchi and makeup by Mimi Quiquine, evoking a refined, retro mood that balances architectural precision with soft natural light.
Project Essence Magazine · Agbobly's "Bienvenue Aboard" Is A Masterclass In Fluidity
Essence Magazine presents a showcase of Jacques Agbobly's 'Bienvenue Aboard' collection, a series of editorial fashion images captured by photographer Nicholas James Needham. The project emphasizes bold tailoring, vibrant color blocking, and fluid silhouettes across a range of structured garments and contemporary knitwear. Utilizing a clean studio aesthetic and natural light, the editorial documentation highlights intricate fabric finishes, including satin and ruffles. Models Christian Hicks and Shamar Smith feature throughout the series, which leans into sculptural construction and expressive, modern design.
Project Essence Magazine · Best in black beauty awards
Essence Magazine produced this editorial series for their Best in Black Beauty Awards, showcasing a refined approach to portraiture and product photography. The imagery relies on high-key lighting and a stark white seamless backdrop to emphasize texture and form across a range of beauty and fashion subjects. Photographer Brendan Wixted leads the visual execution, with fashion styling provided by Dione Davis and hair styling by Jawara. The series features clean, graphic compositions that highlight intricate details—from sculptural hair silhouettes to precise manicured nail art. Additional contributions include manicure work by Dawn Sterling, ensuring a polished, editorial aesthetic throughout the collection.
Project Essence Magazine · Essence Magazine May 2026 Digital Covers
Essence Magazine continues its legacy of powerful storytelling with its May 2026 digital covers, a project that seamlessly blends high-fashion aesthetics with a poignant, theatrical sensibility. Captured through the lens of photographer Lelanie Foster, the editorial series leans into a sophisticated visual narrative that celebrates Black excellence and communal strength. The cover featuring Lena Waithe stands as a masterclass in portraiture; her thoughtful gaze and structured, understated attire are elevated by the warm, ornate backdrop, utilizing natural light to craft an intimate and grounded composition. This editorial approach extends to the ensemble imagery, where the cast—including Luke James, Jason Weaver, Hannaha Hall, Lena Waithe, Birgundi Baker, and Jacob Latimore—is framed against heavy, golden curtains on a wooden stage. The styling, curated by Fashion Editor Newheart Ohanian, balances avant-garde silhouettes with formal polish, reinforcing a sense of prestige and unity. With hair styling by Takisha Sturdivant-Drew, the project avoids the noise of trend-chasing, instead opting for a timeless, portrait-heavy focus that honors the individual charisma of its subjects. By prioritizing symmetrical compositions and directional light, the May 2026 covers feel like a definitive cultural moment, capturing a distinct energy that serves as a hallmark for modern magazine media while maintaining the classic, elevated editorial polish that Essence is known for.
Project Essence Magazine · The Chi Takes One Final Bow
In a poignant celebration of television history, Essence Magazine marks the conclusion of the acclaimed series The Chi with a sophisticated editorial campaign that captures the soul of its cast. Photographer Lelanie Foster masterfully utilizes natural light to ground the portraits in a warm, tactile aesthetic, moving between the grand, empty spaces of a theatrical auditorium and intimate, studio-style setups framed by draped curtains. Fashion Editor and Stylist Newheart Ohanian anchors the visual narrative through a highly curated, tonal color palette—ranging from rich mustard yellows and cream-colored tailoring to soft pinks—which creates a cohesive, elevated look that feels both timeless and grounded. The inclusion of key talent, including actor Lena Waithe, allows for a blend of formal group compositions and contemplative individual portraits that emphasize the cast's professional evolution. With hair styling by Takisha Sturdivant-Drew providing a polished, clean finish to the subjects, the imagery leans into a restrained, high-end editorial minimalism. By focusing on the interplay of light and texture, the project succeeds in portraying the actors with an aura of quiet authority, honoring the weight of the final bow. This series serves as a testament to the power of character-driven portrait photography in media and entertainment, perfectly balancing the warmth of the subjects with a disciplined, architectural composition that celebrates the legacy of the project.
Project Essence Magazine · Essence Magazine January/February 2025 Covers
Essence Magazine features athlete Sha'Carri Richardson for its January/February 2025 issue, captured in a series of editorial portraits. Photographed by Emmanuel Sanchez Monsalve, the project balances high-impact minimalism with polished, textured compositions. The covers employ a clean aesthetic, utilizing both bright white seamless backgrounds and deep red palettes to frame the athlete. Jean Dia directed the portraits, which feature fashion styling by Becky Akinyode, set design by Jenny Correa, and movement direction by Sigrid Lauren. Additional details include manicuring by Angie Aguirre, completing the visual direction for the media publication.
Project Essence Magazine · Essence Magazine March/April 2025 Covers
Essence Magazine presents its March/April 2025 Beauty Issue featuring Tyra Banks. The editorial imagery leans into a low-key aesthetic, utilizing dramatic chiaroscuro lighting to isolate the subject against a dark backdrop. Photographer Kenny Germé captures the portrait, which showcases a sculptural approach to hair styling alongside precise makeup artistry by Justin Henry. The session features styling by Edem Dossou and set design by Mariska Lowri, resulting in a polished composition that centers on texture and form.
Project Essence Magazine · Best of Beauty Awards
Essence Magazine spotlights its Best of Beauty Awards through a series of editorial portraits featuring models Amina Hassan and Rhaya Jacobs. Captured by photographer Vanessa Granda, the project leans into clean, studio-focused aesthetics to highlight detailed styling and beauty work. The series features structured fashion choices by stylist Sharifa Morris, paired with dewy makeup artistry by Raisa Flowers. The production utilizes high-key beauty light against a minimalist seamless backdrop, ensuring a precise and polished visual tone for the awards feature.
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