Variety Magazine
Variety Magazine's authoritative editorial portraiture across media and entertainment
Featured Variety Magazine projects
This week's top Variety Magazine projects, carefully handpicked by Visie's expert curators, showcase the best in style and innovation.
Project Variety Magazine · WHO DO YOU BELIEVE
Variety Magazine presents its 'Who Do You Believe' feature, an editorial portrait series documenting an ensemble cast of actors. The collection centers on a series of group and individual character studies, utilizing clean, polished art direction to highlight the subjects. Photographed by Xavi Gordo, the imagery blends indoor studio sessions with open-air terrace setups. The series leans into a neutral color palette, featuring structured tailoring and minimal silhouettes. Key contributors include actors Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, Chloë Sevigny, and Julia Roberts, all styled in coordinated, high-contrast attire. The work emphasizes soft light and editorial typography across its various vertical layouts.
Project Variety Magazine · Tate McRae
Variety Magazine captures the electric energy of the entertainment industry in its latest Power of Young Hollywood cover feature, centering on the multifaceted musician and performer Tate McRae. This project serves as a masterclass in editorial portraiture, deftly balancing high-fashion sensibility with a grounded, approachable aesthetic. Photographed by David Roemer, the imagery leans into a clean, studio-based composition that elevates the subject against a stark, minimalist backdrop. The visual narrative relies on the interplay of light, utilizing studio strobe combined with directional illumination from a vintage-style lamp to craft soft, intentional shadows that define the frame. Fashion editor and stylist Lucy Gaston rounds out the sophisticated look with a deliberate selection of textures, while set designer Jacob Burstein ensures the environment remains focused and uncluttered, allowing McRae's presence to anchor the commercial appeal of the piece. With hair styling by Evanie Frausto and makeup by Kennedy, the aesthetic execution highlights the nuanced intersection of lifestyle branding and celebrity portraiture. By successfully blending these professional disciplines, the magazine delivers a polished visual statement that resonates with a younger demographic while maintaining the publication’s established authority in the media and entertainment landscape. This project exemplifies how intentional art direction transforms a standard studio shoot into a compelling, market-defining editorial spread.
Project Variety Magazine · Power of Women UK
Variety Magazine delivers a sophisticated exploration of influence with their Power of Women UK series, a landmark magazine feature that celebrates the industry leaders shaping today's creative landscape. Captured through the lens of photographer Zoe McConnell, the project leans into editorial minimalism, balancing high-fashion aesthetics with a sense of grounded, intimate humanity. The series spotlights powerhouse talents such as Cynthia Erivo, Suki Waterhouse, and Emilia Clarke, utilizing a mix of medium format photography and carefully balanced studio strobe lighting to elevate each portrait. Whether set against the ornate backdrop of classic European architecture or refined, texture-rich interior spaces, these images favor natural light to define the mood. Stylists including Emma Jade Morrison, Jason Bolden, and Lisa Jarvis curate each ensemble to reflect individual personality, ranging from sculptural, oversized silhouettes to elegant satin drapes. With expert grooming contributions from stylists like Alex Brownsell and makeup artists such as Joy Adenuga and Naoko Scintu, the visual narrative remains cohesive yet distinct for every subject. By integrating cinematographic depth with an editorial approach, the project channels a timeless quality that captures the subjects in a state of calm, composed authority. The resulting collection is more than a standard portrait series; it is a polished visual essay that anchors Variety firmly at the intersection of high-end media and celebrity portraiture.
Project Variety Magazine · Milly Alcock's Supergirl Interview
Variety Magazine captures the meteoric rise of Milly Alcock in a recent cover feature that masterfully blends high-fashion sensibilities with raw, industrial grit. This editorial portrait series showcases the actor through a series of dynamic, character-driven compositions that lean into a sharp, contemporary aesthetic. Photographer Nino Muñoz employs natural light throughout, creating a consistent visual language that elevates the unfinished studio and office environments into a stage for modern storytelling. With the keen styling eye of Oretta Corbelli, Alcock navigates between structured, avant-garde silhouettes—such as oversized leather pieces and vibrant, flowing gowns—and playful, textured knitwear. The project succeeds by juxtaposing the softness of Alcock’s presence against the hardness of exposed concrete, metal luggage trolleys, and stacks of shipping boxes, effectively mirroring the intersection of Hollywood glamour and the day-to-day reality of an ascending star. Expertly balanced by hair stylist Jordan M and makeup artist Misha Shahzada, the aesthetic remains focused and precise. By integrating bold typography and utilizing high-speed, freeze-action techniques, the editorial feels both spontaneous and meticulously curated. This project serves as a compelling masterclass in magazine portraiture, proving that even within a utilitarian industrial backdrop, authentic personality and high-concept fashion can create an indelible, lasting impact that defines the current media and entertainment landscape.
Project Variety Magazine · Javier Bardem
In this sophisticated editorial portrait series for Variety, photographer Xavi Gordo captures the multifaceted screen presence of actor Javier Bardem through a lens of quiet intensity and timeless refinement. Moving between formal elegance and candid accessibility, the imagery spans a range of settings that feel both cinematic and intimate. Whether Bardem is standing on a grand white stone staircase in a sharp tuxedo or reclining in a sun-drenched living space, the project leans into a clean, minimalist aesthetic that allows the subject to command the frame. Styling by Alex Badia complements the diverse moods of the shoot, transitioning seamlessly from tailored black-tie attire to textured leather jackets, while grooming by Pablo Iglesias maintains a polished, authentic finish that emphasizes Bardem’s distinct facial features. The visual narrative relies heavily on natural light to carve out form and shadow, particularly in the striking high-contrast black and white portraits that utilize low-key chiaroscuro techniques to heighten the sense of drama. By blending traditional magazine editorial conventions with a cinematic sensibility, this project effectively showcases the balance between the actor's public stature and his relatable, composed off-screen personality. The result is a cohesive collection of portraits that feels both grounded and aspirational, highlighting the versatility required of major media and entertainment features today while ensuring the focus remains squarely on the subject's enduring, magnetic performance.
Project Variety Magazine · Variety Magazine 12/04/2024 Cover
Variety Magazine features Charli XCX as the cover subject for the December 4, 2024 issue. The editorial portrait series, captured by photographer Agata Serge, leans into a clean, minimalist aesthetic with soft, directional lighting that emphasizes natural skin textures and garment details. The feature centers on a series of studio portraits showcasing tactile fashion, ranging from sheer ruffled dresses to voluminous textured outerwear. Fashion editor and stylist Chris Horan leads the visual direction, complemented by natural hair styling from Matt Benns, makeup by Yasmin Istanbouli, and manicures by Honey.
Project Variety Magazine · Variety Magazine Actors on Actors December 2024 Covers
Variety Magazine presents its December 2024 Actors on Actors cover series, a collection of editorial portraits captured by photographer Alexi Lubomirski. Featuring industry talent including Zendaya, Nicole Kidman, Ryan Reynolds, Andrew Garfield, Angelina Jolie, and Cynthia Erivo, the project captures candid interactions within industrial and studio environments. The aesthetic leans into a clean, vertical editorial style, utilizing natural light and atmospheric haze to frame subjects like Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez. Supporting the production, fashion stylist Mimi Cuttrell, hair stylist Gabor Kerekes, makeup artist Michael Anthony, and set designer Gille Mills collaborated to maintain a consistent, polished visual language across the varying locations.
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