For Issue 09 of Carnale Room, titled Backwards, the publication leans into a provocative dialogue between minimalist graphic design and high-end editorial fashion photography. Under the creative direction of Augusto Arduini, the project presents a series of covers that challenge traditional media formats through bold, inverted typography and stark, saturated color fields. The visual identity of the issue is driven by a collaborative effort involving photographers Alice Rosati, Giampaolo Sgura, and Isabelle Wenzel, whose distinct lenses bridge the gap between commercial polish and avant-garde portraiture. Throughout the series, the imagery captures a deliberate tension between the human form and geometric rigidity, employing varied techniques such as studio strobe lighting for high-contrast clarity and soft natural light to highlight textile textures like ribbed cotton and black leather. Fashion editor Guillem Chanza ensures that each styling choice—from voluminous tulle ruffles to clean-lined pinstripes—acts as a narrative anchor, while makeup artist Hind Sousan maintains a refined aesthetic that keeps the focus on form and composition. By stripping away environmental context and favoring a graphic, editorial minimalism, the covers function as conceptual art objects. The result is a cohesive, high-impact project that redefines the magazine cover as a space for both typographic experimentation and the celebration of physical texture, successfully translating the issue's backwards-looking theme into a forward-thinking visual language.
