Dapper Dan Magazine

Apr 2026

For Dapper Dan Magazine, the Shakespeare 1609 project serves as a masterclass in conceptual fashion editorial, blending historical literary references with a contemporary, minimalist lens. Photographer Alvaro Beamud Cortes creates a moody, monochromatic visual narrative that channels the theatrical weight of Elizabethan drama into modern menswear. Throughout the series, model Vasko Luyckx is cast as a brooding, scholarly figure, moving through spare dressing room and studio settings that emphasize raw textures, weathered walls, and clean architectural lines. The execution leans into high-contrast chiaroscuro lighting and cinematic framing, allowing the intricate details of structured ruff collars, sequined jackets, and ornate crowns to command the frame. Supported by the precise hair styling of Yuri Napolitano and the editorial makeup artistry of Elena Bettanello, the series feels both timeless and pointedly avant-garde. The project feels like a quiet exploration of creative introspection, utilizing analogue film techniques and natural light to heighten the tension between the subject and his props, such as the evocative recurring motif of a human skull. This collection avoids the clutter of standard fashion spreads, opting instead for a rigorous, stylized aesthetic that highlights the tactile interplay between costume and skin, solidifying its place as a compelling entry in contemporary portraiture.

Editorial, Vertical, Vertical

Natural light, Natural light