Dolce & Gabbana

Mar 2025

For the Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2025 men's ad campaign, creative vision meets the raw, unfiltered aesthetic of the darkroom. Under the creative direction of Fabien Baron, the campaign leans into a monochromatic, reportage-style narrative that feels both timeless and urgent. Captured by photographer Steven Meisel, the imagery utilizes a distinct contact-sheet aesthetic, where visible frame borders and film strip sequences evoke the candid essence of 35mm film. The project, firmly rooted in the luxury fashion sector, embraces a cinematic low-key lighting approach, employing deep chiaroscuro to heighten the precision of the brand's sharp tailoring and intricate fabric textures. Model Kit Butler anchors the visuals, projecting a refined, classic masculinity against minimalist studio sets adorned with props like vintage rotary telephones. The synergy of Karl Templer’s styling, Guido Palau’s grooming, and Pat McGrath’s artistry creates a cohesive portrait of modern elegance. By stripping away color, the campaign focuses intensely on silhouette and form, elevating the commercial portraits into high-art editorial photography. This series serves as a masterclass in visual storytelling, where the deliberate use of analogue techniques transforms standard fashion product shots into a sophisticated, filmic experience that captures the contemplative posture of a man in motion. Each frame functions as part of a larger, carefully curated dialogue between tradition and contemporary style.

Editorial, Vertical, Cinematic

Analogue / film, Low-key / chiaroscuro, 35mm film

Luxury Fashion Houses, Fashion