El Pais Icon Magazine

Jul 2026

For the latest spread in El Pais Icon Magazine, photographer Marcello Junior Dino and fashion editor Jorge Garcia Valero craft a compelling visual narrative that navigates the intersection of high-fashion editorial and raw, organic minimalism. Featuring model Esteban Monbaliu, the series masterfully oscillates between the stark, clinical precision of a neutral studio environment and the atmospheric, moody depths of a dense forest. This contrast allows for a sophisticated examination of contemporary tailoring, where structured pinstripe suits, leather bomber jackets, and textured knitwear serve as the primary focus. The technical execution relies heavily on natural light to emphasize the tactile quality of the fabrics, occasionally shifting into low-key or chiaroscuro lighting to introduce dramatic, contemplative shadows. With the expert support of hair stylist Leon Gorman and makeup artist Océane Sitbon, the aesthetic remains grounded yet avant-garde, utilizing deliberately tousled hair and textured styling to anchor the model’s contemplative presence. Whether set against the clean lines of a professional photo studio or the vibrant, unscripted backdrop of woodland foliage, the editorial achieves a cohesive sense of modern masculinity. This project exemplifies editorial portraiture at its most precise, prioritizing a refined color palette and deliberate composition to elevate each ensemble into a study of form, texture, and light.

Editorial, Editorial, Vertical, Vertical

Natural light, Natural light