Esquire China

Jul 2026

For Esquire China, Local Heroes presents a compelling fusion of sport and high-fashion editorial. The campaign transcends traditional boundaries, repositioning athletic performance gear through a lens of curated complexity. Photographer Xiuyu Chang captures a series of dynamic portraits that juxtapose the grit of urban environments—from paved city crosswalks and rusted gates to structured parking garages—against the soft, rhythmic interplay of natural light. Fashion editor and stylist Wei Mao masterfully integrates disparate textures, pairing utilitarian soccer jerseys and performance footwear with unexpected elements like delicate lace, quilted construction, and structural drapery. This layering creates a sophisticated tension, where the athleticism of the models, including Guo Jike, Lekan Bakare, and Zhichuan Hu, is elevated by avant-garde silhouettes. The series leans into editorial minimalism while utilizing high-speed techniques and classic black and white portraiture to emphasize the physicality of movement. Whether through the crisp, dappled shadows of a park setting or the clean, focused geometry of a studio session, the project treats soccer balls and team kits as sculptural motifs. By grounding this stylized athleticism in both raw urban life and curated, formal compositions, the collective team creates a narrative that feels both documentary in its spirit and undeniably elevated, celebrating a modern, fashion-forward approach to contemporary sport culture.

Editorial, Lifestyle, Lifestyle

Natural light