In the latest editorial project for Fantastic Man titled Fakemink, photographer Alasdair McLellan masterfully captures the intersection of suburban ennui and high-fashion sensibility. Under the vision of creative director Jop van Bennekom, the series leans into an aesthetic of raw, unfiltered intimacy, effectively blurring the lines between staged editorial portraiture and candid, unscripted lifestyle documentation. The imagery features the performer Fakemink as the central subject, whose presence is anchored by fashion editor and stylist Alice Goddard’s choice of layered textures, from vibrant cable-knit sweater vests to classic tweed blazers. The visual narrative utilizes a diverse range of technical approaches, including the deliberate use of analogue film and crisp studio strobe lighting, to create a textured, nostalgic quality that feels both contemporary and timeless. Set designer Phoebe Shakespeare contributes to the series' distinct character, infusing the backgrounds with personal, cluttered details—like festive wreaths and pop-culture ephemera—that ground the portraiture in a recognizable, human reality. By moving between the high-contrast drama of black and white cinematic compositions and the saturated, direct-flash warmth of domestic interiors, McLellan frames the subject against a backdrop of modern masculinity that feels refreshing, candid, and grounded. This collection serves as a refined exploration of style, blending technical precision with a relaxed, almost voyeuristic perspective that defines the iconic Fantastic Man editorial legacy.
