Financial Times - HTSI Magazine

Aug 2026

With the latest issue of Financial Times HTSI Magazine, the publication masterfully leans into the optimistic spirit of the season through a striking editorial feature titled Brighter Days. The cover story captures a sophisticated approach to contemporary menswear, moving beyond traditional austerity to embrace a palette of vibrant hues and tactile fabrics. Photographer Rodrigo Carmuega utilizes a crisp beauty light and a clean studio aesthetic to isolate the garments, ensuring that the interplay between the orange leather jacket, plaid tailoring, and corduroy textures remains the focal point. This live-action technique creates a sharp, high-contrast look that bridges the gap between classic editorial polish and modern lifestyle photography. Stylist Aylin Bayhan achieves a nuanced balance in the layered garments, while hair by Takuya Uchiyama and grooming by Crystabel Efemena Riley maintain a clean, refined silhouette for the models. By blending precise casting choices with a deliberate color narrative, the production offers a refreshing departure from standard industry visuals. The result is an evocative piece of media that proves how intentional styling and rigorous technical lighting can transform even the most familiar menswear tropes into a compelling, trend-forward statement. This project stands as a testament to the power of collaborative visual storytelling within the competitive landscape of premium print journalism, delivering a cohesive aesthetic that feels both timely and enduringly elegant.

Editorial, Lifestyle, Clean

Live-action Technique, Beauty Light

Magazines, Media & Entertainment