Financial Times - HTSI Magazine

Feb 2026

For the latest spread in Financial Times HTSI Magazine, photographer Tess Ayano captures Japanese actress Suzu Hirose in a series of striking portraits that redefine the boundaries of contemporary fashion editorial. Moving beyond conventional celebrity portraiture, the project leans into a narrative of tactile complexity, juxtaposing Hirose's minimalist composure against a backdrop of rich, avant-garde textures. Under the discerning eye of fashion editor and stylist Reina Ogawa Clarke, the editorial work utilizes a muted sage and olive-green studio palette to anchor the visual storytelling, allowing the interplay of materials—ranging from intricate, three-dimensional fabric appliqué and anatomical floral motifs to delicate lace gloves and structured leather detailing—to take center stage. By balancing these elaborate, sculptural garments with a clean, deliberate approach to composition, the team creates a sophisticated tension that remains grounded. Throughout the series, the lighting shifts seamlessly between soft, even natural light and sharp studio strobe, emphasizing the depth of each ensemble. This project represents a masterclass in editorial precision, where every stylistic choice serves to highlight the subject's expressive range. The result is a refined collection of images that feels both classic in its execution and daring in its material exploration, perfectly embodying the high-end aesthetic synonymous with the publication while showcasing a deeply curated fusion of high fashion and artistic portraiture.

Editorial, Vertical, Vertical

Natural light, Natural light

Magazines, Media & Entertainment