Financial Times - HTSI Magazine

Jul 2026

The Work Out project for Financial Times HTSI Magazine presents a masterclass in high-end editorial fashion, skillfully blurring the lines between athletic performance and luxury aesthetic. Through a series of sharp, deliberate studio compositions, the team recontextualizes sporting equipment—ranging from dirt bikes and surfboards to skateboards and cycling gear—as high-fashion accessories. Photographer Lukasz Pukowiec captures the model, Mathilda Gvarliani, with a precision that leans into minimalist energy, utilizing consistent studio strobe lighting to ensure every texture, from voluminous faux-fur scarves to crisp tailored shirting, remains in razor-sharp focus. Under the expert eye of stylist Clare Richardson, the wardrobe choices effectively oscillate between monochromatic athletic wear and vibrant, embellished statement pieces, resulting in a cohesive narrative that feels both playful and meticulously curated. The visual language here is rooted in editorial minimalism, where the stark, clean backgrounds force an unrelenting focus on the interaction between the subject, the gear, and the bold styling. With nuanced beauty direction from hair stylist Kota Suizu and makeup artist Lynsey Alexander, the project successfully elevates activewear to a couture status, transforming the traditional fitness motif into a sophisticated, high-fashion statement. This series stands as a testament to the power of deliberate creative direction in evolving fashion editorial tropes into fresh, modern visual territories that feel both grounded and aspirational.

Editorial, Vertical

Studio strobe