GQ Italia online

Jun 2026

In the latest editorial project for GQ Italia online, titled FreshMula, photographer Simone Paccini delivers a masterclass in monochromatic visual storytelling, stripping away the distraction of color to focus entirely on the architectural geometry of contemporary luxury fashion. The series serves as a powerful testament to the impact of silhouette and texture, utilizing a high-contrast aesthetic that leans into the dramatic potential of chiaroscuro lighting. By documenting formal menswear—specifically sharp-tailored tuxedo jackets paired with exaggerated, wide-pointed white collars—Paccini creates a visual dialogue between traditional tailoring and avant-garde styling. The imagery employs a deliberate low-key approach, allowing the interplay of light and shadow to emphasize intricate details like silver metallic alphabet charms on a silk tie and the voluminous, sculptural quality of an afro hairstyle. Every frame feels both intimate and cinematic, anchored by the subject's poised, intentional gestures. Through a sophisticated use of editorial minimalism, the project elevates standard portraiture into a rhythmic study of form. The result is a series of arresting black and white portraits that celebrate the timeless elegance of classic menswear while pushing the boundaries of modern fashion photography. Paccini successfully captures the tension between soft, natural skin textures and the rigid, razor-sharp lines of the high-fashion garments, presenting a cohesive, striking vision of style that feels both timeless and entirely of the current moment.

Editorial, Vertical

Low-key / chiaroscuro

Luxury Fashion Houses, Fashion