Grazia Netherlands

Apr 2026

Grazia Netherlands latest editorial series, Cool Girl, serves as a masterclass in modern beauty photography, stripping away extraneous noise to focus on the interplay between skin texture, bold pigment, and elevated styling. Through a sequence of intimate, eye-level portraits, photographer Ekin Can Bayrakdar captures a distinct sense of composed energy. The series leans into a minimalist aesthetic, utilizing clean off-white studio backdrops that allow the high-fashion elements—ranging from vibrant neon-striped knitwear to striking metallic blue eyeshadow—to take center stage. By alternating between precise studio strobe setups and diffused natural light, the execution highlights the subject's features with clinical yet soft precision. The styling choices, characterized by a mix of textures from cable-knit sweaters to shimmering cosmetic applications, underscore the narrative of the modern, effortless muse. These editorial portraits function as both a showcase of contemporary makeup trends and a study in composition, where the tension between a neutral expression and high-contrast color choices creates a compelling visual dialogue. Each frame, marked by its sharp focus and deliberate framing, reinforces the project as a definitive statement on the power of the close-up portrait in the fashion industry today. Through this focused lens, the project elevates simple beauty photography into a sophisticated editorial expression that feels both timeless and sharp, emphasizing the intersection of precise grooming and modern wardrobe staples.

Editorial, Vertical

Natural light, Studio strobe