HERO USA

Apr 2026

In this evocative series for HERO USA, siblings and professional ice dancers Alex and Maia Shibutani are captured through the lens of photographer Daria Kobayashi Ritch. Moving beyond traditional sports photography, the campaign leans into an editorial minimalism that highlights the duo’s athletic precision through a sophisticated fashion lens. With creative styling by Peghah Maleknejad and thoughtful grooming by makeup artist Sandy Ganzer, the imagery traverses diverse environments, shifting from the cool, high-key atmosphere of an indoor ice rink to the textured, sun-drenched surfaces of urban masonry. The collection masterfully experiments with light, utilizing low-key chiaroscuro techniques to heighten the drama of a performance lift, while elsewhere employing the sharp, direct aesthetic of flash photography to freeze mid-motion intensity with a distinct film grain. Whether set against the vast, smooth expanse of the ice or confined within the intimate, shadowed corners of a locker room, the project consistently captures the fluid grace of the skaters. Through these varied settings, the collaboration successfully channels a cinematic sensibility that elevates the pair’s technical mastery into a broader lifestyle narrative, ensuring the project feels as much like a high-fashion editorial as it does a tribute to their enduring skating legacy.

Lifestyle, Editorial, Vertical, Vertical, Vertical

Natural light