InStyle U.S.

Jan 2026

In The Art of Playing ALAN CUMMING, InStyle U.S. delivers a masterclass in editorial portraiture, framing the multihyphenate performer through the conceptual lens of high-stakes strategy and theatrical artifice. Photographer Eric Michael Roy captures Cumming as a shape-shifting protagonist, leaning into a series of cinematic tableaus that utilize the chessboard as both a literal prop and a metaphorical device for the actor's mercurial talent. The aesthetic trajectory of the shoot ranges from low-key chiaroscuro studies to high-energy captures featuring surreal, suspended chess pieces, effectively blurring the line between the subject and his reflection. Central to this visual narrative is the meticulous styling by fashion editors Kevin Huynh and Sam Spector, who curate a wardrobe of vibrant red satin capes, architectural black lace headdresses, and metallic jacquard jackets. This visual texture is amplified by set designer Amy Jo Diaz, whose minimalist studio environments—often employing neutral backdrops and stark floor patterns—ensure that the focus remains anchored on Cumming's expressive performance. Utilizing a dynamic mix of studio strobe lighting and dramatic natural light, the project reads as an intimate, sophisticated meditation on performance itself. By oscillating between playful, mischievous vignettes and stoic, regal silhouettes, the team creates a compelling archive that celebrates the artistry inherent in Cumming's enduring, chameleonic career within the landscape of modern media and entertainment.

Vertical, Editorial, Editorial

Studio strobe, Natural light

Magazines, Media & Entertainment