Numero Netherlands
Behind
Apr 2026
In the latest editorial feature for Numero Netherlands, titled Behind, photographer Hicham Riad explores the intersection of intimacy and high-fashion aesthetics. Through a series of carefully curated compositions, the project captures model Em Verleun in an exploration of texture, form, and light. The work leans into a sophisticated editorial style, utilizing high-key lighting for ethereal portraits while simultaneously employing low-key chiaroscuro techniques to emphasize sharp architectural lines and structural garment details. Riad masterfully balances macro-level beauty shots—focusing on graphic eyeliner and raw skin texture—with broader lifestyle captures that reveal the candid, behind-the-scenes nature of a professional fashion shoot. This juxtaposition of the polished and the process-oriented provides a rare, tactile perspective on the industry, grounding the luxury fashion houses aesthetic in human reality. By weaving together monochromatic portraits with selective color highlights in jewelry and accessories, the project creates a cohesive visual narrative that feels both cinematic and deeply grounded. Ultimately, Behind functions as a nuanced study in contrast, where minimalist styling meets bold, illustrative graphics, resulting in a body of work that is as much a testament to the artistry of creative preparation as it is to the final, glossy image. The series succeeds by respecting the complexity of its subjects, capturing the quiet moments that occur right before the camera lens defines the final frame.
Editorial, Vertical
Natural light
Luxury Fashion Houses, Fashion
