The Face China

Jun 2026

In the latest editorial campaign for The Face China, titled we hug, we hold, the magazine leans into a surrealist exploration of form and identity through the lens of photographer Jialing Hu. The project serves as a masterclass in fashion portraiture, utilizing a combination of high-key studio strobe lighting and natural light to emphasize the architectural nature of the garments and the subjects. By centering on model Malte Carlsson, the series highlights an androgynous aesthetic that balances raw, intense gazes with highly structured, avant-garde silhouettes. The visual narrative is defined by intentional juxtaposition, where voluminous faux-fur accessories and metallic hardware clash with minimalist backgrounds, creating a stark, high-contrast dialogue between the subject and the frame. Whether capturing candid moments on European city streets or executing precise, symmetrical studio poses with white doves, the project maintains a clean, refined editorial minimalism that allows the textures of the clothing—from puff-sleeve stripes to intricate corsetry—to take center stage. Through the recurring motif of the self-hugging pose and the sculptural, flat-top hair styling, the collection transcends traditional fashion photography to function as a visual study of vulnerability and strength. This body of work underscores the publication's commitment to cutting-edge design, effectively blending high-fashion sensibilities with a sophisticated, contemporary portrait approach that keeps the viewer fixed on every deliberate detail.

Editorial, Vertical

Studio strobe