Esquire UK: The Shapeshifter

Brand

Esquire UK

Date

Nov 2026

Description

Esquire UK presents The Shapeshifter, an editorial feature highlighting actor Chiwetel Ejiofor. The series leans into a high-contrast aesthetic, utilizing monochrome and warm palettes to explore texture and form through a series of conceptual studio portraits. Photographed by Nick Thompson, the project incorporates analogue film techniques, with many frames featuring visible film borders and technical markings that emphasize the medium's raw materiality. Fashion editor and stylist Rudy Simba Betty curates the wardrobe, featuring structured outerwear and tailored pieces that anchor the subject within the clean, often minimal, studio environment. The series draws on experimental compositions, including diptychs and shattered print effects, to frame the subject's performance.

Style

Editorial, Vertical, Monochrome

Techniques

Analogue / film

Industries

Magazines

Color

Jet Black

Pure White

Context

Editorial