V Magazine

Jul 2025

In Fellini Underground, a masterclass in fashion editorial photography for V Magazine, photographer Steven Klein channels the surrealist, dreamlike essence of classic Italian cinema through a contemporary lens. The project leans into a highly stylized aesthetic that feels less like a traditional fashion shoot and more like a fever dream unfolding on a nocturnal city street. By leveraging live-action technique and dramatic hard light, Klein transforms his subjects into figures of artifice and intrigue, bolstered by the visionary collaboration of fashion editor Nicola Formichetti. The visual language is defined by a bold, saturated palette—highlighted by vibrant, sculptural hairstyles crafted by Akki Shirakawa and intense, precise makeup artistry from the legendary Pat McGrath and Jenna Kuchera. These elements create a theatrical atmosphere that blurs the lines between reality and performance, as models Amelia Gray, Daiane Sodre, and Delilah Belle become conduits for a narrative that feels both vintage and futuristic. Incorporating subtle motion graphics and soft light portraiture, the editorial maintains a consistent, moody intensity throughout. This project stands as a testament to the power of high-concept creative production, where intricate styling and masterful lighting design coalesce to elevate standard editorial portraiture into a sophisticated, cinematic experience that commands attention through its precise, surrealist execution.

Editorial

Photography