- Date
- 23 DECEMBER 2024
- Author
- RED-EYE TEAM
- Image by
- ROSARIO REX DI SALVO
- Categories
- Fashion
PortrAIts: A Fusion of Innovation and Fashion – A Holiday Gift to Inspire
This holiday season, we’re dropping a fresh release of PortrAIts—a spotlight on rising fashion talents who are rewriting the rules. Their personal journeys collide with RED-EYE's cutting-edge lens, revealing passions, ambitions, and dreams that are nothing short of inspiring.
What makes this edition stand out? It’s the magic of merging human creativity with AI innovation. Through vibrant, in-depth chats, we uncover what drives these talents—then transform those stories into AI-generated portraits that truly capture their vibe.
PortrAIts blurs the lines between physical and digital, styling each talent in looks that reflect their identity and bringing them to life in both real and AI realms. Dive into the worlds of Edoardo, Haven, Lyvia K, Antanas, and many more. It’s a journey into creativity and tech!
EDOARDO
What do you love most about Milan, and how does the city influence your style?
I love the open-mindedness of Milan and the wide range of styles that you can find around the city, this city positively influences my style because it is as if it allows more freedom to express yourself with your outfits
How would you describe your approach to fashion, and which trends inspire you the most?
My approach to fashion is very personal and comes from within. I believe that how we dress is an extension of ourselves and our state of mind.
How do you think artificial intelligence could impact model casting and the representation of diversity in fashion?
Surely artificial intelligence if used rationally and in the right way can have a great positive impact on the world of fashion and make the work of producers even more unique and special.
If you could choose any designer, stylist, photographer, painter, or artist to have on a creative set, who would you invite and what project would you ask them to do with you?
If I could choose a brand to work with I would choose Louis Vuitton and I would love to model for one of their collections
If you could live in a famous painting or work of art, which one would you choose? How would you interact with that world?
“David and Goliath” by Daniele da Volterra, offers a universal lesson on the struggle against seemingly insurmountable difficulties and challenges. I would interact in this world with courage, boldness, and confidence in myself and my abilities, facing personal and professional challenges.
DUNJA SMITH
What do you love most about Milan, and how does the city influence your style?
What I love most about Milan is the area Brera. I enjoy walking through that neighborhood. The little streets, nice bars, and architecture never bore me. Not forget to mention all of the green in the city. Even through the many buildings, you still find a lot of green in Milan on buildings and parks throughout the city. The parks are nice to visit and relax when it is warm outside. I haven’t been long enough in Milan yet to say the city influences my style. I still wear and style my clothes how I always used to do.
How would you describe your approach to fashion, and which trends inspire you the most?
I have to say I don’t follow trends that much. I wear what I think is cool regardless it is a trend or not. I also think that trends lead to fast fashion. I prefer to mix and match my clothing or go vintage shopping.
How do you think artificial intelligence could impact model casting and the representation of diversity in fashion?
I think that AI will have a bad influence on the model industry. For example, I can’t imagine not doing a casting in real life, as your personality won’t come across well enough through an online call. Or being replaced, as a model, by an avatar.
If you could choose any designer, stylist, photographer, painter, or artist to have on a creative set, who would you invite and what project would you ask them to do with you?
I would choose YSL as a designer to work with. I love their feminine but powerful image. The project will be a campaign for huge billboards on the world's most famous buildings. Think about seeing yourself in Times Square in New York or the Opera in Paris. For me, that would be a dream come true.
If you could live in a famous painting or work of art, which one would you choose? How would you interact with that world?
Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh. I love nature and watching the stars go by at night. When I look at that painting, I imagine sitting on a bench with a friend and enjoying the view with some food and drinks, talking while looking at the beautiful stars.
ANTANAS
What do you love most about Milan, and how does the city influence your style?
What I love about Milan is the small café on every corner. I enjoy coffee very much and love the coffee culture here. As for Milan's influence on my fashion, the weather is much colder in Milan than in Barcelona so I have the freedom to feel more comfortable with more layers which has given me more possible options for my everyday outfits.
How would you describe your approach to fashion, and which trends inspire you the most?
I love jeans and everything that works well in an outfit with them. Most of my fashion inspiration comes from my family. For example, I always have Converse sneakers on, and I get that from my mom. I also like wearing leather jackets, just like my dad, my age. I feel stronger in them.
How do you think artificial intelligence could impact model casting and the representation of diversity in fashion?
Artificial intelligence could offer casting representatives a list of models most aligned with their needs. This cloud means that the models could reach a bigger number of clients and make the whole process easy. AI helps deal with big amounts of data and simplifies access.
If you could choose any designer, stylist, photographer, painter, or artist to have on a creative set, who would you invite and what project would you ask them to do with you?
Probably a photoshoot with Tim Walker as a photographer I always think that his pictures are super cool.
If you could live in a famous painting or work of art, which one would you choose? How would you interact with that world?
The artwork I would want to examine would be Campbell's Soup Cans. I would eat it with a spoon.
HAVEN
What do you love most about Milan, and how does the city influence your style?
In Milan, I love to sit at a park or cafe and people-watch. it’s hard for me to become bored. There’s always something to do or see. I find a lot of inspiration from the older generations' style and how they dress up vs my own.
How would you describe your approach to fashion, and which trends inspire you the most?
Last year I gave away everything in my closet that I felt I didn’t wear or need. I’m trying to keep my wardrobe clear and concise. What’s true for me, is I’ll wear it again and again. I’ve been really into elevated staple pieces for that reason.
How do you think artificial intelligence could impact model casting and the representation of diversity in fashion?
As long as you cast me and my AI persona... not some robot we’re good.
If you could choose any designer, stylist, photographer, painter, or artist to have on a creative set, who would you invite and what project would you ask them to do with you?
Nick Knight and Alexander McQueen ... Enrique Badulescu.
If you could live in a famous painting or work of art, which one would you choose? How would you interact with that world?
If I had to choose a famous painting it would be Claude Monet’s “Water Lily Pond.” I'm stuck in there you know, so it's got to feel dreamy.
LYVIA K
What do you love most about Milan, and how does the city influence your style?
The fact that you can walk everywhere with ease, watching the scenery of the Italian architecture that’s in front of us.
How would you describe your approach to fashion, and which trends inspire you the most?
I’m elementary, a good quality basic goes a long way to me compared to fast fashion trends.
How do you think artificial intelligence could impact model casting and the representation of diversity in fashion?
I think it’s a fun tool to use and create different projects that would not have been possible only with a model. Still, I don’t think it’s going to replace completely fashion models, since when people are shopping they want to see the movement of the clothes and how it fit on another human.
If you could choose any designer, stylist, photographer, painter, or artist to have on a creative set, who would you invite and what project would you ask them to do with you?
Dries Van Noten, doing a project where the emphasis is on the shoes, doing various poses to showcase them.
If you could live in a famous painting or work of art, which one would you choose? How would you interact with that world?
Any Claude Monet painting, but more specifically the "Water Lily Pond", a beautiful place where I could relax and enjoy the view and the scent of nature.
ILARIA G
What do you love most about Milan, and how does the city influence your style?
About Milan I love the fact you can grow professionally; compared to the other cities in Italy, I love Milan because it is more international, it’s very fast…
How would you describe your approach to fashion, and which trends inspire you the most?
I must thank my mother because she passed me a passion for the fashion world… I love to match my musical taste with fashion (I love rock music); also my cinema taste helped me in creating a character. For me, the important thing is to differ from the others.
How do you think artificial intelligence could impact model casting and the representation of diversity in fashion?
To be honest I am not a big supporter of AI; I'm more scared about the fact that we might give more importance to this flawless new version of us despite being the most human version of ourselves.
If you could choose any designer, stylist, photographer, painter, or artist to have on a creative set, who would you invite and what project would you ask them to do with you?
Jonathan Anderson, I loved the collection with Studio Ghibli and Luca Guadagnino’s collaboration too. I'd dream of creating a collection inspired by David Bowie’s world.
If you could live in a famous painting or work of art, which one would you choose? How would you interact with that world?
One of my favorite artists is Caravaggio for what he did with the light, for the study of the divine light; it’s very difficult to pick one of his works; but I would choose “Davide con la testa di Golia” or “L’Annunciazione”.
ILENIA G
What do you love most about Milan, and how does the city influence your style?
About Milan, I love the most the opportunities that this city can offer. I think it’s a difficult city, but full of surprises. Milan influences my style, I pay more attention to the details.
How would you describe your approach to fashion, and which trends inspire you the most?
I take inspiration from artists like David Bowie; so revolutionary as a musician but also as an artist. The 70s inspired my style too, but I love a lot also the punk rock, the gothic style, the Bauhaus, and the Cure. I also like dark colors as grey in different scales and some gothic accessories too. I also love 90s grunge a lot.
How do you think artificial intelligence could impact model casting and the representation of diversity in fashion?
I am not that keen on AI. I admit that it’s a big help in certain fields, but I’m scared about the disappearing of reality. I do not believe in a constant search for perfection; but in the search for beauty with all the differences and diversities.
If you could choose any designer, stylist, photographer, painter, or artist to have on a creative set, who would you invite and what project would you ask them to do with you?
Iggy Pop — he’s crazy! He opened the doors to punk rock. Just kidding! I love Vivienne Westwood for her history, her punk music background, and how she influenced and supported punk artists with her unique style. She also “rocked” against her time, as people judged her harshly because of her revolutionary fashion.
If you could live in a famous painting or work of art, which one would you choose? How would you interact with that world?
Dalì for the dream and the surreal atmosphere that surrounds him; I love the constant change of things; I love to surprise and to surprise myself, too.
MADO E
What do you love most about Milan, and how does the city influence your style?
I love Milan. The city is beautiful, the people are open-minded and non-judgmental, and there are many opportunities. I enjoy going out, meeting new people, and learning new ideas.
How would you describe your approach to fashion, and which trends inspire you the most?
I've always loved fashion. I feel like myself when I'm on the runway or set. I follow everything and like keeping up with new trends, and studying them.
How do you think artificial intelligence could impact model casting and the representation of diversity in fashion?
It looks great on social media, and it would be a good support for the castings in the future.
If you could choose any designer, stylist, photographer, painter, or artist to have on a creative set, who would you invite and what project would you ask them to do with you?
As an artist, I would choose Naomi because her confidence has always inspired me. I would select Roversi Paolo as a photographer because I love his work.
If you could live in a famous painting or work of art, which one would you choose? How would you interact with that world?
I would choose the painter Picasso. It’s beautiful to be painted for who I am, with all my flaws and beauty, because that makes me beautiful.
VENDELA
What do you love most about Milan, and how does the city influence your style?
What I love most about Milan is how it’s filled with inspiration everywhere you go. When you walk around the streets, you're constantly absorbing new impressions—from the chic boutiques on every street to the unique second-hand stores. There's always something that catches your eye and sparks your creativity when it comes to fashion. Additionally, working in the fashion industry here, I get the chance to meet so many incredibly creative people, designers, stylists, and photographers, who constantly inspire me. I feel that when I work, on every set, I can always learn something new about fashion, styling, trends etc.
How would you describe your approach to fashion, and which trends inspire you the most?
My approach to fashion is all about feeling confident and comfortable in what I wear. I enjoy experimenting with patterns, accessories, and contrasts to create looks that feel simple yet authentic. One of my go-to outfits is a pair of baggy jeans paired with a fitted top as the base. I like to add a vintage leather jacket on top to give the outfit a bit of edge, and I always finish it with a purse and a pair of sunglasses to tie everything together. I’m inspired by how fashion can blend the old and new and how it’s constantly evolving. I appreciate trends that allow me to merge different textures, shapes, and eras, creating a look that feels unique to me. Whether it’s minimalist details or bold accessories, I love the way fashion can make a statement without saying a word.
How do you think artificial intelligence could impact model casting and the representation of diversity in fashion?
Artificial intelligence has the potential to significantly impact model casting and the representation of diversity in fashion. One of the key benefits is that AI could help remove unconscious bias by creating more inclusive and accurate casting processes. It could identify models from all backgrounds, body types, and ethnicities, ensuring that a broader spectrum of beauty is represented in campaigns. AI could also assist in understanding and predicting trends in diversity, making it easier for brands to create more inclusive and representative campaigns. However, AI must be used as a tool to complement human creativity and empathy, rather than replace it.
If you could choose any designer, stylist, photographer, painter, or artist to have on a creative set, who would you invite and what project would you ask them to do with you?
I would choose Mario Sorrenti for his ability to capture emotion and intimacy through his cinematic photography. His work has a raw, natural energy that truly brings moments to life, and I love how he plays with light and shadows to create such a powerful mood. If I could collaborate with him, I would love for Mario to capture me in my essence, where the images go beyond just fashion and tell a story. I want each shot to convey a feeling, capture the energy of the moment, and bring out something deeper. It would be amazing if the pictures could speak for themselves, the expression in the photo, the surroundings, and the clothes all come together to create a narrative that feels raw and emotional.
If you could live in a famous painting or work of art, which one would you choose? How would you interact with that world?
I would choose Georges Seurat’s "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte." The scene feels incredibly peaceful and timeless. There’s a sense of calm in the way everyone is quietly enjoying their little moments in the sun, yet they’re all part of the same shared space. It’s the perfect depiction of humanity—how we all live in the same world, yet each of us leads our own life with our thoughts, experiences, and joys. If I were part of this scene, I’d want to be one of the people sitting on the grass, fully immersed in the beauty of the environment but also fascinated by the diverse personalities around me. It’s the kind of world where you can just take in the moment, enjoy nature’s peace, and appreciate the quiet harmony between people. The painting embodies how life can be serene and beautiful, with small connections made even in a world full of different stories.
Credits:
AI-Generated Text, Edited by Gloria Maria Cappelletti, Creative Director and Editor in Chief
Photography by Rosario Rex Di Salvo, shot at SUPERSTUDIO13
Fashion Director: Giorgia Imbrenda
Editorial Director: Daniel Face
Features Editor: Eleonora Pirisi
3D Artwork: @abuon.render
Hair Stylists: Maria Pia Saragnese (@mariapia_saragnese), Marica (@hair.marica)
Makeup Artists: Raffaella Fiore (@raffaellafiore.artist), Nicoletta Tonti (@nicolettatonti)
Nails Designer: Lidia Elizabeth (@lidrose_)
Ph. Assistant 1: Giuseppe Diaferia (@giuseppe.diaferia)
Stylist Assistants: Augusta Carter (@commedeschamour), Asia Nanti (@asianantist)
Models:
Edos: (@_.edos)
Mado from Boom Models: (@madoebamba)
Antanas Tursa from Boom Models: (@antanaslive)
Ilenia Gobbato from Manifesto Models: (@ilenia.gobbato)
Ilaria Gobbato from Manifesto Models: (@___ilariagobbato)
Rayanne Anet from Yu Agency: (@rayanneanet)
Dunja Smit from ABC Models Milan: (@dunja.smit)
Vendela Halvorsen from ABC Models Milan: (@vendelahalvorsen)
Agencies:
Boom Models: (@boommodels)
Manifesto Models: (@manifestomodels)
Yu Agency: (@yuagency_)
ABC Models Milan: (@abcmodelsmilan_official)
Special Thanks to all the wonderful team at @SUPERSTUDIO13 and @EPHOTO STUDIO