Behind the Image is an ongoing MODELS.com series taking a more personal look at both established and emerging creative talent.
Giovanni Dario Laudicina by Kingsley Ifill | Image courtesy of MA + Group
Giovanni Dario Laudicina, Stylist
Hometown: Marsala, Sicily
Based: Paris, France
Representation: MA + Group
How would you describe your work, and what’s your trademark?
Delicate and subtle — I try to give an emotional approach to clothes. I like how clothes and styling can reveal something intimate about the character, subtly revealing aspects of the person without shouting it.
How did you first discover your passion for styling, and what led you specifically into the world of styling?
I have never been a fanatic and still am not. I like clothes a lot. I started styling by emulating a close friend of mine. We were very close, and as often happens, people influence each other.
What other jobs have you had?
I started as a styling assistant for different stylists in Italy. Then I moved to Paris, where I collaborated with Vogue Hommes as a fashion editor for seven years.
What inspires your creative process and influences your artistic vision?
It can be a bit of everything, especially pictures or specific items. I get inspired by imaginary stories I create in my mind while walking and listening to music. In daily life, I get very inspired by my friend Jordan Robson. His style is quite extreme, and I like to reinterpret it by ‘minimalizing’ it.
Can you share your experience collaborating with Officine Générale, as you have consistently worked with the brand?
What I really liked about the brand was that everything in the show would be in store. I enjoyed collaborating to create a collection that is finalized for customers. Combining storytelling, fashion statements, and a commercial approach all at the same time is the subtle work that I really enjoy.
What have you watched/heard/read lately that has inspired you?
I just came out of a fashion show and got inspired by the back of a look from the show. I’m thinking now about working on a project focused on the back of the looks, exploring what the backside of fashion could mean and how you can translate it into a picture.
What have been the biggest challenges you have faced professionally?
Stress and “political strategies”
Who do you think is one to watch?
Julien Martinez Leclerc.
Selected Work
Giorgio Armani by Nikolai von Bismarck | Image courtesy of MA + Group
U la Repubblica June 2024 Debut Cover
This is my first cover as fashion director for U la Repubblica, featuring the legendary Giorgio Armani, the king of Milan.
Leon Dame & Felix Cheong-Macleod by Amit | Image courtesy of MA + Group
Anatomy Of A Gesture
This story showcases my passion for relaxed tailoring.
Kit Butler by Tom Johnson| Image courtesy of MA + Group
Beach Games
I adore Tom. Despite what people might think of me, I love silly times on set. This trip was wild and hilarious, and Tom’s energy was fantastic. We also brought Kit Butler and his childhood friends for the casting, creatimng a wonderful atmosphere. I believe this is one of the stories other magazines and brands have frequently requested me to replicate.
Parker Van Noord & Jordan Barrett by Brett Lloyd | Image courtesy of MA + Group
It Started in Naples
Another location I adore is Naples, surrounded by all my friends: Brett Lloyd, Louis Ghewy, Karin Westerlund, Jordan Barrett, and Parker Van Noord, whom I’ve known since he was a teenager. It was a completely guerrilla-style shoot around Naples without any production, but the result was so quiet and serene.
Frederikke Sofie + Ibraheem Howell by Eddie Wrey| Image courtesy of MA + Group
Tangier Dreams for WSJ Magazine
I enjoy location shoots where the character can be developed through photography and styling. In this instance, Frederikke Sofie truly embodied the type of woman I admire: elegant, formal, but not too precise. In this narrative, it was great to highlight the duality of a couple.
