Photography Laura Friedli
Words Amy-Jo Breach
Fashion Audrey Le Pladec
Models Joseph Glasser at New Madison Models Lawrence and Chatelain Hyacinthe at Select Model Management Mohamadou Diakhité and Teo Abihdana at Success Models
Light as a whisper, the stream trickles slowly against the delight of tranquillity. Backs flat against rock, skin warms under fervent heat as toes dangle in cooling water. Not a sound sirens outside this oasis, save for a solitary beat of wings above. Five sets of footprints mark the descent to the riverbed; a sanctuary away from concrete and cruelty.
Breathing in dampened air and savouring the gentle brush of mist, the boys hopscotch over stepping stones and recount stories from their past as reflections observe mirrored motions. Looming over sunken debris, the old stone bridge shadows forgotten relics of preceding escapades. Opening to those in search of respite, the elusive refuge is safe from convention.
Leaving the burbling creek behind, veins run hot with release as the woods unlock to reveal wild greens and vivacious fauna. Climbing trees and racing through tall grass, the boys discover pure bliss as a jungle expands before them. Suspended in amber, time is pocketed away until the adventure ends. False kings rule lands of leaves as jesters spring from branches in a charade of performance. Laura Friedli follows their pantomime, capturing Sunday blues amongst forest greens as Audrey Le Pladec styles the boys with bright pops of colour and classic denim jeans to accentuate their emancipation from formality.
As the day drags on, the boys’ exploration of their hidden retreat winds down. An overcast sky brings a brisk chill to settle on skin and seep into bones. Crestfallen with the knowledge that their crusade is drawing to a close, the boys collapse in a pile as the reverie dissolves. Deep in the forest, animals scatter and greenery braces for impact as the boys are thrown back into the clamour of civility. Left behind under darkening clouds, a lost necklace shimmers beneath the rushing stream as payment for the visit. As the boys know: no virtue is free.
Above: Lawrence wears jacket and trousers by Lanvin, earring by Goossens, necklace by Bleue Burnham at White Bird and bracelet by Sarastyle. Teo wears jacket and trousers by Blue Marble, necklace and belt by Goossens. Chatelain wears jacket and trousers by Dries Van Noten, necklace by Polite Worldwide and rings by Sarastyle. Joseph wears Trousers by Nina Ricci and necklaces by Polite Worldwide and Sarastyle
Above: Mohamadou wears overalls by Levi's. Lawrence wears jeans by Levi's and necklace by Hugo Kreit. Teo wears top and shorts by Jeanne Friot. Chatelain wears jeans by Levi's
Above left: Chatelain wears vest by Louis Gabriel Nouchi, trousers by Solid and earring by Hugo Kreit
Above right: Joseph wears jumper by Etro, shorts by Espero Atelier, shoes by Marsèll and necklace by Goossens. Lawrence wears waistcoat by Etro, trousers by Niccolò Pasqualetti, shoes by Camper Lab and necklaces by Polite Worldwide
Above: Joseph wears top by Louisa Ballou and underwear by Louis Gabriel Nouchi
Above left: outfit as before
Above right: Joseph wears jeans by Levi's
Above left: Joseph wears jeans by Levi's. Mohamadou wears overalls by Levi's. Lawrence wears jeans by Levi's and necklace by Hugo Kreit. Teo wears top and shorts by Jeanne Friot. Chatelain wears jeans by Levi's and underwear by Sébline
Above right: Outfit as before
Above: Lawrence wears jeans by Études Studio. Teo wears jeans by Moncler x JW Anderson. Mohamadou wears jacket and trousers by Dries Van Noten. Joseph wears jeans by Ouest World
Above left: Mohamadou wears jeans and shoes by Blue Marble, underwear by Sébline and earring by Samuel François Jewellery. Lawrence wears overalls and hat by Kenzo and earring by Goossens
Above right: Outfit as before
Above left: Mohamadou wears overalls by Levi's and necklace by Samuel François Jewellery. Joseph wears jeans by levi's
Above right: Teo wears shirt by GCDS, trousers by Ami Paris, bracelet by Sarastyle and necklace by Polite Worldwide. Lawrence wears jumper by Balmain, shorts by Espero Atelier and earring by Molism Design. Joseph wears shirt and trousers by Marine Serre and necklace by Molism Design
Above: Teo wears shirt by GCDS, trousers and shoes by Ami Paris, bracelet by Sarastyle and necklace by Polite Worldwide. Lawrence wears jumper by Balmain, shorts by Espero Atelier, boots by Marsèll and earring by Molism Design. Joseph wears shirt and trousers by Marine Serre, shoes by Lanvin and necklace by Molism Design
above left: Mohamadou wears jumper by Koché, jeans by Levi's and boots by Camper Lab
above right: Chatelain wears suit by Givenchy and hat by Hamaji
Above: Mohamadou wears suit by Dries Van Noten and necklace by Hugo Kreit
