For the “Talons Aiguilles” fashion editorial, published by Ô Magazine, we imagined a series in which shoes guide the lines of the body, transform attitudes and become the thread of a sensual, graphic and slightly theatrical narrative.
A fashion editorial built around stiletto heels
An editorial creates a world beyond the literal presentation of an outfit. Garments, model, setting and light interact, and the images become pages of a story. Here, the starting point was the silhouette created by heels: an extended leg, a changed balance and an immediately more defined pose.
With stylist Manon Jurek, we developed variations around black, red and yellow. Lace, transparency and lighter fabrics contrast with velvet, weathered walls and antique furniture. This meeting of contemporary sophistication and a richly textured setting gives the series its personality.
The production team
- Photographer: Jean Christophe Lagarde
- Styling: Manon Jurek
- Makeup: Andrea Sorel
- Hair: Grisel Loger Rivera
- Model: Cindy Babin — Jana Hernette Model Scouting
- Publication: Ô Magazine
Guiding the eye through pose and composition
With Cindy Babin, model direction developed around poses both precise and relaxed. Legs become diagonals, shoes punctuate the edges of the image and hands accompany movement. Some seated attitudes are frontal and assertive; others, reclining on sofas, create a more unexpected tension.
Framing needed to give the silhouettes space while including the location’s details. Wall lights, floral curtains, upholstered chairs and wall textures create rhythms and colour echoes linking the double-page spreads.
Fashion lighting that serves the materials
In this Paris interior, lighting needed to retain the setting’s depth while keeping the images light. I sought directional illumination revealing black lace, the sheen of legs, velvet seating and the colours of the heels. Light structures each silhouette while preserving the location’s intimate atmosphere.
The furniture’s warm tones form a common base throughout the series. Red lips, the red dress and yellow accents on the shoes introduce visual breaks. This colour continuity allows changes of outfit and framing while preserving an immediately recognisable editorial identity.
Building a series for publication
Photographing for a magazine means thinking beyond individual images. We need to alternate wide shots, portraits, details and graphic compositions, while leaving space for titles, credits and layout. A strong individual photograph is not always enough: the whole must form a readable sequence.
Artistic direction continues during selection. The chosen images should vary without breaking the narrative. Cindy’s gaze, outfit colours and recurring heels maintain continuity from one spread to the next.
In a successful editorial, every contributor brings their own language, while all decisions converge on one visual story.
A collective creation, from concept to image
The result relies on close collaboration between styling, makeup, hair, model and photography. Everyone needs to understand the overall intention while retaining freedom to contribute. The photographer brings these elements into a coherent frame, maintains the set’s rhythm and translates the brief into publishable images.
This approach also informs my work as a fashion photographer in Paris, whether creating an editorial, campaign, lookbook or model test. The visual vocabulary changes with the project, but the aim remains: create a series that presents fashion while carrying a personal perspective.
Planning a fashion editorial or campaign?
Send me your brief, moodboard and intended publication channels so we can develop a suitable photographic direction.
Frequently asked questions
What is a fashion editorial?
A fashion editorial is a photographic series built around a theme, stylistic intention and visual narrative. It is generally intended for a magazine or media publication.
What is the difference between an editorial and an advertising campaign?
An editorial prioritises creative freedom and visual storytelling. A campaign responds more directly to a brand’s objectives, identity and product presentation.
Where was the “Talons Aiguilles” editorial photographed?
The series was photographed in Paris, in an antique interior chosen for its velvet, weathered walls and theatrical atmosphere.
Who is the model in this series for Ô Magazine?
The model is Cindy Babin, represented during this production by Jana Hernette Model Scouting.
Can the photographer handle the complete production of an editorial?
Yes. Depending on the project, preparation can include artistic direction, location research, casting, assembling the beauty team and coordinating the shoot.
