We take three heroes from three different countries and show stages of human maturation: Italy—The Carefree Child, France —The Rebellious Teen, The Netherlands—The Wise Adult. Through this editorial project we try to find the common denominator that binds not only all students and young workers together, but anyone who is brave enough to risk everything for something they believe in. The journey to get to know who you exactly are in this world is what life is about, and until you find a place where you can be in peace and people you can be at ease with, aren’t you still a Black Sheep? Una Pecora Nera? Un Mouton Noir? Een Zwart Schaap? You are the hero in your story, and we hope you’ll find reflections of yourself in our project. The heroes in our story are highlighted through the prism of their family, friends and society that surrounds them, as this is the beginning of every person and their feeling as a whole.
CHILDHOOD
Infantile and dreamy, deeply loved and protected by family. She cares more about nurturing her creativity and chooses to stay at home and help her moth- er in her business until she finds a job that feels fulfilling. A talented artist in a family of lawyers, she keeps her creativity fueled by either sewing puppets or designing comics. She is shown in a farmer’s market- a place where lies the root of Italian culture and traditions. “Families that eat together, stay together”, and it is especially true for an Italian family that prioritizes family-time over the hustle-culture and loves bonding over a shared meal. From a distance, our hero is safe and warm inside the circle of her family, but is willing to find her own way and create her own identity.
TEENAGE
An only child belonging to a typical wealthy family, this hero is more than eager to break free from the lifestyle she has grown up with and desires a fresh breath of freedom over the comforting cocoon of privilege. Giving up her cushioned life, she lives independently and earns her bread through her passion- making tattoos. Her inner protest to all the practices takes her from the expensive car to the familiar environment of her friends. Her friends are ordinary people from the streets who are young, wild, and free like her, and who love and accept her for who she truly is, not what the society would like her to be.
ADULTHOOD
Our hero in Amsterdam is practical yet insightful. Being on his own, he diligently carries out his duties as a citizen and the responsibilities he has towards his family. Leaving many old ways behind he has created a new life for himself that supports his growth. His friend-circle is small but close knit, and he dearly loves each of them. But there is a fire in him, a yearning to make it big in life. He works hard to be ready for whatever opportunity that comes knocking at his door. But in a world where first impressions are the last ones, he also wants to look ready, hence the Vintage Markets. Every- time he picks an outfit he asks the world, “What would you like me to be today?”.
Concept and written words by Prakriti Khajuria.
Art direction by Anna Khabarova, Prakriti Khajuria, Valeriya Romanova.
Photography by Andy Nasta.
