Things Happen for a Reason by Antonio Eugenio

Featuring Antonio Eugenio Words by Nastasia Khmelnitski

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Antonio Eugenio is a fashion photographer based in London whose passion is traveling around the world discovering the hidden location for new series of shoots. Antonio searches for uniqueness and individuality, courage and independence, beauty and sensuality in his works.

Not afraid to express his opinions, Antonio redefines the norm in fashion bringing in the fresh voice expressing the beautiful in the differences, emphasizing the personality as he sees it. Through the cinematic lens and perspective, Antonio creates the stylistic breathing the feel and mood of the old films.

In this interview, we discuss the recent London Fashion Week, the aesthetic behind the shoots, and traveling the cities.

Hi Antonio, what’s your favorite city to work in? What makes it special for you?

I came to London 4 years ago because I fell in love with the city, the great energy and creative vibes you have here. So obviously, I have to say London. But I recently traveled to California, and this road trip had really blown me away. I’d love to go there more often to shoot as the landscape is stunning and so different from one place to another. And I’m not even talking about the great weather there!

What’s the hardest part in shooting backstage from shows in the European fashion weeks?

Backstage you have to observe a lot and at the same time to be really quick to seize the moment. It’s always fun for me. However, shooting backstage during London Men's Fashion Week is really different from Paris or Milan. As most of the shows are done at The Strand, the set up often is the same for all the designers, plus the backstage is tiny. It takes off a lot of fun and narrows your window of creativity. However, it moved to East London this season, and it’s so much better now. Good move, East is always the best! =)

The idea of beauty changes its shape and definition throughout history, more so today when the fashion world brings forward new faces and attitudes that are breaking any boundaries of what was expected of beautiful before. What is beautiful in your opinion in the fashion industry today?

I really appreciate that fashion is not only beauty or pretty garments. Now brands and designers are allowed to use their power to take political or human positions. I think it’s important regardless of how big or small our voice is, to use it to stand for the beliefs we have. That’s what is beautiful to me now.

London is well-known as a city that accepts different types of styles, personalities, approaches to fashion and style. As a creative person, one requires challenges to express his views. Where do you get inspired and what drives and motivates you to express yourself?

Inspiration can be so random you know… I can be inspired by a movie, a single picture from an exhibition I went to or even from a book. It comes from anywhere.

I think it’s the passion, the satisfaction, and the joy I’m taking while working on different photographic projects that drives me to go on and on and express myself.

‘I believe that beauty is something that upsets you — something you can not stop thinking about, it's not a stereotype of perfection, it's harmony.’

What was the most exciting moment in your life? Why?

Exactly one year ago, I set up my first solo exhibition in London. That’s been such a proud moment and a magic opening. The project was really important to me. It didn’t start as it should have… But I always say "things happen for a reason". In this case, it happened for the best for the project and for myself. It was really important to me to talk about diversity in the middle of a political crisis in Europe and in the USA. As I just mentioned before, it was important for me to use my voice to talk about a subject that matters to me.

You often shoot outside, the cityscapes, at night or during the day. How do you scout for new locations? What needs to work in this location to make it click for you and know that this is the place for the approaching new shoot?

I enjoy traveling a lot and wandering around with no specific goal in mind. You get to discover the surroundings with another view, with no expectations, and that’s often how I find places to shoot. I often privilege places and location that have a story, a past. I’m always looking for locations which tell a story by their imperfection, their simplicity, their past.

Models in your works shine through the image with their bold attitude and inner depth. What are the most important factors in choosing the talent for the editorial?

I’m definitely more interested in strong personalities rather than pretty faces. It’s a hard task to choose a good model or at least, someone who will put a lot of his personality in the final picture. But I think somehow, now with the Social Media and Instagram, it’s easier to know what’s someone interest, and to get an idea about someone’s personality is a bit easier.

I appreciate when a model brings a lot of himself and his personality as also an availability to fit any character.

‘I always thought that music is the highest art, I mean the ability to compose music. I did not have this ability, but music always evoked very clear images in me.’

From incredibly sensible black and white series like ‘Unapologetic Beauty’ to the utmost colorful, saturated work as ‘Under my Light’ to experimental approach in the ‘Till the End’ how would you describe your development and interest in trying out new visualizations for the recurring theme of the male body?

I really appreciate this short summary of my work. Thanks for it. I think my development is maybe more into the story I want to tell in each of my projects, you know when I want to talk about something timeless or bring my story to a past era. However, my overall aesthetic approach has this common point: the feel and the mood are really cinematic. Old movies are my main source of inspiration, so I think it makes sense to me.