OBLIQUE PHYSIQUE

How a fashion editorial becomes a symbol of hope for the Ukrainian photographer Julia Melnyk

When the Ukrainian photographer produces the colorful editorial “Oblique Physique” together with the creative agency StyleARTistic a few days before Putin’s attack, no one in the team suspects what will already happen the following week. On February 20, what has changed our entire world order all at once comes true. No wonder that the result of a joint fashion editorial project for stockings at first completely fades into the background. The invasion of Russian troops into Ukraine and the beginning of the war in Europe has kept the whole world in suspense ever since.

Julia Melnyk is getting a close look at what is happening in her home country through the reports of her family and friends. Together with a friend, who also comes from Ukraine, she sets up the aid organization “Wolja” in Stuttgart/Germany within a few days, in particular to help arriving refugees. She devotes every free minute to this project of her heart.

Only 8 weeks later she finds the time again to dedicate herself to her passion, photography, and thus also to the finalization of the editorial project. “Oblique Physique has taken on a completely different meaning for us because of the framework,” also says Birgit Sommer, the creative director of StyleARTistic, who has been working with Julia Melnyk for some time.

“With the cheerfulness, the colors, and the unusual perspectives that make all the motifs of the photo series so special, we want to show how important it is, especially in times like these, to bring joy into everyday life, despite the dark time in which the project was created,” adds Julia Melnyk. “A little bit, this project is for me a symbol of hope for cheerfulness, which hopefully will return to Ukraine one day.”

Credit:
Photographer: Julia Melnyk.
Creative concept: StyleARTistic.
Styling and creative direction: Birgit Sommer.
Hair and makeup: Esra Batuman.
Models: Ivon @ HER Management and Valerie @ Indipendent.