A selection of photographers and stylists were let upon the city to create visuals that represent the city, drawing inspiration from different sources both past and present. Male elegance and beauty threads the photography together creating a visual novel that aims to communicate personally with its viewer. The project, called MILANO PORTFOLIO, has been produced by Men In Italy's team (www.MENinITALY.com) and supported by National Italian Fashion Chamber (www.cameramoda.it).

 Elbio Bonsaglio and Eli Cometti wearing Dolce&Gabbana (photo: Giampaolo Sgura | styling: Miguel Arnau)

 Andrea Preti and Simone Bredariol wearing Dolce&gabbana (photo: Giampaolo Sgura | styling: Miguel Arnau)

Without notes to accompany the works, the images are left open to the same personal interpretation that we treat most forms of art with. For example the images of Giampaolo Sgura depicts four men in torso torn suits. Is this a playful acknowledgement towards the creation of beauty through clothing? Or maybe it represents the formal, business stereotype of north Italy and the freedom and openness that is associated with the south?

Some of the works can be misconstrued as a simple fashion editorial, for example the photography of Angela Improta portrays the elegance and beauty of the male form wonderfully but look closely and you see that these images poke fun at a world that can sometimes take itself too seriously.

The photography of Massimo Pamparana and styling of Carlo Oretnzi is haunting and dark, creating a somewhat oppressive view of Milano. The use of back and white adds a heavy depth to the shadows of these works and creates a beautifully “close” view of the famed city.

More works are within the book from the new generation of photographers and stylists and are bound together to create a perfect portfolio of the men of Milan and those that read its streets and are inspired by the living canvas.

 See the whole MILANO PORTFOLIO here >

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Written by Ben Taylor