Benetton - the best ads using diverse bodies

United Colors of Benetton a brand that went beyond fashion with its visuals and subject matter. A brand that made a mark, a change in our history. A brand the visuals of which were my most earliest reference and admiration of diversity in bodies, ethnicity, religion. A reference for how we should be - united!

Who is Oliviero Toscani?

Oliviero Toscani is an influential Italian photographer best known for his provocative advertising campaigns for the fashion brand Benetton from 1982 to 2000. Toscani's work for Benetton broke traditional advertising norms by using bold, socially charged imagery to spark conversation on global issues like racism, war, HIV/AIDS, and inequality. His controversial campaigns, often devoid of direct product references, transformed Benetton into a brand synonymous with social awareness, blending art, activism, and marketing in a groundbreaking way. Toscani's work remains a powerful example of using photography to challenge societal norms and inspire dialogue.

How powerful visuals can change the way we see our bodies regardless of fashion?

Oliviero Toscani's work for Benetton teaches us that body image can be approached with honesty, diversity, and inclusivity. Through his campaigns, Toscani showcased people of all races, ages, and body types, celebrating human individuality rather than adhering to conventional beauty standards. His unapologetic portrayal of real bodies and authentic stories challenges societal pressures and encourages acceptance of one's own body. Toscani's work reminds us that visual media can be a powerful tool to redefine beauty norms, promote body positivity, and inspire self-love by embracing the full spectrum of human diversity.

What a Party!

It was magical! The fiesta for the official opening of our creative hub Art Project Poblenou was a moment I’ll always remember!

We had close to 100 attendeece who came to celebrate with us this special moment - Thank you all once again!

Along with the positive vibes and warm hugs, our event was coloured by other talented artists who performed especially for us.

We had live music by El Terrado De Giulia, dance performance by Geor Liébana Ayala, special art installation for us with holographic ventilators by Virtue Interactive Bulgaria / Barcelona and memorable photography record by the Girona based photographer Eddy Kelele.

Nuria and I were on top of the emotions, grateful and fulfilled!

Here you can see come highlights of this incredible night:

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A post shared by Art Project Poblenou 🎨📸 (@artprojectpoblenou)

Come and visit us when you have some spare time!

We’re looking forward to seeing you around!

Beach Portrait - End of Summer

Another summer just went by. It felt short, like it slipped by faster than ever…

The beach is my most favourite places and locations to be. The simplicity it has combined with the peacefulness of the always moving waves give me a sense a home that noting else does. I wanted to use the last heat to create some analogue inspired, b&w portraits.

The result is pleasing both for the beautiful Elena and for me.

Model: Elena
Location: Sant Pol de Mar, Costa Brava
August, 2024

New Address, New Adventure, New Collaboration

Do you like changes? Sometimes they come unexpectedly and force us to re-adjust, other times they are long wished and awaited.

The second is more correct in my current state - for a long time I’ve been wishing to have my own public studio space, ideally in the city I want to live and create. And here I am sharing with you the exact outcome of my manifestation - I opened my photo studio in Barcelona! Hooray!

But is it as easy as it might sounds? Are we able to accept the physical outcome of our long, mental wishes? Or do we get scared when it all apear in our life? Sometimes wishing for something is easier than having it. Wishing takes out the responsibility to accept and manage it. It puts it in a future time that one day it might be here but until then we can act and be as we are - comfortable in our own current reality.

What happens though when our decires actually manifest? When what we saw in our head is in our hands and others can see it too? Do we take the responsibility or self-sabotage ourselves out fo fear? To want a certain outcome for yourself or in your life you have to be able to take the responsibility for your actions. This includes not only the discipline before the result but also the acceptance and ownership of the manifestation after it has appeared. I still find it hard to do the second. Which in itself puts me in this bizarre loop - why do I push what I wanted so bad when it’s finally here?

That’s being a human, isn’t it? Resistance and self-sabotage appear strongly especially with artists, as our work is not something that can be measured or comes with a handy manual. Fear will never go, it’s here to help is when we need it. However, it’s our responsibility to asses when and where is helping us or doing the oposite. Out of fear to accept what we always wanted can ruin all of our hard work and focused daydreaming. Fear of being who you know you can be inside because of what others might think will only lead you to self harm in a form of addictions or mental health issues. What we see in our head, what we desire, the person who we know we are inside are all here, given personally to us for a reason. No-one else is like you, and you’re not like anyone else. We’re all the same, all connected in this universal life, but we’re all here to spread love and create in our own unique way. So embrace it! Be it! Accept who you are, what you are here to do, what it is given to you in result of your own hard work, effort and clear vision.

You know what they say - be yourself, everyone else is taken. Accept that might be different than everyone else you know. Accept that you deserve what has come to you, because you’re the one entitled to have it. Accept your power, magnificence, your right to be fully who you are. Accept it and go forward with it, because it’s here for you. You deserve it just because you can see it!

Small tips that make a Big difference on your photo shoot

[English / Castellano / Български]

Small tips that will make a Big difference for your professional photos:

• Clothes - whichever type of clothes you decide to bring, make sure you iron them beforehand, especially cotton. The creases are hard to retouch and it’s easier to fix in advance. I have a steamer in the studio that can fix the creases of transportation.

• Shoes - for the photos it’s better to be clean and polished. We might not include them, but it’s always better to be prepared.

• Nails - no broken or semi painted. Either done or natural.

• Hair & Make-Up - it’s your choice, however you feel like you want to look on your photos. Professional hair and make-up are available upon request.
  For the men - if you decide to get a hair cut for the shoot, make sure it’s around 2 days before, so it looks more natural.

• Anything else you fancy - feel free to bring anything you see related or want to have in the photos.

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Pequeños consejos que marcarán una gran diferencia en tus fotografías profesionales:

• Ropa - sea cual sea el tipo de ropa que decidas traer, asegúrate de plancharla previamente, especialmente la de algodón. Los pliegues son difíciles de retocar y es más fácil arreglarlos de antemano. Tengo una plancha de vapor en el estudio que puede arreglar las arrugas del transporte.

• Zapatos - para las fotos es mejor que estén limpios y lustrados. Puede que no los incluyamos, pero siempre es mejor estar preparado.

• Uñas - no rotos ni semi pintados. Ya sea hecho o natural.

• Peinado y maquillaje - es tu elección, como quieras que se vea en tus fotos. Peluquería y maquillaje profesionales están disponibles a pedido. Para los hombres: si deciden cortarse el cabello para la sesión, asegúrese de hacerlo aproximadamente 2 días antes, para que luzca más natural.

• Cualquier otra cosa que te apetezca - no dudes en traer cualquier cosa que veas relacionada o quieras tener en las fotos.

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Малки съвети, които ще направят Голяма разлика за твоите професионални снимки:

• Дрехи - каквито и дрехи да решиш да донесеш, не забравяй да ги изгладиш предварително, особено памучните. Гънките са трудни за след-обреботка и е по-лесно да се коригират предварително. Имам steamer в студиото, който може да оправи гънките при транспортиране.

• Обувки - за снимките е по-добре да са чисти и полирани. Може да не ги включим, но винаги е по-добре да сме подготвени.

• Нокти - без счупени или полулакирани. Или изцяло лакирани, или естествени.

• Коса и грим - по твой избор, както чувстваш, че искаш да си на снимките. Професионална прическа и грим е възможна при предварително запитване.
  За мъжете - ако решиш да се подстригваш, хубаво е да е около 2 дни по-рано, за да изглежда по-натурално.

• Всичко друго, което ти харесва - не се колебай да донесеш всичко, което е свързано или искаш да имаш на снимките.