Diana Neto: Sweet Obscurum

31 Dec

A narrative fashion editorial exploring contrast and tension through stylised imagery and performance

Sweet Obscurum is a fashion photography project that blends innocence with unease, using playful visual language to explore darker emotional undercurrents. Set within a natural landscape, the series juxtaposes confectionery colours, theatrical styling and childlike props against gestures and expressions that feel deliberately unresolved.

Art direction and photography by Diana Neto demonstrate a strong command of narrative construction. Her compositions balance symmetry and disruption, allowing repetition, framing and spatial distance to create a sense of quiet dislocation. The restrained colour palette of reds, whites and muted greens reinforces visual cohesion while amplifying symbolic contrast.

Model Vasilisa delivers a controlled and expressive performance, moving between stillness and exaggerated pose with confidence. Her presence anchors the imagery, allowing the surrounding elements to feel intentional rather than decorative. Makeup by Lea Louro plays a crucial role in shaping the tone, combining graphic detailing with porcelain finishes to blur the line between costume and character. Hair styling by Ana Pratt supports this aesthetic through soft structure and period influenced styling that remains contemporary.

Retouching by António Amaral is subtle and measured, preserving texture and atmosphere while maintaining a polished editorial finish. Together, the team presents a visually distinctive project that feels cohesive, unsettling and thoughtfully executed