CHAPTER II Nowhere - Mesdemoiselles Perdues

Photography and styling by

Serena Belcastro

Talents

Cecilia Sammarco – designer and blogger at Visual Think

Antonellina Corigliano – student

Luigia Sproviero – student 

Stefania Cariati – student

 Lidia Passarelli – student 

I was born in Cosenza, an ancient town full of history and culture placed between the sea and the mountains, in the heart of Southern Italy.
For many reasons I always wanted to escape from there but still I must admit I feel deeply connected to my roots and above all to some particular spots of my hometown.
I grew up looking at many old photographs of my mother when she was about my age. Through those photographs, I grew to know my origins and the places where i come from.
They ended up satiating my taste and creative spirit as well.
I've always been attracted to a particular place in the middle of the historical center. Perhaps because my mother's portrait that was taken in 1976 in that very spot in front of a fountain in the ancient garden, Villa Vecchia.
The photo was taken in august though it does not quite capture the overall mood which made me think of the nymphs and ghost legends which might have roamed here once.
I always thought there might be some sort of magical and symbolic explanation for the nymph statue in the fountain that was once white but since has turned black.
I took all these dark and ghostly fantasies and put them into a photo shoot trying to make them real and alive.

Location
 Villa Vecchia – Cosenza,  Italy

The clothes are a vintage selection by Visual Think and stylist’s own.

Soundtrack

Chapter I ROME - Ça s’est passé à Rome

Michela Fasanella - fashion designer, founder and director at Aroma30

Photography & Styling - Serena Belcastro

All clothes by Aroma30 f/w 2012-13 Collection

Michela is the founder and director of Aroma30, a Rome-based brand with an International spirit. The brand is the perfect incarnation of its creator. 

The clothes she designs are a witty convergence of everything she likes and every aspect of her unique personality. 

A distinctive blend of austerity and femininity, contemporary yet classic beauty. 

In her collection season after season, Michela merges all her artistic, cultural and visual background into a sophisticated yet pure and minimal result. 

She is an icon and a representation of timeless Roman beauty.  

Location

We shot this story at a friend’s home in Pigneto - the eastern Roman suburb loved by Pasolini. 

Soundtrack

Chapter I ROME - Heroïne

Lidia is a 21-year-old natural redhead. 

Though she lives in Bologna, she stopped by Rome for a few days visiting me and my friends.

Lidia is a creature of pure taste; she loves exclusive perfumes and independent fashion, brand new sounds and neomelodic pop tunes. She’s always up to date on the coolest trends while never forgetting trashy icons from the past. 

All that eccentric mix makes her style absolutely unique.

She is my heroine because she’s got the power of being the most colorful and sweetest smelling person i know and I am on the floor laughing as soon as i hear her contagious laughter and witty jokes.

Location:

I shot her at Gazometro in the Ostiense area. 

We were there for a few hours at sunset during which Lidia pretended to be a cute misfit.

Special thanks to Giulia Misasi

Soundtrack:

Chapter I ROME - Le dérnier jour

   

Federica Piraino - visual artist
Styling & photography by Serena Lisbon

We’re two friends, similar yet diverse in all the right ways. 

 She’s silent when I’m loud, calm when I’m crazy, and vice versa. 

We met in our mutual hometown and remained acquaintances for some time, but it was Rome that provided the right backdrop for the friendship I owe to her now. 

Our time here flew, inevitably cut short by her decision to move to London, a move that I felt was not in my cards, at least for now. 

Despite the distance and the respective commitments that keep us apart, I know that there will be a place and time when we will find each other yet again eating sweet and sour chinese food together.

This shoot was my personal way of saying goodbye to one of the most joyful, peaceful and graceful person I have ever met.

 The style is a delicate grungy femme fatale from the early 20th century. 

Because that’s what I see when I think of Federica.

Location

I shot her at my place, mostly in the garden outside the building where I currently live in Piazza Bologna area.

Soundtrack