ROME - Ouvre Les Yeux

Jessica Harris – fashion designer, founder and owner at Leopardessa
Mariaelena Masetti Zannini -  product research and co-owner at Leopardessa

Photography  - Serena Belcastro
Styling – Serena Belcastro and Leopardessa
All clothes by Leopardessa vintage archive

Jessica and Mariaelena are the lovely girls behind Leopardessa, new fashion brand and cool vintage shop in the heart of rione Monti, the most ancient neighborhood of Rome.
Having worked in that area for a few months, it became like home to me and I found myself dropping by on a weekly basis to say hi to my many ex-colleagues and friends who work in the area's many little shops. Leopardessa is one of my favourites because it really is like a fantastic little world unto itself, full of incredible clothes, colors and lights.

I met Jessica in September and I totally fell in love with her unique, crazy and ironic chic style and the way that she seems to draw people into a daydream. She might be American, but I secretly think that she must be from another enchanted planet, reigning supreme over this hypnotizing kingdom of her own making.

Jessica introduced me Mariaelena, a great theatre writer, performer and product researcher for Leopardessa. She simply oozes femininity. Originally from the North of Italy, her beauty conjures seductive Persian tales of great adventure and spicy Arabian markets of indescribable delights.

As such, these two amazing girls are the perfect mix behind Leopardessa. In this photo shoot they are like one and they are vintage… for now!

 Location

We shot this story in their atelier/shop in Via Panisperna 226 listening to David Bowie in a sunny sunday afternoon of May.

Miu Miu shoes

Miu Miu shoes

 

 

Jessica wears vintage hat and shirt, a vintage skirt re-edited by Leopardessa and Fendi shoes

Mariaelena wears vintage hat and shirt, a vintage skirt re-edited by Leopardessa and  Miu Miu shoes

 Soundtrack

CHAPTER I ROME - Le Jardin de Californie

Audrey Nguyen – visual artist

Michelle No – art history student

Photography & styling by Serena Lisbon

Special thanks to Sille Luna and Raffaello's Joint

Michelle and Audrey are two amazingly radiant California girls.

Audrey is originally a San Franciscan with Vietnamese origins, while Michelle is an LA resident born and raised in Rome.

I first met Michelle through my beloved Federica Piraino in January while they were both interning at the Macro museum. We spent a lovely time here in Rome with Federica eating chinese food and watching american movies, going out together and chatting all night long almost everyday. She is seemingly shy and quiet but actually extremely funny and full of energy. She left Rome a week after these pictures were shot and I would feel tremendously sad if I weren’t certain I’d see her again really soon in LA.

I met Audrey at a Dum Dum girls show in Rome and I did’t imagine she would become so close to me, almost like a sister here in Rome. We are so similar, with parallel experiences, having both travelled and lived in different places, and we’re able to understand each other with just a glance. She moved here after having lived 4 years in London, where she graduated in film studies. At the moment she’s on a boat somewhere in the mediterranean sea and I really miss her.

Location

On a warm June day we found a little piece of California in the wonderful and “dannunziana” villa Sciarra close to Trastevere and that’s where we shot this story. 

Soundtrack

CHAPTER I ROME - Monde Fantôme

Eleonora "Enid" Antonioni –  artist

Styling, photography & concept by Serena Lisbon

Art & layout by Eleonora Antonioni

Eleonora is a brilliant roman artist and a trustworthy friend.
Some people just don’t need too many words to be introduced.
Having a look to her amazing work is gonna let you know who I am talking about.

Location

We shot this story all around the San Lorenzo district - the area where Eleonora currently works.
She re-interpretated my pics in her own unique way.

 

  

   

  

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