Photographer Marvis Sze Wai Chan
Fashion and Writer Edgar Van den Heede
Models Nicolas Schrayen, Kaito from The Eye Management and Dreeke from Run Model Management
Fashion Assistant Mari Yakusha
Makeup Maria Ovejero
Hair Sonu Herrera
Hair Assistant Chavez Cockx
Special Thanks Family 'Meirlaen'
This is a story about brotherhood, security, and clashing worldviews. A story based on my own experiences. Visiting in-laws in rural Kruishoutem, I always felt distinctly different. Lots of questions, lots of strange looks, but also lots of love. A place that embraced me and even became somewhat proud that I, too, could be a part of it. The only thing I often missed was someone who also understood - really understood - that tension of being different. In this story, the visitor is not alone; a band of brothers protects him.
Three brothers visit their childhood home. All in an archetypal Flemish village. Stylish, androgyne, and confident men stand out against the peasant landscape. They do not belong there, but feel safe and secure. It is part of their childhood and who they are. They understand the place, but the place no longer understands them. Yet they go back there with great love, no resentment or envy. The family also love to see them come. Ignorance creates tension, but the boys' casual and playful attitude makes it feel natural.
The three boys find their self-assurance with each other; they understand each other through and through. They have been through the same journey and now reside in places that stimulate and nurture their ‘otherness’. There is a lot of mutual love, gentle, playful love. They don't keep up facades of ‘hard’ masculinity that was the norm within their childhood setting. They shamelessly love each other and show it.
They visit family on a banal spring day. Their presence feels casual and natural, but also rebellious, purely because of the contrast with their surroundings. The styling shows their defiance by accentuating their softness.
Above: Gaiko wears top by Egon Lab and Trousers by Facon Jacmin and Nicolas wears Top and Trousers by Christian Wijnants
Above: Gaiko, Nicolas, and Dreeke wear Full Looks by Christian Wijnants
Above Left: Gaiko wears Top by Comme des Garçons and Jewellery by Anaïs De Keyzer
Above Right: Nicolas wears Shirt and Trousers by Egon Lab, Shoes by Collectif d'Anvers and Ring by Anaïs De Keyzer
Above Left: Dreeke wears Top and Trousers by Dries Van Noten
Above Right: Gaiko wears Shirt by Comme des Garçons and Trousers are vintage Robert Cavalli
Above: Dreeke wears Vest and Shorts by Christian Wijnants and Tie by Annaëlle Ruedink. Nicolas wears Vest by Christian Wijnants and Shorts and Chain by ESSENTIEL ANTWERP. Gaiko wears Gillet by Christian Wijnants, Skirt by 1/OFF Paris, Chains by ESSENTIEL ANTWERP, and Boots by Collectif d'Anvers
Above: Dreeke wears Shirt by 1/OFF Paris and Ring by Anaïs De Keyzer and Nicolas wears Blazer by Dries Van Noten and Shirt by ESSENTIEL ANTWERP
Above: Gaiko and Dreeke wear Full Looks by Christian Wijnants
Above: Gaiko wears Look as Before with Glasses by NATAN, Nicolas wears Shirt by Commes de Garçons and Trousers by Façon Jacmin, and Dreeke wears Shirt by Commes de Garçons and Glasses by NATAN
Above left: Gaiko wears Shirt by ESSENTIEL ANTWERP, Vest by Façon Jacmin, Shorts by Christian Wijnants, and Boots by Collectif d'Anvers
Above right: Nicolas wears Vest and Trousers by 1/OFF Paris, Boots by Collectif d'Anvers, and Rings by Anaïs de Keyzer
