A Touch of the Classics: Beauty & Fashion with a Medieval Twist
When I cast model Elisabeth Charlotte Monstrey (IG @lichtoranje) for a studio fashion shoot in Ghent, I knew the results would be visually compelling. But the collaboration with avant-garde makeup artist Laora Casic (IG @laoracasicmua) elevated the project into something deeper—an editorial inspired by medieval art, Flemish masters, and classical beauty reimagined through a modern lens.
From the start, our goal was to test bold new looks that pushed boundaries. Laora’s creative vision—developed as part of her final project at Forever Makeup Academy—offered intricate, layered makeup that referenced stained glass, cracked frescoes, and illuminated manuscripts. Paired with moody lighting and painterly studio setups, the images began to take on a chiaroscuro quality that felt both old and new.
As a Belgian fashion photographer based in Ghent, I often return to the visual language I grew up around: the golden hues of van Eyck, the drama of Dürer, the softness of Botticelli. This shoot became a way to reconnect with those roots while experimenting with avant-garde beauty techniques in a high-concept fashion editorial.
One of the unexpected joys of test shoots is discovering what happens when preparation meets spontaneity. While we mapped out each lighting setup and styling choice in advance, some of the strongest moments came from technical “mistakes”—a light misfire that created a divine glow, or a sudden gust of wind that added movement and intensity.
In particular, the cracked turquoise and navy makeup became a central motif, giving the model a near-messianic aura—a figure both iconic and alien. Paired with sheer burgundy fabrics and sharp silhouettes, the overall effect suggested a medieval saint stepped into a future realm of editorial fashion.
This project reminded me why I love building beauty concepts from the ground up: they allow unexpected layers of narrative and aesthetic to emerge. Each photo becomes not just a portrait, but a portal—bridging past and present, classical and experimental, human and mythic.
Interested in booking a creative studio shoot in Belgium? I work with makeup artists and stylists to create editorial-quality images that bring your vision to life.
Contact me here or view more of my fashion work.
