THE AVENUE MAGAZINE, ISSUE 20: VAIN
Editorial Direction
→ Photo Direction: Lauren Violette and Mukki Gill
→ Design Direction: Sammy White
ABOUT
The Avenue Magazine's twentieth issue, VAIN, examines vanity's complex duality—not merely as taboo or sin, but as a universal longing for validation that lies beneath conceited façades. Beyond self-obsession, vanity represents our fundamental desire to be seen. As we noted in our introduction: "Perhaps it's more than tunnel vision of the self, and instead a misguided effort for the validation we all seek. After all, a peacock fares his feathers for companionship—not applause."
MY ROLE
As returning Director of Photography for this milestone 20th issue, I developed a cohesive visual theme exploring vanity's contradictions and directed all photography team shoots, providing art direction, lighting guidance, and compositional feedback. I led 20 photographers through multiple concurrent productions in an intensive two-week window, while personally conceptualizing and shooting my own 12-page spread titled "EGO."
Beyond photography, I served as Associate Design Director, working closely with Design Director Sammy White to create front matter, posters, and merchandise that reinforced the issue's visual identity. I also authored "Olympia," an article drawing on my art history education to examine the relationship between artistic expression and vanity throughout history.
