Under the Cover

Undercover

Undercover the

by Raffaele Caputo

Sponsored by

Segmento’s vision is predicated on the idea of leveraging Italian culture as a way of recognising and honouring the fact that we live in a multicultural world. We also recognise that from Rome to Melbourne and all places in between, neighbourhoods that were once enclaves for different ethnic communities are now multi-ethnic in character. We know that Italianità does not always look how we expect it to look. There are many complex identities involved with being Italian in the contemporary world. Our photographer Peter Brodbeck admits that shooting the cover was a challenge. «It was a bit of a balancing act to try to get across the idea of being unashamedly Italian while at the same time wanting people to understand that what we’re interested in, how we work and think, is very much inclusive of other cultures.» With the help of Lucy Laurita, who designed the green, white and red gowns worn by the models, Brodbeck’s approach was to stretch the idea as far as it could go, in order to compel readers to «look twice at the cover and realise that they are seeing more than they immediately recognise.» Laurita agrees that a cover shot needs to be striking to start a conversation. «We have Stephanie who is Chinese-born, Federica who is Italian-born, and Sammy who is Australian-born and of Ethiopian background. It’s mix of people that, in this Italian context, offers so much potential as a conversation-starter, and I think Segmento is all about creating a conversation» she says. That mix was also important for creating a look that enfolded the central theme for this year’s International Women’s Day, “Let’s Choose to Challenge”, and both Brodbeck and Laurita jumped at the opportunity. Brodbeck came up with ideas for using a number of props, different ways of grouping the models and taking shots from high angles alluding to the proverbial “glass ceiling”. Laurita, on the oth-

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er hand, focused on using the tricolore of the Italian flag and collaborated with a small ensemble of other talent (Lorenza Bini for jewellery and Ivana Ciccone for hair and make-up) to evoke distinct feminine moods and qualities. «Stephanie’s green gown is suggestive of a soft earthiness, an inner vitality, whereas Sammy in the white gown is striking and intimates an inner strength. Federica in the red dress is glamorous as though she is stepping onto the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival,» she says. Laurita’s instincts were right. But the tricolore aside, how does our cover relate to being “Unapologetically Italian”? What, finally, is this undercover story all about? Well, the answer is simple. We hope our cover gets many of you to ask the same question!

Stephanie Su arrived in Australia 5 years ago to further her studies in landscape architecture. She now works for the prestigious firm of Jack Merlo Design in South Yarra. Su started modelling in China when asked if she wanted to model for a retail store. She greatly enjoys modelling but sees it as a passionate sideline to her career as a landscape architect.

Sammy Ali @sammy_lovvve) is a law graduate and currently works as an office manager. Born in Australia of Ethiopian descent, Sammy says she does modelling just for the fun of it. Peter Brodbeck has been a photographer since he bought his first camera at the age of 13. He has done all sorts of commercial photography over the years, the most recent being for French Bastille Day two years ago. Nowadays he does photography only for himself and rarely accepts commissions, but made an exception for the cover of Segmento.

Lucy Laurita, whose mother was a dressmaker, has aspired to be a fashion designer all of her life. She has become renowned for creating simple, classic couture beauty. Her dresses and gowns are available online at www.frockaholics.com, Momento Designs Canberra, Sana Boutique Perth and by appointment Melbourne.

Lorenza Bini is the founder of Bini Gallery Contemporary Jewellery. Lorenza supplied for Federica the wave mesh and diamond chain bracelet and necklace by Elena Valenti. Sammy wears the orb painted coconut wood bracelet by the Rum Club Accessories and glass-beads earrings by Blue Valentine. And for Stephanie, Lorenza chose the wave mesh and diamond chain bracelet by Elena Valenti and earrings by Wanshu Li.

Ivana Ciccone is a talented hair and make-up artist who has built a name as a special effects artist. In 2019 she worked on zombie-comedy film Little Monsters.

Federica Mancuso has been modelling on a casual basis for 12 years. She hails from Naples and was discovered there when a photographer approached her in the street and encouraged her to take up modelling. Here in Melbourne, Federica teaches Italian at a primary school and also writes about fashion for Segmento.