At Larroudé, we’ve always strived to tell people’s stories—their dreams, their realities, their inspiration, and their struggles. While brainstorming for our shoot, we couldn’t have ever imagined the future we’d be walking in to, the devastating reality we’re all currently experiencing as we watch the news in horror at what’s going on in Ukraine. 

So we wanted to take a different approach to this shoot. We cast Anastasia, a Russian-born single mom, who I first met years ago when we photographed her for Teen Vogue. We also cast Fekes, the second generation of Ukranian immigrants, whose family moved to the United States looking to fulfill their own American dream. Both women watch what’s happening with immense grief and sadness.

I couldn’t say it better than Demna Gvasalia during Paris Fashion Week: "...in a time like this, fashion loses its relevance and its actual right to exist. But this show (Balenciaga) needs no explanation. It is a dedication to fearlessness, to resistance, and to the victory of love and peace.” 

May we all continue to fight for this to be over, and for peace and love to prevail. – Marina Larroudé