Chromosome Y

“Chromosome Y” is a visual project that explores different themes such as masculinity, vulnerability, attraction, beauty standards, and the complexity of manhood through a fashioned lens. Exploring today’s beauty standards within the male community and bringing up questions like “What is masculinity nowadays?”, the collection features boys from all over the world.

Chris: I made Chris wait for me at Chatham Station, but his smile when he recognized me made me realize I wasn’t in trouble. London-born and scouted by Elite and Select, he studies International Business at Birkbeck. His dreams take him into the fashion industry, though. We talk about Portugal and he says bye with a ham and cheese sandwich.

Daan: 20 years old, from Amsterdam. Bright blue eyes covered by his black beanie. I ask him whether he prefers London or Amsterdam and he smiles, saying that he could never pick one, although Amsterdam has been home for 19 years.

Daniel: 18 years old, half Pakistani, half Irish, walks into the office sipping his orange juice in a box. We talk about how he has been stabbed in the face a few months ago, but he never fails to smile. Lasagne is his fave dish and he loves Spain so much that he has been eight times.

Edoardo: 20 years old from Rome, his face of relief remained impressed on my mind when he I realized I spoke Italian. He landed yesterday at midnight and this is his first time in London. He tells me he loves NYC so much he stayed there a month.

I managed to shoot Patrick in 10 minutes. Born and raised in Camden Town, he’s 18 and has been stabbed in his ribs. He tells me how close he was to dying when that happened.

Edoardo drinks coffee with one sugar.

Tommaso Montino is a 21-year-old fashion photographer from Venice, Italy.