This is not here

''This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue pill, the story ends. You wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes.'' said a mysterious Morpheus in the movie Matrix (1999).

I can see it, therefore it exists. Does it work this way? As old as the hills, the search for truth has drowned humanity into a whirlwind of doubts that question everything we call life. Before us, many philosophers racked their brains onto the subject growing fascinating theories that brought us here, to the only acceptable conclusion: nothing is right or wrong. We, as single, decide what is worth-believing.

In this French Fries editorial, photographer Nicola Pagano opted for the red pill, introducing us to his parallel world made by psychedelic patterns and optical effects. Exaggerated with post-production, these visuals combine colourful and fluttering ensembles by stylist Martina Iannuzzi and assistant Simone Morelli, with bold makeup by makeup artist Matilde Davolio. An overwhelming world where model Martina Bardelli shares the spotlight with the concepts of ‘’movement’’ and ‘’repetition’’ - a tribute to the futurism art movement.

Photography: Nicola Pagano / nicolapagano_

Styling: Martina Iannuzzi / martinaalexxa

Hair: Yuri Napolitano / yurinapolitanohair

Makeup: Matilde Davolio / matsmakeup

Model: Martina Bardelli / martybardelli

Styling assistant: Simone Morelli / simoneemme

Words: Giorgia Ribaldone / giorgiariba