There is a tension that has always fascinated me: the friction between the organic, vulnerable human body and the sterile environments we build to control it. For my series “An Exploration of Sterile Environments,” I wanted to make this conflict visible. I didn’t choose a generic white wall for the location, but a place where hygiene is law and skin is canvas: the tattoo studio MOMMY I'M SORRY in Stuttgart.

The concept was radical reduction. In a world full of visual noise, I wanted to strip the color palette down to the absolute essentials of tattooing: Black (the ink), White (the sanitation), and Skin (the wearer).

The Atmosphere

For me, the studio was more than just a set; it was a protagonist. The ubiquitous plastic wrapping, intended to keep surfaces clinically clean, became a filter of detachment through my lens. It packages reality, preserving it like a museum exhibit. In this light, the models don’t just look placed; they look almost vacuum-sealed—a modern, clinical interpretation of the Brutalism that Rick Owens has celebrated in his fashion for decades.

The Wardrobe

Together with stylist Thi Hake and the Rick Owens archivist Matti Zell , we selected pieces that continue this dialogue between protection and exposure. Here, Rick Owens’ designs function as armor.

Nika Sogo stands almost monolithic in the Rick Owens FW21 'Gethsemane' Waxed Denim Dress. The waxy, rigid texture of the dress corresponds perfectly with the smooth, scrubbed surfaces of the studio. The only break in this hardness is the delicate Ann Demeulemeester Crystal Pendant—a shard of light that feels fragile yet sharp.

With Carl (Schultz), I wanted to address the theme of "skin" more directly. The Rick Owens Tec Flight Transparent Leather Jacket creates a "second skin" effect. The leather allows the Rick Owens Dylan T-Shirt underneath to ghost through, much like a fresh tattoo sitting beneath a healing layer of skin. Binding this silhouette together are the rare Rick Owens Bevel Belts, which feel less like accessories and more like industrial tools.

A conscious break from the matte sterility is the Rick Owens FW17 'Glitter' SPHINX Sequin Jacket, which I paired with the raw structure of the Masnada Scarstitch Pants. The sparkle of sequins in this clinically pure environment feels almost rebellious—a "grimy glamour" that proves even in absolute control, there must be room for chaos.

The Verdict

This editorial is my exploration of the aesthetics of hygiene. It is not just about displaying archive fashion, but placing it in a context that highlights its protective, almost medical function. Black, White, Skin—and in between, fashion as the final barrier.