What happens when two Aquarius, a Pisces, two Libras and a Sagittarius come together? We'll let someone more qualified at reading star charts give you the official cosmic verdict, but what we can confirm is that they make a lot of magic together: exhibit A, the shoot above.
For emerging creatives and new faces, the fashion industry can be a lot to navigate. But these six are already making serious waves, turning out shoots that seasoned industry pros would be proud to put their name to. Photographer Nicholas Johnson, for one, has a knack for capturing a youthful, whimsical energy; the kind that taps into a nostalgic feeling that the industry can't get enough of right now. Stylist Elliot Cowen is another young creative turning everything he touches into magic, no doubt amplified by his background studying fashion design and his dabbling across creative direction, casting and hair styling.
We sat Nicholas and Elliot down with on-the-rise hair stylist Tané van Traa for some hard-hitting questions about the reality of working in this ever-evolving (and often tumultuous) industry, and all three came back with genuine gems of wisdom.
On creating, Nicholas kept it simple: "It's all about a feeling for me with visuals. Almost like interjecting voyeurism into the fashion world." Tané sums up the best part of collaboration: "I think the best ideas come from building on each other's, rather than protecting what you have envisioned." Then there's the harder reality that comes with the territory, the "torturous last-minute emails and things inevitably always falling through," as Elliot puts it. Or this short, succinct line from Nicholas that says it all: "The grind never be stopping."
And while it's been enlightening hearing from the creatives behind the camera for once, we're not forgetting the stunning new faces in front of it. Clive, Corina and Emily, all recently signed by our friend Imogen Wilson at Shadow Agency, are just as adept at navigating the creative world. Corina's passion lies in directing and script writing, with a feature film as her ultimate goal. Clive is a painter by trade, taking "a creative approach to all aspects of life." And Emily, a natural observer, is making a concerted effort to put herself out there in the industry; which, as any creative starting out knows, is often the hardest part.
Before you dive into their wise words below, we'll leave you with this from Corina: "What you see online is often curated. It's important to remember that everyone has their own timelines and journeys. Life is so long and success can come in many different ways, you just have to learn to be patient."
Name: Nicholas
Star sign: Pisces
Give us the Nicholas elevator pitch, who are you and what do you do?
I’m Nicholas Johnson not Nicholas Francis and I create fab images with fab people.
Walk us through your creative process for a shoot like this:
Well it is different for each one I do. I think I try to listen to what I want the images will make people feel. It’s all about a feeling for me with visuals. Almost like interjecting voyeurism into the fashion world.
What does collaboration mean to you?
Collaboration is everything to me. My images become what they are based on the team I have behind me and the subject I have in front of me.
The best part of what you do:
Creating art with other artists.
The part nobody warns you about:
The grind never be stopping.
What does ‘taste’ mean to you:
Taste to me cannot be manufactured or given. It’s an instinctual fabness you just radiate.
What’s on your playlist right now?
Always mother monster but loving Kim Petras' new album.
Best film you’ve seen recently?
Secretary. So fab and chic.
What have you been reading lately?
Sunburn.
What’s next for you in 2026 and beyond?
Hopefully lots more shooting in even cooler locations.
Name:
Elliot Cowen
Star sign: Libra
Give us the Elliot Cowen elevator pitch, who are you and what do you do?
I’m Elliot, I make stuff and work on creative projects, usually I am a stylist, but I also design, do hair sometimes, creative direct, cast, model etc. I love fashion.
Walk us through your creative process for a shoot like this:
Most of my process happens before the shoot, deciding shoot vibe, casting, emailing PR and brands, picking up clothes. Once everything is organised, I can pull up to set and just get everyone dressed smoothly while also, of course, making little extra styling decisions.
What does collaboration mean to you? And community?
In this field of work collaboration is everything, I rely on the people around me to help execute the project. I loan clothes from PR agencies/brands and the team around me all have their set of skills that makes everything come together. It also just makes shoot days more fun having a big team of people to joke around and be goofy with.
The best part of what you do:
Playing with pretty clothes and making people look hot xx
The part nobody warns you about (or the hardest part):
Torturous last minute emails and things inevitably always falling through lol.
What does ‘taste’ mean to you:
Being the type of person that knows themself so well that they just always look cool, where somehow everything they touch becomes a beautiful extension of them.
What’s on your playlist right now?
'The Peace' – Underscores
'Cats' – Fakemink
'Velvet Rope' – Janet Jackson
Best film you’ve seen recently?
Watched Maternal Instinct that was f**ked up.
Fave podcast/YouTube account?
Quen
What’s next for you in 2026 and beyond?
I’m at uni, studying fashion design, so continuing that, designing crazy clothes. Shooting some fun projects and working on some super secret things shhhh. Also just expanding my knowledge on the world.
Name: Tané van Traa
Star sign: Aquarius stellium
Give us the Tané elevator pitch, who are you and what do you do?
I started training as a hairdresser after moving to Sydney. As an artist I was looking for a new medium and hair ticked a lot of boxes for me, I love the combination of creativity, technical skill, and working with people in a way that feels rewarding.
Walk us through your creative process for a shoot like this:
I start with an understanding of the board and story we’re trying to create. An important part for me is feeling like the hair belongs naturally in the context. There are always going to be things you can’t control, that’s when you have to pivot or get creative. Sometimes those unexpected moments become the best part.
What does collaboration mean to you?
I think the best ideas come from building on each other’s, rather than protecting what you have envisioned. Collaboration is about trust, curiosity, and leaving ego at the door. Different combinations of creatives will have different outcomes, I find that really inspiring.
The best part of what you do:
The products.
The part nobody warns you about:
Every head of hair is different and responds differently to the same techniques. Learning to read the hair in front of you and knowing when to adapt is one of the biggest challenges, especially when you’re working with someone for the first time.
What does ‘taste’ mean to you:
Taste isn’t about following trends or showing you know what’s cool. For me, it’s about knowing when to do more, when to do less, and making choices that feel considered rather than obvious.
What’s next for you in 2026 and beyond?
A lot of hair!
Name: Corina
Star sign: Libra
Give us the Corina elevator pitch, who are you and what do you do?
Hi, my name is Corina and I’m a creative director and model. I’ve been studying film for 5 years and my passion lies in directing and script writing. In my spare time I love to create, short films, photoshoots, scripts, anything I can get my hands on. I hope one day with enough practice I will be able to create my own feature film.
What’s going through your head when the camera is on you?
That I hope my mum is proud of me. I have been pursuing modelling since I was 18 years old, and she has been there every step of the way, encouraging me to keep going, especially during the times when I wanted to give up. Now, whenever I am in front of the camera, I think about how fortunate I am to have received the opportunities I have today. I also think about how far I have come, and I hope my mum feels proud of that too.
The best part of what you do:
All the different people I get to meet. Fashion and arts is a very diverse space; everyone has a story to tell and way to tell it whether it’s makeup, fashion, directing etc. The people around me inspire me to express myself so freely and create art that is meaningful to me.
The part nobody warns you about:
The constant comparison. Modelling is quite a competitive industry so sometimes you can’t help but compare yourself to others subconsciously. I think one of the biggest things I’ve learnt over time is that what you see online is often curated. It’s important to remember that everyone has their own timelines and journeys. Life is so long and success can come in many different ways you just have to learn to be patient.
What does ‘taste’ mean to you:
To me, taste is a collection of all my lived experiences and memories. Taste is something that is constantly changing as I experience and take in new things in life. To me taste is a reflection of all the things I have loved and kept for myself.
Name: Emily
Star sign: Sagittarius
Give us your elevator pitch, who are you and what do you do?
Hi! I’m Emily. Modelling always makes me excited with what I get to be next. My look is very versatile for all different styles, and I love getting to see myself in those styles.
Walk us through your creative process for a shoot like this:
I usually go with the flow. I like to take in the atmosphere and adapt to whatever energy. I like observing.
What’s going through your head when the camera is on you?
“I’m curious. I can’t wait to see what this will look like.”
What does collaboration and community mean to you?
I think our true strength as humans is our ability to come together. I believe community is a need the same way sunlight and water is.
The best part of what you do:
The best part is the experience you get from each shoot. Meeting interesting people, hearing about what they do, getting to push the limits of what you know yourself to be through different makeup looks, concepts, and styles.
The part nobody warns you about:
Learning how to put myself out there and build connections has been the hardest for me.
Name: Clive
Star sign: Aquarius
Give us your elevator pitch, who are you and what do you do?
I’m a painter by trade, but consider myself an artist in everything I do, taking a creative approach to all aspects of life. I’m a firm believer in feeling everything strongly and allowing yourself to take up space. I try and emulate the passion I have while painting through fashion, relationships, food, drink... all of those things are one and the same and sacred to me.
Walk us through your creative process for a shoot like this:
Getting acquainted with the crew is the most important step. Share pop culture references and jokes and thoughts and what you are all up to. And get comfortable... when I showed up for this shoot, the first thing I did was eat and try and fix my broken sim card. To me, the studio is not a sacred space where you can’t exist as a human being first. I can’t work well if I feel constrained.
What’s going through your head when the camera is on you?
Mainly trying not to smile from whatever joke was just said. My favourite parts of the shoot are when I’m talking to the photographer. I almost get sad when I have to pose again.
What does collaboration mean to you? And community?
Community is showing up to an event or studio, and knowing a few or all of the people despite not making plans to see them there. It's existing in the same spaces, not always at the same time.. but being in the orbit of people you know are likeminded and will support you as you support them. Collaboration is just what happens naturally when communities form.
The best part of what you do:
Having a hard painting day, and being able to text a friend and get an immediate response agreeing to go out to smoke outside the studios with hands covered in oil paint and share frustrations. Whether I go back in to paint is up to God.
The part nobody warns you about:
Noone else but yourself will give you permission to be kind to yourself, love yourself or take up space. You are the only one that can give you that validation.
What does ‘taste’ mean to you:
Taste is being able to walk into a room of art, or outfits, etc, and immediately make a yes or no decision. And when asked, you can back up that decision with at least 4 reasons why. It's about casting a wide trawl net into the world, and only fishing out what resonates with you, and justifying why it does.
Photography: Nicholas Johnson
Fashion: Elliot Cowen
Hair: Tané van Traa
Assistant: Tahlia Levy-Smith
Features Editor: Chloe Hill
Clive, Corina and Emily are Represented by Shadow
We acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the traditional owners of the land on which this shoot took place.
