Photo: Ziqi Xu. Designer: Xinyi Tao.
Designer brands Maŕa Peralta and Unisecon have frequently appeared in fashion media, thanks to the impactful photography of Ziqi Xu. Mastering the skill of using the lens to capture the natural connection between models and designer clothes has been the focal point of Ziqi Xu’s career. Over her many years of photography practice, Xu has gradually developed her unique style, exploring a series of photographs with distinctive themes.
Stylist: Madison Gu Wen.
Born in Chongqing, China, Ziqi Xu’s works often portray the wonderful relationship between humans, animals, and nature. Through her photography, Xu captures casual interactions in life, such as the gazes between people and pets, the coexistence of wild animals with their natural habitats, and the growth of plants in various environments. These fleeting moments, though brief, express the delicate balance between life forms.
Both outfits, Unisecon.
For Ziqi Xu, creating photographic works serves not only to express her aesthetic and artistic ideas but also to convey the importance of maintaining balance in nature, as well as the awe and responsibility we have for every life form. Her works aim to lead the audience to experience the wonderful relationships in which every life form connects and relies on each other in different ways.
Both outfits, Unisecon.
Recently, Xu captured a series of alien-themed photography works that convey her exploration and contemplation about the relationship between life, incorporating interesting story backgrounds and shooting techniques. This work revolves around an alien who arrives on Earth, driven by curiosity and a desire to explore a new environment. While attempting to adapt to the unfamiliar surroundings, the alien also aspires to carve out a new identity for itself in this foreign land—as a singer. Within this narrative, themes of ambition and exploration are conveyed. As a new life form encounters a strange world, it grapples with the challenges of adaptation while naturally showcasing its inherent peculiarity and sense of humor.
The style of this series remains consistent with, yet distinct from, Ziqi Xu’s usual methods. She creates a vivid, surreal atmosphere using vibrant colors and flashes of light, giving each scene a dreamy hue and lending an unreal quality to the viewer’s experience. This emphasizes the efforts and sincerity of the aliens in this strange environment, as well as the contrasting nature of the weird world in which they live. This collection of alien-themed works holds special significance, whimsically but profoundly reflecting the journey people undertake when chasing their dreams and venturing into unknown territories. It also serves as a reflection of the inner contemplations experienced by individuals who feel out of place in their environment yet strive to find a sense of belonging.
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam
