“It has always been instilled in me, the importance of faith and creativity, you know, expressing your truest self and seeing what bites and where it takes you,” says Cristoforo Francesco Brachini, a fresh face on the fashion block. Fresh but definitely fierce. Cristoforo shared his thoughts on faith and creativity in a sit-down interview with Harper’s Bazaar, where he stated, “Showing the world your art is by far the most important thing, whatever that art may be.”
The 22-year-old model, born and raised in Johannesburg, says that growing up in South Africa was “a dream,” emphasizing that the energy there is “indescribable, like no other place in the world.”
Blazer, Tanaka Vintage.
“I’m often homesick. I have a cup of rooibos tea every morning (a South African herbal tea). It takes me right home,” he says.
Cristoforo began his modeling career as a child, appearing in a few commercials, but after the long hours, his parents and he came to the decision to focus on his education, which he remains passionate about.
“I grew up addicted to Tumblr, and of course, I started creating and posting on Instagram. I loved the feeling of being in front of the camera, escaping into my dreamland. I’d play music and have my best friend shoot photos of me. I’d get goosebumps just moving around as she clicked the camera. I loved curating and capturing my personality for the world to see. It was the only time I truly felt understood.”
Shirt, Gulnoza Dilnoza Milano. Blazer, pants and shoes, Mikio Sakabe.
“I was always edgy with the art I liked and created. I enjoyed being perceived one way but actually being another,” Cristoforo explains. He says that his creativity is activated when he’s surrounded by loved ones, reading, or telling a story through pictures.
“I’ve always been different to the average eye, since birth. People would stare and comment on my appearance. Of course, there were those who appreciated my vibe, and those who didn’t—that’s life,” Cristoforo says when asked about his unique look and energy.
Shirt, Gulnoza Dilnoza Milano. Blazer, pants and shoes, Mikio Sakabe.
When asked about the people he idolizes, Cristoforo responds, “True artists. The misunderstood. The ones who are true to their creativity. The ones with edge and power—Marilyn Monroe, of course, Marina Abramović, Kate Moss, John Galliano, Beethoven… They all have a certain energy about them. I hope to be remembered for my art one day.”
Although he was raised in South Africa, Cristoforo grew up in a European household, with his mother being from Greece and his father from Italy. “I went to a Greek school, and I absolutely loved it. I did really well in school, and I speak Greek, Afrikaans, and English, so no regrets there.” He looks back on his time in school as “warm and fun.”
Top, Shokra.
“After graduating high school, I studied psychology at the University of Witwatersrand for a year. Then the pandemic hit, and I thought, okay, I have to get out of my hometown—I have to see the world after this.” A year and a half later, Cristoforo moved to Los Angeles, California, where he has been living ever since, furthering his studies in business sciences as well as entertainment studies.
“I feel like the older I get, the more I appreciate learning. I want to know as much as possible,” Cristoforo says. He believes that the more knowledge you acquire, the more you can create, and his intention has shifted from simply knowing to learning.
Cristoforo plans to take the fashion world by storm, saying he will focus on “taking on projects where I can collaborate and make art, and only doing things that feel authentic to my artistic vision.” He credits his vision boards and intensive visualization for his motivation and success.
Blazer, Michael Ngo.
“You’ve got to be clear and see what you want—career-wise, home-wise, love-wise, fashion-wise, whatever it is you desire,” he explains. “Energy really is everything. If a vibe is bad, it throws off the entire room.”
Cristoforo takes inspiration from all the people in his life but mostly pays tribute to his parents. “My mother and father are my best friends. I am beyond thankful for them. They instilled in me the importance of acting as you wish to attract and matching the frequency of your desired outcome. I realize how blessed I am to have parents to guide me, especially when I get compliments on simple things like manners and being on time.”
“You start to realize, wow, my parents really did do a good job,” he laughs. “I’m extremely friendly, but if I’m quiet or distant, I’m probably anxious.”
Set, Tanaka Vintage. Blazer, Asta Razma.
Cristoforo also plans to learn more about mental health. “I’ve suffered from anxiety my whole life and know what my triggers are and how to deal with them, but sometimes I don’t, and that’s okay too. Mental health is a work in progress—it’s really all about just doing your best.”
He hopes to contribute to the world in a meaningful way, noting, “I’ve seen so many people judged and hurt for just trying to be themselves, and too many children suffer unnecessarily in this world. We, as a society, need to protect the children. The youth is all we’ve got.”
Cristoforo enjoys spending time in nature, writing, reading, and meditating. “I’m definitely a homebody. I love dancing around fields with my crystals on, listening to Lana Del Rey. I’m more sensitive than I look. I still feel like a kid sometimes—well, maybe that’s because I am a kid, haha.”
Shirt, Mikio Sakabe. Jacket, Gulnoza Dilnoza.
“I love writing. I was always good at it, but in twelfth grade, my English teacher saw my talent and told me, and that made all the difference for me.” Before he knew it, he was in advanced English and became a bookworm. “Having someone believe in you can turn a dead flower into a blooming field… It can ignite passion that hides in plain sight.”
“I don’t drink or go out much, so I’d say my guilty pleasure is definitely self-care. Skincare and hair care, to be exact. I love taking care of myself. Less will always be more. My favorite colors are mostly neutrals and red. Red is dangerous yet hopeful and romantic, and neutrals calm my nerves,” he says, adding, “You can never go wrong with a few good neutral pieces.”
On his days off, Cristoforo enjoys writing poetry while browsing art museums. “I love art; I love the idea of perception. I haven’t always been perceived correctly, but then again, who is?”
Cardigan, Nish Niche. Shirt, Mikio Sakabe. Skort, Nish Niche. Shoes, Mikio Sakabe.
He believes that true beauty in being perceived is not making perception the main act but rather focusing on experience and self-development.
Cristoforo plans to continue sharing his art through images and writing, whether the art is “sad, dark, light, peaceful… The place I’m in deserves light and recognition. It’s important for the youth to have reference points, to see diversity and stories they can relate to.” He concludes that if he had one wish for this lifetime, “It would be to just be myself and hopefully inspire others to praise their true, authentic selves in the process. That’s how the most beautiful things happen—by honoring ourselves without judgment and pursuing whatever it is that feeds you most.”
Blazer, Tanaka Vintage. Top, Vetements. Pants, Tanaka Vintage. Shoes, Mikio Sakabe.
Talent: Cristoforo Brachini @cristoforobrachini.
Photography: Reinhardt Kenneth @reinhardtkenneth.
Fashion Stylist: Priscila Natalina @priscillaxns.
HMUA: Jael Serrano @serranostudiosla.
Lighting Director: Hugo Arvizu @arvizu_arts.
Digitech: Suimay Lee @suimaylee.
Fashion Assistant: Nikita Jacob @elizajacob._.
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam
