Designer Ruslan Baginskiy reveals a special shoot with supermodel Alton Mason. The shoot, produced during Paris Fashion Week this September, explores connections between fashion and identity and expands on the friendship the two creatives share with the project’s symbolic release on Alton’s birthday.

Ukrainian hat designer Ruslan Baginskiy and supermodel Alton Mason joined creative forces for a special photo project, shot by Rafik Greiss, an Irish-born Egyptian artist based in Paris, France.

Designer Ruslan Baginskiy, aware of Alton’s love for headwear, chose pieces from the brand’s FW23/24 collection and especially crafted some of the hats to highlight different sides of Alton’s personality while showcasing the intricate craftwork and creativity that has become synonymous with the Ruslan Baginskiy brand. The shoot features the brand’s signature baker boy caps, as well as the new ‘hair hat’, houstka headscarf and oversized wool scarf.

“I know Alton’s love for hats, so we had some of the pieces crafted especially for the shoot. Among Alton’s countless talents is his multifacetedness and brave individuality. I think hats are the perfect way to highlight those qualities. They are always a very personal object that. A great example of the deeper relationship we build with our clothes and with fashion in general. That’s important to both of us,” shares Ruslan.

Resulting images display the shared passion for creativity and self-expression that unites the two in the industry. A testament to the transformative power of fashion, showcasing how hats, as personal artefacts, can mirror one’s personality and symbolize the relationship between individuals and what they wear.

TEAM:
model ALTON MASON @ 6am.models
photography RAFIK GREISS
makeup YULYA ZALESSKAYA
hair MARY TSYHYLYK
production BOUNDLESSPARIS