all content copyright the artist. no commercial use without express written permission.
ilya
DESCRIPTION:
This project holds a special place in my heart, as it tells the story of my dear friend, Ilya. We met during a particularly challenging period in my life, and at the time, I didn’t think much of our acquaintance. However, as we both navigated personal hardships, our connection deepened into a meaningful friendship. I eventually learned Ilya’s story. He fled to the UK as an asylum seeker, searching for a better, more fulfilling life than the one he faced as a gay man in Russia. Ilya is an artist and a creator. He designs garments and paints in his spare time, balancing his creative pursuits with work at the web and graphic design company he runs with his partner. In this editorial, I aim to reveal the true face and emotions of Ilya, seen through the lens of his partner, Sasha. Ilya wears his designs, and the shoot takes place in their apartment, within the intimate spaces of their room, bathroom, and studio, where their creativity flourishes.
TEAM:
PHOTOGRAPHER: sasha kosakowski
STYLIST + creative DIRECTOR: YVONNA POLIVEANI
MODEL: ilya dreamy
2025
ilya
description:
This project holds a special place in my heart, as it tells the story of my dear friend, Ilya. We met during a particularly challenging period in my life, and at the time, I didn’t think much of our acquaintance. However, as we both navigated personal hardships, our connection deepened into a meaningful friendship. I eventually learned Ilya’s story. He fled to the UK as an asylum seeker, searching for a better, more fulfilling life than the one he faced as a gay man in Russia. Ilya is an artist and a creator. He designs garments and paints in his spare time, balancing his creative pursuits with work at the web and graphic design company he runs with his partner. In this editorial, I aim to reveal the true face and emotions of Ilya, seen through the lens of his partner, Sasha. Ilya wears his designs, and the shoot takes place in their apartment, within the intimate spaces of their room, bathroom, and studio, where their creativity flourishes.
all content copyright the artist. no commercial use without express written permission.
team:
Photographer: sasha kosakowski |
Stylist + creative director: Yvonna Poliveani
model: ilya dreamy
