MILAN — Just a year after Spring Studios launched its emerging talent platform, it has turned it into an itinerant exhibit that debuted in Paris and Milan.
Last June, the New York City, London and Milan-based multidisciplinary creative firm launched its first edition of “Ode,” a limited annual publication that combined contemporary and visual art, photography and texts of forward-thinkers ranging in age from 26 to 45 — emboldening them with “free artistic expression.” The first edition was named “Ode to Rebirth” and brought together the work of photographers, designers and even a hairdresser who could be the next glossy go-tos.
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In Milan on Wednesday, the Milan team presented the second edition of the publication named “Ode to Wonder” and cut the ribbon on an exhibit at concept store 10 Corso Como. The showcase is open to the public until June 4 with images from the current issue. Spring Studios said the exhibition highlights both the talents’ creative freedom and collaborations with brands like Marni and Sunnei, exemplifying a modern approach to wonder and innovation.
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“Ode to Wonder” debuted in Paris on May 22, in collaboration with LVMH Métiers d’Art.
“This issue pushed every boundary, from the number of emerging talents to the bold visions of the creatives. We showcased greater cultural and visual diversity, and we’re proud that our Ode talents embraced the challenge — delivering powerful, daring, surprising, and sometimes even polarizing or provocative perspectives on Wonder,” explained Spring Studios Milan creative director Anouk Jans at a private viewing. Jans explained that Spring Studios received an overwhelming number of entries and noted that the median age was lower than the year before.
Artists like Paris-based fashion photographer Aurora Troise and Milan-based graphic designer Pauline Jocher are in their early 20s, she said.
Jans and Spring Studio Milan’s president GianMario Motta founded Ode on the growing desire for word-of-mouth talent, who possess the same fierceness unleashed when John Galliano presented his magical Artisanal Collection for Maison Margiela.
This time, the issue pushed even more boundaries, he said. “The most captivating aspect of this project was how our talents’ diverse cultural backgrounds influenced their storytelling. All talents involved brought a never-before-seen perspective to the issue, offering unique and original viewpoints,” he said.
Artists like Paris-based photographer Francesc Planes created a series of photos exploring Hormuz and Qeshm, two islands near southern Iran renowned for their red mountains, black sand beaches, and hidden caves — portraying the masked women of Bandari culture.
Meanwhile, South Korean photographer Jimin Son captured the spirt of martial arts masters and demonstrated how everyday practitioners preserve their heritage, creating a connection to the theme of Wonder, he explained.
Founded in London in the late ’90s, Spring Studios started strictly as a studio space for still and motion shoots. As the studios hosted increasingly more leading photographers, publications and brands, the company expanded, building audiences within fashion, beauty and luxury and creating leading campaigns, content and high-end cultural events. In 2013, the agency expanded to New York, with a full studio, events and production, and in 2017 Spring Studios opened offices in Milan. The list of clients of Spring Studios over the years has been varied, ranging from Victoria Beckham to Ginori 1735 and from Louis Vuitton to Toyota.
Jans rose to fame at 13 years old as one of the first bloggers in Germany. She started generating an income at the age of 15 writing columns. She opened her own agency at 22 dedicated to creating campaigns for global brands.
During the launch of Ode, Motta contended that all but one of the creatives chosen for the inaugural edition has ever worked for Spring Studios, and a small investment was made in aiding these individuals in bringing their vision to life, whether for props or location permits. In addition, photographers were told to embrace fashion and accessories that weren’t beholden to brands or any firms for total artistic freedom. Jans agreed, echoing the platform and publication’s potential to identify the next industry giants.