UK Esquire Autumn 2023 : Paul Mescal by Simon Emmett

[Marc10]

 

[KoV]

I keep forgetting and then being re-shocked by the fact he’s only in his mid-20s.

 

[MulletProof]

^ I remember seeing him in Normal People and wondering how did he get cast lol, he did not look like a teenager, more like 31. He has that type of face (thin lips, deep frown line).

I’m not sure how sustainable the overexposure will be in the long run, but he does make nice choices in his day job and pushes himself.. loved his dancing Carmen.

 

[Phuel]

^^^ Feast your eyes on that mullet...

Some men just look much older then they really are. At least he has all his hair… There are so many men in their mid-20s with premature hairloss.

The shoot is hideous. With just a single shot by Mario Sorrenti in American Bazaar blowing away this entire shoot, it really showcases the difference between a genuine talent and just a passable photographer. Simon Emmett (never heard of the name) shoots Paul with all the cliches of celebrity photography: Serious face; thoughtful face; casual face and pose; and of course-- the ultimate cringe celeb mugshot: Fake laughing with the head thrown back.

The only decent story is with boxer Richard Riakporhe "Undefeated". Unfortunate the cheesy gladiator/warrior styling brings the cringe factor. Had they kept the leatherwear styling to a subversive hint at Tom of Finland wink, the camp charm would have been successful since the Gavin Bond’s photography is really solid, and Richard is a supreme-looking man.

The one other fashion story “Ends the Land Suddenly” by Tom Craig is a whopping 22pg story… of depressing styling and imagery, ideal for “This is the coastal town, that they forgot to close down. Everyday is like Sunday. Everyday is silent and grey."

168pg

 

[Benn98]

^ I remember seeing him in Normal People and wondering how did he get cast lol, he did not look like a teenager, more like 31. He has that type of face (thin lips, deep frown line).

I’m not sure how sustainable the overexposure will be in the long run, but he does make nice choices in his day job and pushes himself.. loved his dancing Carmen.

Also is that premature greying in the first cover? I refuse to believe he's in his mid-20s, maybe he's lying about his age.

I like the second cover. Nice to see something that's simple, modern and style-forward for a change, which I'm sure would resonate with men who are all about substance and actually into the lifestyle that Esquire is peddling. These are not the men who live on Instagram. They don't want to see thirst-trapping and theatrics all the time.

Simon Emmett is actually a solid portrait photographer. Maybe it's just this one shoot that let him down. I mean he also works for Icon and The Rake.

 

[MyNameIs]

I don’t know why he (or whoever styles him) insists on making himself look ugly. He's so sexy in movies (The Lost Daughter, Aftersun, etc), but this attempt at looking eDgY does him no favors.

 

[Phuel]

Simon Emmett is actually a solid portrait photographer. Maybe it's just this one shoot that let him down. I mean he also works for Icon and The Rake.

Will need to revisit older issues of ICON and see what this Simon person is capable of.

It’s technically-competent photography, and god knows in these days when the hyped chosen ones aren’t even capable of any basic techniques, he deserves a pass alone for basic understanding of the contrast that lighting/shadow creates on the human form. Just that they’re such a set of basic poses, with the even worse offender of a combination of in-studio against a white seamless and let’s-step-outside-to-the-parking-lot-and-pose-against-the-brick-wall. Could it be any more creatively bankrupt…??? Whereas Mario captured an effortless, masculine smoulder, sharp and striking composition and the power to sell Gucci’s merch with a single shot:

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