The Florentine house of Gucci has known many rebirths (and a notable death). Ever since Alessandro Michele was appointed creative director in January 2015, the latest renaissance needed someone to capture its newly magnetic essence. Enter Glen Luchford, the highly sought-after Brighton-born photographer-cum-Venice Beach hotelier, who was already shooting for The Face at age 19. His unique eye put the decisive stamp on Gucci’s successful new era and this happy marriage has carried on into Pre-Fall 2017 with a remarkable new campaign called ‘Soul Scene’, featuring an all-black cast of models and dancers.

Inspired by the work of the celebrated late photographer Malick Sidibé – whose black and white images of black culture, style and dance will remain forever iconic – and the 1960s Northern Soul movement as well as the “Made You Look” expo celebrating black dandyism and masculinity, Glen Luchford created a standout amongst fashion campaigns of the year. The shoot was teased in January, to some criticism, but the final result is chockfull of exactly what fashion campaigns so often lack: carefree black boys and girls just glowing in looks for days. The main models are stunners like Bakay Diaby, Nicole Atieno and Keiron Caynes and they are joined by 25 other dancers. It gives me visions of what I think my dad and his friends would have been stunting in in the local dancehall. More of this, please.

Photography: Glen Luchford
Creative direction: Alessandro Michele
Art direction: Christopher Simmonds