Capturing Silk: Behind the Campaign for Leo & Lumiere’s Silk Dresses

July 16, 2024

A fashion campaign for Leo & Lumiere, featuring the brand’s pure silk collection photographed in a private country residence and shaped by bold colour, natural light and understated luxury.

Created as a campaign for Leo & Lumiere, the shoot brought photographer Victor Hawk and me together to photograph the brand’s collection of pure silk dresses. Set in a private country residence with expansive interiors, landscaped grounds and a pool, the location became an integral part of the visual narrative, creating a sense of understated luxury around the collection.

The brand’s visual direction drew inspiration from the bold elegance of YSL, reinterpreted through colour, natural light and the fluid movement of silk. Moving between the interiors, gardens and poolside setting, we created a series of images that placed the collection within an aspirational lifestyle world — refined, sensual and cinematic.

Poolside luxury photography in Sydney. Maria Poleshchuk, commercial photographer in Sydney

Two women by a poolside wearing elegant burnt orange silk dresses from Leo & Lumiere’s “Shades of Umber & Gold” collection, photographed in a luxurious outdoor setting.

“Shades of Umber & Gold” collection by Leo & Lumiere

A young woman by a poolside wearing an elegant burnt orange silk dress from Leo & Lumiere’s “Shades of Umber & Gold” collection, photographed in a luxurious outdoor setting.

Leo & Lumiere is a story of contrast and harmony. Leo represents the roar — raw energy and strength; Lumiere represents the glow — softness and grace. Together, they shape a brand identity that is bold yet elegant, fierce yet feminine.

The brand focuses on luxurious materials. The Capri Collection, for example, is crafted from 100% mulberry silk, with rich colours inspired by Capri and prints created with Pink Pineapple Designs. Sustainability is also central to the brand’s approach, with an emphasis on responsible materials, thoughtful processes and careful craftsmanship.

The Shoot: Atmosphere, Light, Emotion

I photographed pieces from Leo & Lumiere’s “Shades of Umber & Gold” capsule, also known as the Trésor — Umber & Gold print collection. Warm earth tones, luminous accents and the natural sheen of silk became central elements of the imagery.

I worked with the available light and the character of the location to emphasise the richness of the collection: golden-hour light brought warmth and luminosity to the silk, while the residence’s warm woods, textured surfaces and gold details complemented the earthy palette. Movement was equally important — allowing the silk to flow, fold and catch the light revealed its fluidity and natural lustre.

Throughout the shoot, contrasts between structure and movement, strength and softness, light and shadow echoed the duality at the heart of the Leo & Lumiere identity.

What This Campaign Means

This campaign is not only about dresses. It is about identity — a woman who embodies both softness and power and expresses herself with confidence. Leo & Lumiere’s silk pieces become a material expression of that duality: gentle in touch yet strong in form, light in movement yet bold in colour.

For me, photographing this story was about translating those contrasts into imagery — creating a sense of quiet rebellion, grace grounded in strength, and confidence that radiates from within.

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