Olivier Theyskens is a dreamer, a man whose wandering mind has found inspirations in the world of botany, in the subtle curves of the human form, and in the myths and fairytales of centuries past. The opening story in his magazine NºD is a dramatic, sensual recognition of this fact – diving deep into the Belgian forest to capture the journey of a young girl as she hurries through the hazy, verdant fields.

“Fancy dress, lost princess” was photographed by Xavier Cariou & Damien Beneteau, the French duo formerly known as Les Cyclopes. Their shots capture a playful mystery, as Belgian model Kirsten Pietersromps through the morning mist, her frame draped in metres of fabric by Olivier Theyskens – who improvised each gown for the shoot himself. A white swan stands guard in one image as the heroine flies through the smoke, and in another two peacocks are camouflaged by the dense foliage. Les Cyclopes’ photographs hold the subtle matt quality of watercolour painting, accentuated by the faded pastel hues of the lush flora and Theyskens’ flyaway silks.

Photography: Xavier Cariou & Damien Beneteau
Styling: Improvised gowns by Olivier Theyskens
Hair: Rudi Cremers
Model: Kirsten Pieters

Watch below as Les Cyclopes capture Olivier Theyskens’ world at the house of Rochas in a short film:

[vimeo width="490" height="368"]http://vimeo.com/10798643[/vimeo]