FREEDOM

Amongst the clouds, untethered

Freedom is so much more than a word. It is full with a gravity felt by Ukrainians, Iranians and too many individuals and communities around the world who are fighting for the freedom that should be inherently their own. In times of peace, freedom can be worn subtly but joyfully; however when threatened, freedom becomes heavier, robust, even invigorating. May all those fighting for their rights around the world wear their freedom like armour.

Prompted by the events in Ukraine, ZOOT beauty editor Antonia Rosa gathered an inspired team to illustrate the meaning of freedom and what is at stake when we risk losing it. The Freedom editorial was photographed on the rooftop of Lisbon’s famous Lux/Fragil, but the team chose to forego the iconic view of the city. The focus is instead on the sky: an everlasting symbol of freedom and expansiveness as well as a reminder of human connection.

The shoot is a gorgeous depiction of what a diverse team of models and creatives can do together with their own visions and sky-high dreams of freedom. We invite the viewer, too, to think about what freedom means to them.

Words by Michela Doyle

Photography Sergio Santos
Assisted by Luana Piedade
Beauty editor Antonia Rosa using Maqpro
Assisted by Frederico and Joana Lopes
Hair Helena Vaz Pereira at Griffe Hairstyle using L´Oréal Professionnel Paris
João Silva and Paulo Vieira using Joico
Styling Ruben Osório
Assisted by Vasco Sobreiro • Rebeca Zola • Renan Siqueira
Production M ichelle Silva assisted by Brunna Rangel
in partnership with ETIC Lisbon

Music Rui Vargas and Hugo Caldeira Vinagre

Models Ines Monteiro at WeAreModels • Beatriz Marxen at Karacter Agency • Kacper Rychlinski at Central Models • Maria Miguel Silva at Central Models • Sebastian Hubert at Central Models • Lotte de Boer at Elite Lisbon • Tainá Souza at L’Agence Lisboa • Silvio Dalesio at WeAreModels • Thais Borges at Elite Lisbon

Special thanks to Lucia Azevedo at Lux Frágil for location

Collages by Guido Avelino
Quotes edited by Fernanda Russomano

Freedom means everything. I was born free and should be free forever. I’m not afraid of losing my freedom because if they steal it, it dies and so do I: that’s how I’m free again. … I am 56 years old and I never thought that something like this [the war in Ukraine] could happen to the world again. I have “lived” two wars: one at home in my childhood listening to the stories of my grandfather who was a prisoner in the second World War for five years, and now this war against a virus. But I can’t imagine waking up in the morning and the world has changed, and to be left with nothing of the result of my sweat. I think we should live/love in everything we do, every day.
– Antonia Rosa, ZOOT beauty editor

INÊS MONTEIRO

@ines_monteiro02
Samora Correia, Portugal

For me freedom is the condition of those who make them capable of being, saying or doing independently what seems right, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the other’s ability to do just the same.
– Inês Monteiro

Top with attached dress by ALEXANDRA MOURA; denim skirt by HIBU; necklace by LAGE; ring by ROCHA CARVAO.

Luckily for me the war in Ukraine did not make me change my life overnight, nor did it make me have to witness people that I love suffer. It did make me extremely disappointed in our society and motivated me to try to help in any way I can.
– Inês Monteiro

If I could I would make it possible for everyone to be able to benefit from human rights.
– Inês Monteiro

BEATRIZ MARXEN

@beamarxen
Germany / Brazil

Freedom means being independent and having the ability to choose.
– Beatriz Marxen

The number one thing I would change in the world if I could would be to stop all wars somehow.
– Beatriz Marxen

Jacket and skirt by DINO ALVES; shirt by MASSIMO DUTTI; pants by ALEXANDRA MOURA; shoes by MANGO.

KACPER RYCHILINKS

@kacperys
Poland

Freedom: Not having boundaries, being able to express myself without having to worry about what others might think. Walk the way I wanna walk, talk the way I wanna talk, dress the way I wanna dress, say what I wanna say, and most importantly be who I wanna be. That’s what freedom is and means to me.
– Kascper Rychilinks

Shirt by BALENCIAGA, skirt by PACO RABANNE both at FASHION CLINIC; shoes by ALEXANDRA MOURA; bag by MANGO.

LOTTE DE BOER

@lotte.d.boer
Neatherlands

Top by HIBU; skirt by ALVES GONCALVES; earrings by ANA VASCONCELOS.

“For me freedom means being able to express yourself for who you are and who you want to be. It also means getting to choose what and where you want to be in your life.” – Lotte de Boer

MARIA MIGUEL SILVA

@mariamiguel.silvaa
Portugal

Shirt by ALEXANDRA MOURA; jewellery by LAGE.

SEBASTIAN HUBERT

@sebastian_hubert_
Portugal / Argentina

Top by DINO ALVES; blazer by RICARDO ANDREZ; pants by MARIA CLARA.

For me freedom is life, enjoying a moment that I chose to have, going out to walk the streets or choosing to stay at home, because what I choose I will enjoy and freedom for me is enjoying life.
– Sebastian Hubert

I feel bad just thinking that there are still people who think they can end the lives of others for something material… we are more than that… but people forget that…
– Sebastian Hubert

TAINÁ SOUZA

@taina.monteiro
Brazil

I feel most free in the middle of the ocean. Floating. As if there was nothing around me. Just a great peace and my light body overlooking the sky above.
– Tainá Monteiro

I would want people to stop eating meat and there to be respect for these animals, just as we have respect for domestic animals.
– Tainá Monteiro

SILVIO DALESIO

@silviodalesio.png
Angola

Freedom means the ability to make your own choices and live life to the fullest. – Silvio Dalesio

I don’t feel free sometimes when I overthink and get stuck in the same loop of thought that ends up ruining my whole day.
– Silvio Dalesio

Shirt and skirt by BALENCIAHA, both at FASHION CLINIC.

THAIS BORGES

@thaisborgesbr
Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Freedom to me is when you can be yourself – your true self – and don’t bother about what other people think of you.
– Thais Borges

The moments I feel free are those where I can express my art by dancing, posing, singing.
– Thais Borges

If I could change something in this world, it would be to not have inequality anymore. Because the world is full of creative and hardworking people who cannot achieve their full potential due to the lack of opportunities.
– Thais Borges