Modern Luxury: Orange County Cover

For this cover with Modern Luxury Riviera featuring Durana Elmi, I wanted to root the story in identity, heritage, and earned success.

The Afghan hounds were a very intentional choice—they directly reference her Afghan background while symbolizing elegance, status, and lineage. There’s a quiet power in pairing her with them; it ties cultural identity to luxury over-explaining it.

Her stance is strong and grounded, almost unmoving. I directed her to hold presence rather than perform—she’s not chasing attention, she naturally commands it. The hat frames her face in a way that adds authority and a sense of mystery, pulling focus to her gaze.

The red Hermès look was about control and visibility. It’s bold, precise, and unmistakably elevated—speaking to where she is now, while contrasting the narratives often placed on Afghan women.

Overall, the image is about redefining expectation. It presents her not as an exception, but as someone who fully owns her space, her culture, and her success.

Role: Art Direction, Coordination on-site, Directing w/ photographer