Milena Smit - Interview

MILENA SMIT
*Between Frames

written + interview Alban E. Smajli

Milena Smit moves through cinema with an intuitive force. As an actor, she absorbs characters at their core, shaping them from within. A script carries an atmosphere that guides her, each role unfolding through presence and instinct.

Her first rehearsal with Pedro Almodóvar and Penélope Cruz marked a shift. The industry took notice. Without formal training, she learned on set, refining her craft through experience and deep collaboration.

Time on set is fluid, shaped by waiting, by intensity, by the energy of those around her. Beyond acting, new ambitions form—studies, personal growth, the idea of motherhood. Every role, every decision, every moment exists fully in its own space.

dress ISABEL SANCHÍS
jewelry YVES SAINT LAURENT
heels FERRAGAMO

Alban E. Smajli
When you take on a role, do you see it as an act of becoming—or of undoing?

Milena Smit
For me, the key is learning to work with the emotions of the characters while disconnecting from those that might trigger my own personal wounds. I used to rely on my own emotions and experiences, but it took a heavy toll on my mental health.

What does “Ephemeral” mean to you in an era that’s obsessed with capturing and archiving everything?

Being present, so those small moments don’t slip by unnoticed.

Do you think cinema is closer to memory or to dreaming?


I believe it’s a perfect blend of memory and dreams, with a touch of magic added.

Is there a single moment in your career so far that you wish you could bottle up and keep forever?

The first rehearsal I had with Pedro Almodóvar and Penélope Cruz in their office, back when I still didn’t know if I was going to play Ana in Parallel Mothers.

When the script is in your hands, what pulls you in first? Is it the story, the silence between the words, or the world it creates?


The aura of the script, the energy conveyed by the story and the character.

Your work feels like you’ve found beauty in imperfection. How much of that is you, and how much comes from surrendering to the process?

I try to approach everything I do from instinct and gut feelings. I don’t have much experience with technique, since my school has been the work itself and the people I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with on various projects.

What’s more exciting to you, playing a character who feels like home or one that feels completely foreign?

I like the duality of both. I wouldn’t know which one to choose.

If your life were a film, what genre would it be today? Would tomorrow maybe be something else?


Right now, it would be a documentary about spirituality (laughs), but there have been moments of everything—drama, horror, romantic comedy…

What’s your relationship with time when you’re on set? Does it move too fast or too slow?

It depends on the day. On set, there’s always a lot of waiting, but I try to bring a book for those moments or enjoy the time with my colleagues. However, there are also days that are tough.

What excites you most about the worlds you’re bringing to life next?

Fulfilling other dreams, like continuing my studies, growing personally, becoming a mother someday, and living precious moments with my family.

total look DSQUARED2

dress HHABEY CLUB
shoes JIMMY CHOO

“I used to rely on my own emotions and experiences, but it took a heavy toll on my mental health.”

Milena Smit speaks with Alban E. Smajli
for LE MILE Issue 38 / Ephemeral Edition SS25

full look SAINT LAURENT

full look LOEWE
jewelry BULGARI

full look ARMANI
jewelry BULGARI

talent MILENA SMIT
photographer LEIRE CAVIA
set designer JOSEFINA MAIZA
stylist MANU MENDI
make up + hair REBECA TRILLO-FIGUEROA using YSL Beauty
photo assistants ALBERTO FERNANDEZ + NICOLE WAR + ELENA DIAZ
set assistan t DELFINA AYERZA
stylist assistants RAUL GONZALEZ + MARIA GADEZ

Thanks to CRAM TALENT

Elizabeth Dulau - Interview

ELIZABETH DULAU
*Transformation Characters Across Star Wars, Netflix & Stage

written + interview Alban E. Smajli

Actor Elizabeth Dulau is entering a season shaped by roles with weight—political, historical, emotional. As Kleya Marki in Andor, she returns to the Star Wars universe for its final chapter, joining Diego Luna and Stellan Skarsgård.

Her presence remains precise and charged with a quiet urgency. In House of Guinness, created by Steven Knight for Netflix, she plays Lady Henrietta. The story follows the Guinness family across Ireland and New York in the 19th century, navigating legacy and fracture after the death of Benjamin Guinness. Dulau also voices the Piebald Deer in Wicked, a brief but memorable role.

She has appeared in Maternal, All The Light We Cannot See, The Outlaws, and Gentleman Jack, building a body of work that feels grounded and deliberate. Each performance speaks in its own register. In this interview, Elizabeth shares thoughts on transformation, emotional access, and the quieter moments that shape a role.

dress SPORTMAX
earrings BONVO

Alban E. Smajli
You’re orbiting galaxies in Andor, slipping into corsets for House of Guinness, and voicing trembling deer in Wicked—what does it feel like to be a shapeshifter in a world constantly asking for identity?

Elizabeth Dulau
Yeah, this is an important discussion. I am a firm believer that actors should be allowed to transform into people far removed from themselves but there are boundaries that shouldn’t be crossed. There are some lanes that I very clearly do not belong in and that’s ok, that’s someone else’s lane. There’s still scope for shapeshifting within the lanes available to you.

I think it’s also important to acknowledge however, that a person’s identity can in many ways change throughout their life. This pressure to clearly define oneself is something that feels counterintuitive to me. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realised actually being more of a shapeshifter in some respects feels natural to me and maybe that is part of my identity. It allows for growth and change and playing and to be honest that is why I’m drawn to being an actor. It allows me to really explore all the different sides of myself. To be honest, none of the roles I’ve played (yes, even the deer in Wicked) feel like someone other than myself. Every character feels like a singular thread of myself I pull on and enhance in order to transform.

The industry often feels like a theatre within a theatre. Where do you find the unscripted moments that still feel real?

I think these moments are found in the people you meet. Every now and then you’ll come across a real gem of a person with whom you can drop any professional guard and just be a messy human. I’ve certainly found that with Jacob James Beswick on Andor and Jennifer Macbeth on Maternal. People like them don’t come along often and I think it’s important to sit up and take notice when they do.

House of Guinness is soaked in legacy and loss. How do you personally move through stories drenched in history without getting stuck in the past?

When playing any character that is in a situation far removed from your own it’s important to remind yourself that your shared humanity connects you. Yes, do your research on the world in which they live, the etiquette, the politics, the faith systems but they are still a flawed person just like you. They will feel love, desire, rage, jealousy, grief and you can access their inner lives through your own experience of these things.

You’ve been part of massive universes (Star Wars) and deeply intimate dramas (Maternal). Which scale do you dream in?

My god I LOVE this question! I think my dreams range throughout many different scales. I am a big daydreamer and was often made to think it was a problem. I was constantly told to stop daydreaming and concentrate! But I realised while I was at drama school that my daydreaming is what helps me connect to my characters. I can happily spend hours dreaming up backstories for my characters to enrich their presence. I like to take the same approach to my own life too, dreaming up an ideal future for myself to then take steps towards it.

Fashion—do you see it as armour, as performance, or as rebellion? Or something more private?

I see it as all of the above. Fashion is one of the most accessible forms of self-expression and we’re always expressing ourselves with it whether we realise it or not. What we choose to cover ourselves with externally reflects something that’s going on internally. Maybe it’s a front, armour, a performance or a truly authentic expression of how we’re feeling in that moment. I love using fashion as a mode of creativity and character. When filming self-tapes for an audition, a really easy way to feel like that character might be throwing on a shirt or a pair of shoes that make you walk differently. In our everyday lives we can put on a different combination of pieces that make us feel like a subtly different version of ourselves and that feels so exciting to me.

dress + shoes SPORTMAX
earrings BONVO

coat SELF-PORTRAIT
tights FALKE
shoes ROGER VIVIER
belt + earrings FASHION ARCHIVE

“None of the roles I’ve played (yes, even the deer in Wicked) feel like someone other than myself.”

Elizabeth Dulau speaks with Alban E. Smajli
for LE MILE Digital SS25

How do you prepare for a role that requires emotional submersion—but still demands you show up, camera-ready, hair lit, line perfect?

All the camera-ready elements I don’t even think about. That’s someone else’s job. I let them look after that. As for the emotional submersion, there are a combination of factors at play. Good prep is always a winner. Again, I will often use daydreaming in the run up to a shoot to flesh out their life. I also use music a lot. Music accesses a part of our brains that logic simply can’t, so I create various playlists for each character and just before we shoot I’ll listen to a song that’s helpful. But the moment the director calls action I let go of all that prep and just focus on my scene partner, trying to change them and allowing myself to be changed by them. You have to trust that all your prep is there in the background without you having to hold on to it.

There’s a certain hush in your roles—quiet strength, subversion, layered tension. Where does that stillness come from?

I think this comes from a certain amount of internal conflict. I’m often drawn to characters whose outer projection is quite different to their inner lives. Kleya for example has a very cold and controlled exterior but I played her with the conviction that deep underneath all those external layers is someone who loves very deeply and holds a lot of hurt and rage. There’s something a little wild in her. I think this sense of stillness is born from the tension between those inner and outer lives. I’m suspended between the two.

Imagine a film directed by your future self—what genre would it be, and what would the costume department look like?

I’m very intrigued by sci-fi actually. I think it’s a really useful tool with which to ask questions about our world. And I have lots of questions! The costumes would probably be pretty elaborate. I’d need to get Michael Wilkinson on the team!

You’ve been part of a galaxy far, far away and now a dynasty built on stout. What story hasn’t been told yet, that you're dying to step inside?

I’m really inspired by filmmakers like Mark Ruffalo who use film as a form of activism, shining a light on important issues. Personally, I think there are more stories that need to be told about the climate crisis because there’s still so much apathy towards this issue.

The real change would only come about when government and major corporations commit to change but I believe we could bring about that change if we collectively put enough pressure on them. There’s so much potential for film and TV to create social movements, just look at Netflix’s Adolescence or ITV’s Mr Bates vs the Post Office. Both dramas created such a huge public response that the government took action and maybe there’s scope to do the same with the climate crisis.

talent ELIZABETH DULAU
photographer ANTONIO EUGENIO
stylist PRUE FISHER
hair ERIKA NEUMANN
male up PHOEBE HEARD
photographer assistant DANIEL EYNON

Special thanks to Grace Yeoman, PR Pinnacle

blazer ARMANI EXCHANGE
trouser ARMANI EXCHANGE
bra INTIMISSIMI
shoes MANOLO BLAHNIK
earrings FASHION ARCHIVE

coat THE FRANKIE SHOP
tights FALKE
earrings MISHO

shirt + shorts THE FRANKIE SHOP
tights FALKE
shoes MANOLO BLAHNIK
earrings MISHO
belt FASHION ARCHIVE

“Fashion is one of the most accessible forms of self-expression… What we choose to cover ourselves with externally reflects something that’s going on internally.”

Elizabeth Dulau speaks with Alban E. Smajli
for LE MILE Digital SS25

Kyshan Wilson - Interview

.aesthetic talk
The Multifaceted Prism of
KYSHAN WILSON

written + interview Chidozie Obasi

When it comes to a grounded star quality, many can only dream of having the determination, skill and poise possessed by Kyshan Claire Wilson.

After her noteworthy appearance in the acclaimed fiction Mare Fuori, the rising talent has made herself between the allusive streets of East London and Naples. But, while a domination of one of the world’s most coveted industries would be a career-high for some, it’s not what the multi-faceted actress plans on seeking for just yet: from moments of doubt to gushes of thrill, the actress began to exceed her own expectations and transcend career boundaries on her own terms, cementing her as a rising star worthy of the name.

total look LOUIS VUITTON

TEAM CREDITS

seen NICOLÒ PARSENZIANI
fashion director + stylist CHIDOZIE OBASI
head of production JESSICA LOVATO
fashion coordinator DAVIDE BELOTTI
grooming CRISTINA CROSARA via THE GREEN APPLE ITALIA
set design IRENE COVERI
video VALENTINA GILARDONI

digital EDOARDO MONTACCINI
talent KYSHAN WILSON via WHYNOT MODELS
light assistant GIUSEPPE PALAZZOLO
production assistant ANJA MENEGON
fashion assistants ISABELLA PETROCCHI + LILLY PADILLA + VALENTINA VURCHIO

blazer ACN N1
shirt GRIFONI
top + shorts SANDRO
pants ALBERTA FERRETTI
bracelets DOLCE & GABBANA
loafers CHURCH’S

“I'm a black woman, I’m perceived by the world as a black woman and I identify as one. But I'm not going to act like I'm not aware of my mixed privilege, being mixed.”

Kyshan Wilson speaks with Chidozie Obasi
for LE MILE .Digital

total look LORO PIANA

total look PRADA

watch film

filmed VALENTINA GILARDONI

film assistant LUCA ZITO

“Both professionally and personally, I've been on sets that have inspired me a lot artistically,” she says, the moment we begin to settle into our conversation. “I've been around people that have made me more driven, but I've always been ambitious.” However, in an industry where saturation is increasingly commonplace, there are moments able to hit one’s stride with troubled force. “There are times when you get less auditions, and that ambition doesn't go away, but it can drift in and out. This year, I've met people that have really lit that fire in me again, so I'm really grateful.”

Wilson’s first memory of film has been the experience of viewing an eclectic array of products both on TV and in cinema. “I've always loved being able to live someone else's life, whether that be for an hour or three,” she reminisces. “I've always loved the kind of escape from reality, which can sound bleak, but it was always that for me.”

Wilson recalls having this dream that didn't feel tangible while growing up, not being part of the industry’s nepotism and without connections. “It almost felt that it wasn't the path set out for me,” she explains. As a kid, she forced everyone in her family to watch hour-long shows, which helped her to unleash her inner potential. “The first time I realised that this could be a career was with Mare Fuori, when I started the auditioning process which kind of came out of nowhere,” she opines. “It was this surreal, emotional moment where all of little Ky's dreams were coming true.”

As a woman of great poise, Wilson credits her mother as a main source of inspiration throughout her life. “She was and still is a single mum, and the strength she had to move us into a different country all on her own while always providing on her own has definitely been the biggest element that makes her a role model,” she says, explaining how “she'd be surprised to hear this.” Wilson deems her entire family an anchor. “They’re not afraid to tell me when I'm doing too much or how privileged I am to be in my position at times, and I think that's very important to have people that stabilise you.”

jacket FENDI
shirt BLAZE MILANO
skirt FERRAGAMO
necklace ILENIA CORTI

blazer PHILOSOPHY di LORENZO SERAFINI
pants MARK KENLY DOMINO TAN
socks PAUL SMITH
shoes DR MARTENS

“I want to be a Bond girl! Maybe if I put it into the universe, it will come to fruition.”

Kyshan Wilson speaks with Chidozie Obasi
for LE MILE .Digital

coat PAUL SMITH
sweater AVANT TOI
shirt AVIU
skirts VIVETTA
jewels DOLCE & GABBANA

coat + tights JIL SANDER by LUCIE & LUKE MEIER
top FERRAGAMO
skirt AVIU
shoes DOLCE & GABBANA

When speaking on her role in the fiction Mare Fuori, Wilson—named Kubra in the series—speaks frankly about the impact and the relevance her role had in relation to the broader context of the script, which portrayed her as the daughter of a troubled prostitute harassed by male toxicity. “I find this really interesting because my thoughts on Kubra specifically, in Mare Fuori, aren't maybe what you would expect, because the fiction is recounting the story of a group of teenagers in a juvenile prison,” she says. “So I think given that context, for me as an actress, it felt less frustrating and jarring because all of our characters have done terrible things to end up in a juvenile prison.”

Most of the characters came from hard, tough backgrounds, and it’s exactly the reason why her role “didn't feel like the classic stereotypical black actor cliche, where there’s a tendency to cast only poc in degrading roles.” She didn’t feel it was as harsh as other roles in the film industry at large. “There are roles I've played where I’ve definitely felt more pigeonholed, but I think given the context (again, of a prison), I didn't really expect anything less than that.” Wilson took that as a challenge and made Kubra a profound and complicated character that wasn't defined solely by those stereotypical black traits. “I tried to make the best out of it and make her as layered as possible to show the intelligent and funny and human and vulnerable side to her, not just the angry black woman kind of cliche.”

Leaning on representation and the importance of inclusion, in an industry that often exacerbates the state of it at the expense of white privilege, she speaks with unguarded honesty. “I think there's a desperate need to work on representation, especially in Italy, and to be clear I talk about Italian cinema and TV because that's my experience,” she says. “When I talk about more representation, I talk about working on representation. It means not only we don't want roles that are defined by the way white people perceive Blackness, but I also refer to the process of recycling roles intended and written originally for white people, already played by white people, and given to black people as a token.” Wilson deems these attempts “lazy,” and she’d rather see people “invest time, money, invest effort and writers into creating and curating our own stories; stories that take into consideration the black experience, without making it a cliche.” Additionally, Wilson thinks that “sometimes it’s done well and is cool, but most the time feels cheap”

So I cannot help but wonder: how does an actress with such depth and sensitive line of thought perceive otherness and colourism? “I'm a black woman, I’m perceived by the world as a black woman and I identify as one. But I'm not going to act like I'm not aware of my mixed privilege, being mixed,” she freely admits. “I have softer hair and European features, and I'm not going to deny that I believe that has had a positive impact on my career.”

total look SPORTMAX

dress VERSACE

Moving on to softer ground, I ask about the roles she’s cherished the most. “I love Aura in Those About to Die,” she says. “I think there's a lot to play around with, and I think if we get the opportunity to proceed with another series there would be a lot to dive into within her psyche. I love her strength, not in the classic way we see strong characters - but a strength that lies within her vulnerability.” The series explores an unveiled side of Rome: the dirty business of entertaining the masses through blood and sport. “She’s vulnerable, as she's sold into slavery but she's still the rock for her sibling and her mother, and her maternal figure leans on her a lot,” she says. “I love the parallels of strength and vulnerability, particularly when those two things can co-exist because I don't like flat characters and no one wants to see.”

And, if that wasn’t enough, between ensuring that her passion for acting never fades and that her diary is never empty, Wilson is well engaged in the fashion scene. “Fashion is art and it’s expression, and I love any form of art and expression,” she opines. “I'm a very creative person and I'm drawn to cinema, fashion, paintings and any art.

So I love any opportunity I get to be a part of this world: we work very hard with both my fashion modelling agency, WhyNot, and my cinematic agency, Karasciò, to intertwine all projects and make sure that I have the opportunity to be at events, but also so that doesn't get in the way of sets. And they're very good at accommodating each other and me and making it all work.”

What does she hope for the years to come? “To still be doing what I love, which is acting,” she says, her head nodding with excitement. “I also hope to be living in another city, as I love moving around, and I definitely want to slowly emerge into the international world of cinema and TV.”

We’re way past our allotted interview time, and as the end-of-year holidays are fast approaching it’s apt to muse over Wilson’s new year resolutions. “I want to be a Bond girl!” she wildly chuckles, as we wrap up our conversation. “Maybe if I put it into the universe, it will come to fruition. But on a serious note, I just hope to keep doing things to make me fall more in love with my craft, becoming better at it.” And, just like Wilson, I very much hope the same.

Lolita Eno - Interview

.aesthetic talk
LOLITA ENO
*Soy un Escorpión

written + interview Grace Powell

“Let's talk DEEP,” Natalia Guzman, AKA Lolita Eno, DMs me late Saturday evening. The multi-hyphenate artist, celebrated for blending themes like animal vs. human, nature vs. digital, and philosophy vs. biology, serves as the digital experience's Mother Nature.

Amidst a world where her personal love life shifts between infatuation and heartbreak, Lolita Eno shares her insights on navigating this post-intense situationship era and how her profound understanding of sexual power shapes her artistic expression. Her work has captivated global audiences through exhibitions in Shibuya, Tokyo, Paris, Los Angeles, and Turkey, complemented by numerous solo shows in her home-city of Madrid.

Notably attracting the attention of cultural icons like Kanye West and fashion luminary Alexander Wang, she was also recognized by the European Institute of Design as a promising innovator in 2019 and honoured as a finalist for best digital art at the BMW Spain awards. Do we get deep? You be the judge of that!

(c) Lolita Eno

Talent BENDI GONZALEZ
Stylist STEPHANIA YEPES
Production PABLO MAS
Assistant STEVEN PANE
for RUI

(c) Lolita Eno

Talent TOCCORORO
Stylist STEPHANIA YEPES
Production PABLO MAS
Assistant STEVEN PANE
for RUI

“Love compels me to delve into my deepest emotions, confronting both vulnerability and strength. It’s natural, and nature is impassable.”

Lolita Eno speaks with Grace Powell
for LE MILE Magazine / AGE OF CHANGE Issue 37

(c) Lolita Eno

Talent MURIEL SEGUIER
Stylist Stephania Yepes
Production PABLO MAS
Hair GORKA LAKAN
Assistant BORJA LLOBREGAT

(c) Lolita Eno
for Alexander Wang

Grace Powell
For this interview, we’re delving into the themes of love and intimacy. How do these personal topics influence the art you are currently creating and sharing with the world?

Lolita Eno
Love, in its profound complexity, has become a central theme in my work. It compels me to delve into my deepest emotions, confronting both vulnerability and strength. Through this process, I discover more about myself and the world around me. Love, to me, is natural and nature is impassable.

Why is it important for you to speak on this now?

Recently, I experienced a powerful connection with someone that has now ended. I don't know what will happen in the future with us, the future does not exist right now. Of course, this person has inspired me and my work. My broken heart hurts, but not everything that hurts needs to have a bad ending. Feeling this is tough, but I'm learning, and I've already noticed changes in myself, which I find exciting. This emotional journey has fueled a creative process that reflects my personal growth and introspection.

Love (and heartbreak) are in many ways then charges for you, creatively?

Anything that changes me charges what I create. Creating art is my lifeline, and I'm currently processing what I'm going through —I hope somewhere interesting — All these tears will (re)shape me…I'm losing too much water.

…and vice versa, art too fuels these powerful feelings?

Without art I would slowly die of a sad heart. The love for creating keeps me alive. During a difficult time when I was on a path of self-destruction, creating and falling in love saved me. With whom I stayed for six years. If you are reading this, thank you.

What is the craziest thing you ever did for love?

Is there something crazier than love itself? “Non Voglio Mai Vedere II Sole Tramontare” by Oliver Leith, 12 Ensemble, Eloisa-Fleur Thom and Max Ruisi is how I felt when I was with him, when I was last in love.

Within love is intimacy and sex, how do these play a role within your artistry? 


Intimacy, in all its forms, continues to inspire my work, leaving behind a regenerated spirit that shapes my artistic expression.

Described as both “sexual” and "trippy”, you once said, “I love my vagina and my sexual energy. I believe in it”. What makes the vagina so powerful?


In this quote, I'm talking about the reproductive organ as a metaphor for creation ( and sometimes, this is not a metaphor at all!) For a long time I used to hate my vagina for the collateral implications it has. I discovered my vagina at a really young age, I think I was like 8 or so when I started realising that I had a power between my legs, a power that could be taken out of me.

(c) Lolita Eno
Talent TOCCORORO
Bag EVADE HOUSE

(c) Lolita Eno

Talent EVANGELINA JULIA
Production PABLO MAS
Hair GORKA LAKAN
Assistant BORJA LLOBREGAT

“I love my vagina and my sexual energy. It’s a metaphor for creation—and sometimes, not a metaphor at all.”

Lolita Eno speaks with Grace Powell
for LE MILE Magazine / AGE OF CHANGE Issue 37

How has your relationship to the vagina developed? It is not an area you shy away from in your art. 


Ever since I became aware of my vagina, it has been a constant mindfuck. At times, I have felt imprisoned by my own body, and have associated ‘freedom’ and ‘power’ with cocks. Even though I've always seen myself as a beautiful woman, and understood the power that holds, I have also felt weak and easy to take advantage of. In some ways I purposely refused to be protected, connecting masculine desire with the vulnerability of my body, putting myself in a position to be taken advantage of instead of staying in my own power mode. I have an intense sexual energy despite not being overtly sexual. I don't dress in a 'sexy' manner, haven't had many sexual partners, and rarely date—I'm not easily intrigued. I use this sexual energy in my photos, sometimes explicitly and sometimes not that explicitly …but it's always there, I just can't be any other way. Soy un escorpión.

The theme of the magazine is AGE OF CHANGE, which feels super relevant right now for you and your work! Do you enjoy change? 


Change brings forth a mix of emotions—fear, excitement, danger, and new horizons. It's unstable and lacks security, yet it's fun and appealing. I don't live a traditional life. All can be summed up in : ?????? ! !! ?.

I'm completely changing my life right now, moving to another continent and constantly bouncing between New York, Paris, and LA. It's addictive once you start; having family in these cities makes me feel incredibly lucky. I still have good friends in Madrid, but this lifestyle can be lonely. You have to be selective about who you spend time with, and sadly, you sometimes lose people you care about. Despite the drawbacks, I'd still choose this life.

Do you believe in destiny?


Yes, but not in a mystical sense. I believe our past experiences and qualities shape who we are today. It's like a series of events that fit together when you reflect on them. Surrendering control and allowing destiny to lead can make you feel like a philosopher, contemplating deeply on everything.

“Change is unstable and lacks security, but it’s fun, dangerous, and addictive. Once you start, you can’t stop.”

Lolita Eno speaks with Grace Powell
for LE MILE Magazine / AGE OF CHANGE Issue 37

credit for header image
(c) Lolita Eno

Talents MURIEL SEQUIER, EVANGELINA JULIA, MARTA OCHOA, NINA WASINSKI, CARMEN CANDELA, OTA ANDUIZA, NINA WADANAX, EMME MADDI, and MARINA JONE PODEROSO / Stylist STEPHANIA YEPES / Production PABLO MAS / Hair GORKA LAKAN / Assistant BORJA LLOBREGAT

LAVAZZA 2025 *by Omar Victor Diop

LAVAZZA 2025 Calendar
*Celebrating 130 Years of Blending

written Alban E. Smajli

The Lavazza 2025 calendar is a living work. Its pages carry a rhythm, shaped by 130 years of blending.

It moves through color, energy, and form, holding stories that stretch across time. Omar Victor Diop creates four acts, each unfolding with precision and intention. The frames capture motion, moments, and layers that reflect connection.

Blending Cultures begins in winter. Blues fill the space, drawing focus to Whoopi Goldberg. Her presence forms the axis, surrounded by gestures and movements that echo outward. The frame holds lives, histories, and expressions, each one adding weight to the composition. Spring emerges in Blending Times. Jannik Sinner steps forward, his energy defining the tone. Arne Anker stands within the frame, his stance precise, his presence calm. Props and textures align with the figures, extending the narrative into the space they occupy. The image holds movement, grounded in craft and care.

(c) Omar Victor Diop
LAVAZZA Calendar 2025, February

“A day, a week, a month, a year – for me, it’s always Lavazza!”

Whoopi Goldberg

Summer shifts into Blending Roots. Omar Victor Diop steps into the frame, central to the story. The tones deepen into green, reflecting origins and connections. The composition expands, pulling threads of identity and place into focus.

Autumn closes with Blending Minds. Julia Nordhaus enters the frame, her energy focused and deliberate. Ochre tones fill the space, creating a sense of thought and creation. The composition feels open, inviting reflection and engagement. Every detail contributes to the narrative, holding its place within the whole.

The calendar moves through these acts, carrying the philosophy of blending into its imagery. The bar counter repeats across frames, forming a thread of exchange and connection. Props, shadows, and textures create depth, adding layers to the story. The energy of blending continues in every element, carrying the vision forward.

Blending began in 1895. Luigi Lavazza worked among sacks of coffee beans, each carrying whispers of the land it came from. Aromas clashed, mixed, and settled into something unified. The act grew into an idea, shaping how Lavazza created and connected with the world. Every blend carried stories, people, and places.

“The end result is much more than the sum of individual parts: the result is the Lavazza Group, a family of over 5,500 people, celebrating its 130th anniversary—a long, pioneering journey oriented toward responsibility for people and the environment.”

Francesca Lavazza
Member of the Board of the Lavazza Group

The 2025 calendar transforms this philosophy into visual form. Omar Victor Diop’s lens captures blending as an act of energy, movement, and stillness. Each tableau unfolds with precision, drawing the viewer into its layers. Blending Cultures reveals the winter blues. Whoopi Goldberg holds the center. Around her, figures interact, each one carrying its own weight within the scene. The composition speaks to exchange and the coexistence of traditions.

Spring emerges in Blending Times. Tennis-star Jannik Sinner and Arne Anker take the lead. Sinner brings a sense of vitality, while Anker reflects the artistry of craft. The rhythm of the scene resonates through objects and gestures. Blending Roots shifts into green, where Diop steps into the frame. His stance anchors the image in the concept of shared origins.

In Blending Minds, Julia Nordhaus of Lavazza Germany becomes the focal point. The ochre tones of autumn surround her, carrying the energy of collaboration and the pursuit of ideas. Her gaze suggests a vision forward, rooted in creativity and innovation.

Blending defines each frame. It appears in the arrangement of subjects, in the textures, and in the spaces where people and objects converge. The recurring bar counter emphasizes gathering and exchange, while the costumes and props bring layers of context and meaning into focus. Every element contributes to the overall narrative.

read more: Let´s Blend! Calender 2025!

(c) Omar Victor Diop
LAVAZZA Calendar 2025, August

(c) Omar Victor Diop
Artist portrait

“I depicted the concept of blend through the use of color—universal yet deeply personal. My intent was to create a multifaceted fresco that united identities, origins, and skills in a unique symposium.”

Omar Victor Diop

scroll the calendar

Arne Anker brought his perspective as Lavazza’s Ambassador of Indulgence for Germany. His Berlin restaurant, BRIKZ, reflects the blending ethos through its evolving menu. Coffeetails, a centerpiece of his work, reimagine coffee as a living ingredient, constantly adapted to new contexts.

Anker’s approach embodies the spirit of blending, creating moments that move beyond the static and into the experiential. Francesca Lavazza spoke of the calendar as a reflection of shared values. Her words grounded the project in the brand’s ongoing mission to connect people and ideas. Julia Nordhaus, whose presence in Blending Minds highlights Lavazza’s commitment to forward-thinking innovation, underscored the importance of collaboration within and beyond the company.

The 2025 calendar extends Lavazza’s heritage into new dimensions, transforms blending into a framework for thinking, one that bridges art, culture, and identity. Its unveiling in Vienna emphasized this movement, reinforcing Lavazza’s role as a catalyst for connection and creativity. The project shows how blending, born in coffee, continues to shape the way the brand engages with the world.

A Brewed Vision shared with Lavazza

(c) Omar Victor Diop for LAVAZZA
2024

Charlie Rowe - Interview

.aesthetic talk
CHARLIE ROWE
*Quiet Rhythms, Unexpected Directions

written + interview Alban E. Smajli

Charlie Rowe is a study in understated charisma. At just 27, he’s amassed a body of work that spans two decades, quietly orbiting around some of Hollywood’s heaviest hitters while carving out a space that’s distinctly his own.

“It brings a palpable energy to the set,” he says of working alongside Noah Baumbach, George Clooney, and Adam Sandler. “There’s certainly an anticipation. But they are three lovely people who are fantastic at what they do. I just tried to observe and soak in as much as possible. I was tremendously lucky to be there.”

full look ALEXANDER McQUEEN

TEAM CREDITS

seen + art direction ANTONIO EUGENIO
styled IGNACIO DE TIEDRA
talent CHARLIE ROWE via PINNEACLE PR UK
grooming TERRI CAPON
photo assistant MITCHELL KEMP

“Argyle knits and sweaters. Scottish Highland, Folk-core style. But also perhaps a bag. I’m yet to find my perfect man bag. I’d like to co-create that. I’m sick of rucksacks.”

Charlie Rowe speaks with Alban E. Smajli
for LE MILE .Digital

full look JOSS ROWE

For Rowe, luck might play a part, but there’s also a certain rhythm—both to his choices and the roles that choose him. “A bit of both,” he admits when asked if he’s drawn to characters or if it’s all about timing. “I audition for parts that have a rhythm that interests me or at least the project, as a whole, has a rhythm that speaks to me. Whether I get them or not… now that is up to the universe aligning.”

It’s clear that this rhythm extends beyond film. Fashion weaves into his identity, not just as an actor, but as someone who’s grappled with—and grown from—some youthful experiments. “I had a hat phase at an oddly young age,” he says. “I was watching a lot of Mad Men and wearing fedoras and trilbys. I had a bald head at the time, so it was mainly to cover it, and it was not my greatest look.”

These days, Rowe’s relationship with fashion feels more intentional. “Argyle knits and sweaters. Scottish Highland, Folk-core style,” he says when asked about a potential fashion collaboration. “But also perhaps a bag. I’m yet to find my perfect man bag. I’d like to co-create that. I’m sick of rucksacks.”

On set, Rowe relishes the unexpected. “This is the job; searching for something unexpected,” he reflects. “Directors and good direction are essential as sometimes an actor can overcomplicate the search for something surprising. Most of my unexpected choices have come from simple notes and relaxation.”

full look DOLCE & GABBANA

full look FERRAGAMO

“I love improv. A good script never feels too restrictive. I actually like the repetition of film as you can keep finding more and more, if everyone is on board.”

Charlie Rowe speaks with Alban E. Smajli
for LE MILE .Digital

full look DOLCE & GABBANA

shirt + trousers ALEC BIZBY
shoes DOLCE & GABBANA

Even the structure of film, often seen as rigid, is something Rowe navigates with ease. “I love improv, though I’m not particularly well-versed in the craft of it. I would love to do more. But a good script never feels too restrictive. I actually like the repetition of film as you can keep finding more and more, if everyone is on board.”

As he steps further into the spotlight, Charlie Rowe’s evolution feels less like a meteoric rise and more like the steady heartbeat of someone who’s always known exactly where they’re headed—searching, always listening, and quietly redefining what it means to lead.