SS26 Menswear - Pushing Through The Lens with NOAH SAPON

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Pushing Through The Lens with Noah Sapon

written CHIDOZIE OBASI

Rising creative Noah Sapon became captivated by filmography the moment he acquired his first camera for his ninth birthday. But I cannot help but wonder: what has happened since then? “I’ve lived almost every day with one on me,” he enthuses, the moment we settle into our conversation.

Noah wears blazer by VALENTINO, shirt by CELINE, pants by PAUL SMITH, shoes by CHURCH’S and tie by FERRAGAMO

“I grew up as a big history nerd, and spent a lot of time outdoors,” he says, explaining how he spends lots of time in nature, where he draws the majority of his creative understanding and drive from. “As I’ve matured into a better understanding of myself and what I want to explore as an artist, these have been my biggest driving forces for my practice, while understanding the spiritual effect these elements have on society,” he explains. “I moved around a lot growing up and attended multiple schools, and I think this is where my adaptive nature was born.”

Sapon loves switching environments; throughout his life, he moved from the South of England’s countryside to a small mountain town in Spain, and then to a larger coastal one; since then, he’s been all over the world. Film has always been the director of his life. “No matter what it is, I see it through a lens,” he explains. “I studied film as one of my college A levels when I moved back to the UK in 2016, assuming I’d continue on to it at school or undertake a film degree of some sorts, but I hated it,” he says. Throughout the course, Sapon felt a feeling of unease and otherness from the tutors, and wasn’t allowed to experiment with a wealth of mediums. “Everything was so rigid, so it forced me to reconsider,” he says. At the time, Sapon had just been scouted as a model, and he was starting to experience the fashion industry from the other side of the camera. “I already had an interest in fashion, but I didn’t really understand how any of it worked,” he says. Below, Sapon unpacks early stints, pinch-me moments and future hopes with LE MILE’s Fashion Market Director. You’re welcome.

Noah wears a total look by VALENTINO

Chidozie Obasi
When did you begin to venture into the creative sphere, and what was the moment that made you realise you wanted to pursue this professionally?

Noah Sapon
I was scouted as a model when I was seventeen. I did one show and then signed to SUPA in London, which helped me a lot. Charlie, the founder, was always really supportive of my filmmaking, and he used to book out models to do video tests with; when I was casting, I would always tell the team that I was also a videographer and that if they wanted to book me for that instead they could. I always brought a small camera with me everywhere I went, even on set. I remember having a shoot with the late Brian Griffin for Wallpaper Magazine, and shot a behind the scene film while on set as a model. That’s how it started for me, as I’d get booked to be on both sides of the camera, but I always felt so awkward in front of the lens, and so at-home behind it. Things quite quickly progressed, and by 2019 I was shooting a few small videos a month for magazines, artists and musicians. As soon as it overtook my modelling career financially, I was able to properly dedicate myself to it. Then Covid hit, and I was pretty isolated from London, in the countryside with my family. That was when the natural world became a bigger theme in my approach. I shot an eight spread editorial series with my younger brother, Jethro, for Boys By Girls, about it being the truest constant for humans, and we worked together on another couple of films at home during that time. It wasn’t really until covid fully ended in 2022 that I felt that my career started. Before 2022 I was really just understanding how the industry worked, but then as travel opened up again that’s when things really changed, and I really felt like wow this is actually going to be my life now. I said in an interview when I was sixteen that my five-year plan was to ‘travel the world freely and work with people that inspire me,’ and it really happened.

Could you unpack why you transitioned from modeling to film?

Modelling was never for me. I never worked that much as a model, and I didn’t understand the industry well enough to set goals or intentions. I like organisation and order,and even though my life is quite chaotic, I know what’s going on. I never felt like I knew how to have any control of my own life as a model, and I actually think that is kind of part of the job. I’m so grateful that I got to do it though: I worked with some of my favourite magazines and brands, and it was my first proper, albeit naive, peek into the fashion industry. Film has been my dream for as long as I can remember. When I was really young (after wanting to be a cowboy, knight or pirate), I used to say I wanted to be an architect, and that was the first job I for some reason thought was for me. I liked the idea of creativity with a real-world objective, and something that can be ‘correct’. After that, I wanted to make films, so it was always where I wanted to transition to no matter what.

Noah wears pants and shorts by DOLCE&GABBANA and hat by LORO PIANA

Noah wears a total look by LORO PIANA

Biggest pinch-me moments?

I’ve had a lot of pinch me moments, really luckily very often. I don’t know what would be the biggest. I think the best ones are when I’m in the process of shooting something that really feels like a big checkpoint on track to where I want to be. This is one, as we’ve known each other since 2019! Quite full circle, and it was so much fun on set.

What downturns have you encountered during your path?

I’m really a very optimistic person. I don’t really register moments as ‘downturns’, I like to process these moments quite quickly and learn the lessons. However, I suppose my biggest downturns happen just when I feel conflicted about how to do well, and when an experience might go against what I believe in. But being a curious person, I always want to learn from the experience.

What’s next for you?

Well, what’s next is very exciting. 2026 has been such a great year so far. I’m equally focused on my documentaries as my fashion work which is awesome. I have two docs currently in the editing phases, one with me and one with an editor. I’ve got a few covers coming out with some really epic talent. I don’t like to overshare plans and goals, but I’m also in the process of working with an amazing friend and philanthropist, Mauro Monarris, on a lot of beautiful charity work. I turned 26 this year, and intentionality has become key. The next few years will involve a lot of large-scale positive impact on the world, be it through my personal work, or work I align with, and this makes me really happy. I’m feeling really grateful.

Noah wears overshirt by PAUL SMITH, sweater by AVANT-TOI, shirt by JACOB COHËN, pants by CANALI and RANDOM IDENTITIES by Stefano Pilati and shoes by AQVA ALTA

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seen COSIMO BUCCOLIERI via STUDIO REPOSSI
fashion market director + stylist CHIDOZIE OBASI
head of production JESSICA LOVATO
fashion coordinator EDWARD PUSCA
make up DIANA DJURDJEVSKI via STUDIO REPOSSI
hair FUJIWARA TAKAHASHI
model NOAH SAPON
photography assistant ANTONIO CROTTI
fashion assistants DAIANA EDOSA + ALICE PELATI + LUDOVICA IEMMOLO + ALESSIA GUALTIERI

credits
all Images (c) LE MILE
and Cosimo Buccolieri

FW25 Menswear - Truly, Softly, Preppy with Simone Pollastri

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TRULY, SOFTLY, PREPPY
*with Simone Pollastri

written CHIDOZIE OBASI

For youngsters, in a society where the tides of change are evolving with increasingly ferocious pace, it’s a painful time to tell stories about the arts. For some, these are times shaped by transitions, informed by choices and decisions that helped define the state of our world—with a gumption to envision the future not as a destination, but as a point of greater clarity and a personal journey. For Milan-hailed creative Simone Pollastri, this year epitomised such an example: a time where he closed chapters, both professionally and personally, that no longer aligned with his vision or direction.

Simone wears a long-sleeved top by DSQUARED2, pants by SETCHU, shoes by ZEGNA, and jewellery by SWAROVSKI

Simone wears a jacket and pants by TAN, and shirts by MOSCHINO and ALESSANDRO GHERARDI

“I tend to set ambitious goals and see change as a necessary part of growth, rather than something to resist,” he tells me, with no peacocking braggadocio on display. “Both positive and challenging experiences contributed to a more focused mindset and a stronger sense of direction. Today, I feel more grounded and confident in the path I’m taking, aware that this phase is simply another step forward, not a final outcome.” His practice moves across a wealth of fields, all driven by the same approach to storytelling and aesthetics. “I’m naturally curious, drawn to movement, change and new challenges, and I try to channel my passions—namely, travel, sport and creativity—into a cohesive way of working and living,” he reflects. Pollastri works as a filmmaker and creative director through his production house, FilmVisual, where he develops visual campaigns and digital productions for fashion and sports brands.

“Alongside this, I recently co-founded TAN, an independent brand that represents a more personal extension of my creative vision,” he adds. “For me, creation is less about fitting into categorised roles and more about building a language that feels honest, dynamic and constantly evolving,” heconcludes, his face filled with excitement. But there’s more to the story, which you’ll probably read here first. You’re welcome.

Simone wears a brown sweater by ZEGNA, a black sweater by RANDOM IDENTITIES by Stefano Pilati, a shirt by TOM FORD, pants by DSQUARED2, shoes by CHURCH’S, and jewellery by LAG WORLD

Simone wears a jacket by THE FRANKIE SHOP, a shirt by MICHAEL KORS, pants by DIESEL, shoes by BEPOSITIVE, and a tie by TOM FORD

Chidozie Obasi
Taking a trip back memory lane: what’s your earliest approach with the creative field and with fashion, in particular?

Simone Pollastri
My earliest approach to creativity didn’t begin with fashion, but with images. At eighteen, I discovered photography and video almost by chance, and immediately felt drawn to the idea of using visuals as a personal language. What fascinated me wasn’t just the technical aspect, but the possibility of communicating what I had to say at that specific moment in my life through images, movement and storytelling. Over time, I started to realise how closely that process was tied to my own growth: how my perception of what felt beautiful or meaningful evolved alongside me. Fashion entered my path later, through visual work and collaborations, but always filtered through this lens. I never approached it as a system to belong to, but as a space where I could apply a subjective, evolving sense of aesthetics. That relationship with images remains the foundation of everything I do today.

You’re also a fond travel aficionado: how did such longing come about, and how has it blossomed over time?

I don’t think there was a precise moment when my desire to travel began: it has always felt like something inherent. Growing up, I often felt the need to look beyond my immediate surroundings. Travel represents the possibility to observe, understand and experience what exists outside of one’s own bubble. Over time, this curiosity became a driving force and naturally intertwined with my work.

Beside the fixtures of the fashion and travel realms, you’ve also dabbled into the world of film and motion storytelling...

Film and motion storytelling were never a separate ambition for me. Rather than stemming from a single moment, they emerged as a natural evolution of how I wanted to communicate ideas. Over time, I realised that still images alone weren’t enough: I was drawn to rhythm, sequencing and atmosphere. Motion allowed me to build narratives, not just visuals.

Today, film is less a discipline and more a framework, and that is precisely why I chose to found and work through my production house, FilmVisual. It’s the language I naturally return to when I want to translate a vision into something tangible.

As you’ve travelled and experienced many sides of the world, what values and lessons have you gained?

Travel has played a fundamental role in shaping both my personal and creative growth. I often see travel as a process of accumulation rather than escape. You leave with a blank page, and along the way it fills with impressions and perspectives. The most valuable lesson travel has taught me is inclusion; the ability to question your own point of view and remain open to complexities.

Simone wears a cardigan by NN.07, a sweater by EXTREME CASHMERE, a shirt by TOMMY HILFIGER, shorts by MOSCHINO, pants by CELINE, and jewellery by LAG WORLD

Could you unpack your biggest pinch-me moment from your professional journey, thus far?

My biggest pinch-me moment wasn’t tied to a milestone client, but to an experience that made me fully realise the path I had chosen. It happened during a work trip to Alaska, where travel, extreme sport and visual storytelling converged. That moment made it clear to me that, had I followed a more conventional route, many of those experiences wouldn’t have been possible. It reminded me of the importance of listening to myself and trusting the direction I had chosen.

How do you envision the future of influence and of the digital world at large?

I believe the shift within this industry has already happened. Today, influence is less about reach and more about relevance. Projects like TAN and FilmVisual are built on credibility, continuity and long-term vision. In a saturated digital environment, value and authenticity are what endure.

Leaning on your newly-founded brand venture, how did it all come about?

TAN was born from a clear and shared decision: the desire to stop expressing our creativity solely through other brands and start building a world of our own. Together with close friends, we felt the need to create something that genuinely reflected who we are: our relationship with the sea, sport, movement and travel. From the beginning, TAN was never conceived as a conventional fashion project. It’s a lifestyle-driven platform where the product exists within a broader context of experiences, community and storytelling. TAN is, and will remain, an independent Italian brand developed by friends, rooted in our lifestyle and designed to evolve without losing its identity.

Is there a wish to scale it and expand its base to international markets?

Our priority is to build a tangible relationship with people and allow them to experience our world firsthand. International expansion is welcome, but not chased. If a vision is authentic and well-rooted, it naturally travels. Rather than pursuing rapid growth, we’re focused on building something that lasts.

Any other exciting projects in the pipeline?

At this stage, my focus doesn’t lie in unveiling new projects, but on consolidating what already exists. The priority is to continue building TAN with intention, allowing it to grow into a solid and independent reality. Alongside its digital evolution, we’re interested in making the project more tangible. In the future, we’d love to open a physical space; not conceived as a traditional store, but as a creative hub. A place that can act as a meeting point for our community, where we can host events, music, gatherings and collaborative moments, and where the brand can be experienced beyond the product itself. Similarly, I want to keep developing FilmVisual. These two realities complement each other and represent the space where I feel most aligned. Looking ahead, my ambition is to grow both projects with patience, clarity and consistency, while expanding TAN organically, creating spaces and experiences that allow people to genuinely connect with our vision.

Simone wears a blazer and pants by HED MAYNER, a shirt by ZEGNA, and shoes by CHURCH’S

Simone wears a jacket by THE FRANKIE SHOP, a shirt by MICHAEL KORS, pants by DIESEL, shoes by ZEGNA, and a tie by TOM FORD

photography COSIMO BUCCOLIERI via STUDIO REPOSSI
fashion director and stylist CHIDOZIE OBASI
head of production JESSICA LOVATO
fashion coordination ALBERTO MICHISANTI + EDWARD PUSCA
make up KIM GUTIERREZ via STUDIO REPOSSI using FENTY BEAUTY and for skincare THE ORDINARY
hair DAVIDE NUCARA
model SIMONE POLLASTRI via WANNABE MGMTP
photography assistant ANTONIO CROTTI
production assistant LORIS VOTTERO
fashion assistants ALESSANDRO GIANESIN + SIMONA VERNAZZA + ANGELINA PERSIANI + CHARISSE ORDINARIA + DINA LABADI + MATILDE DALLA PIAZZA + MARIANA RAPOSO

credits
all Images (c) LE MILE
and Cosimo Buccolieri