IBRAHIMA: Underwear - Schiesser
“I am portraying a family that makes me learn and reflect —they inspire me,” says Spanish photographer Kito Muñoz, who shot brothers Ibrahima and Youssouf Koné, and their cousin Alfousseyni Sissoko against the majestic backdrop of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, 50km south of Madrid.
The palace has special significance for Muñoz and his team, espceially as the story’s scenographer, Jorge Parra Labajos, grew up in Aranjuez. While the grounds carry a childhood familiarity for Labajos, the memories are mixed into the historical context of the place.
“The location of the pink house where the three models play with swords used to be the old hunting grounds of Queen Isabella II of Spain,” says Labajos. The location by the lake, where the models embrace, was formerly the riding stables of King Alfonso XII of Spain. “It is a very old farm and it is called as ‘La Casa de la Monta’ and the river that passes by is [called] ‘Playa de Aranjuez’ or ‘Playa de la Pavera’.”
The Royal Palace of Aranjuez is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although the plot was first designated as royal hunting grounds in the 12th century, the palace itself was built during the 16th century. The area has two gargantuan rivers running through it, the Tagus and the Jarama. The palace of Aranjuez has been witness to huge historic changes, from the reign of King Philip II, who first ordered its construction, to the 20th century, when the house was opened to the public in 1931.
See more from the photo story below:
This article originally appeared in SLEEK 62, out now.
Credits:
Photography: Kito Muñoz
Styling Adrián Bernal
Makeup and hair Manuela Pane
Scenographer Jorge Parra
Illuminator: Andrés Paduano
Styling assistant Anna Pandozzi
Models Ibrahima Koné, Alfousseyni Sissoko, Youssouf Kone
Casting Fastcast.club
Rotouch: Curro Verdugo
Production Manager Lucy Pérez
Production The Royal Family Films