Considering the dark uncertainty of an era marked by a pandemic, Michele Di Dio reminds us to value and preserve joy and humor as we move through the slow recovery of this heavy time. Di Dio was touched and inspired by Luca Aimee, the model, clown, and neuroscience graduate student who is the subject of this fashion portfolio and short video titled Amusement. Adorned with makeup and fashion inspired by archetypal clown imagery, Aimee charms us with her silly facial expressions as she speaks about humor as a type of universal expression that often transcends language. This film touches on the bonds of shared laughter, the utility of humor in coping with difficult situations, and the necessity to hold on dearly to the laughter that gets us through at the end of the day.

Model Luca Aimee at Le Management. Hair by Wataru Suzuki using Oribe. Makeup by Jana Kalgajeva. Videographer Rosa Lisa Di Natale. Sound Design Ethan Houser.