Elizabeth Goodspeed Analyzes Szilveszter Makó's Signature Style and Commercial Saturation
In a piece for It's Nice That, Elizabeth Goodspeed, the US editor-at-large, delves into the artistry of 34-year-old Hungarian photographer Szilveszter Makó, celebrated for his surreal and craftsmanship-focused anti-AI portraits. His notable projects feature Bad Bunny for Vanity Fair (2023), Michelle Yeoh for W China (2024), and Solange for Harper's Bazaar Italia (2025), along with covers for British Vogue, Vogue Arabia, and Vogue Philippines starting in August 2026. Goodspeed points out the criticism surrounding Makó's portraits of Sandra Bullock for Interview, which faced accusations of repetitiveness. She likens commissioning him to enlisting Yayoi Kusama to create stripes. Additionally, she emphasizes Makó's immersive installation, Bauhaus Ballet, showcased during NY Fashion Week, expressing admiration for his work and a desire for ongoing innovation.
Key facts
- Szilveszter Makó is a 34-year-old Hungarian photographer known for surreal, craft-forward portraits.
- His work has appeared in editorials for Numéro and HERO as early as 2018.
- High-profile commissions include Bad Bunny for Vanity Fair (2023), Michelle Yeoh for W China (2024), and Solange for Harper's Bazaar Italia (2025).
- Three Vogue editions (British Vogue, Vogue Arabia, Vogue Philippines) featured Makó-shot celebrities on covers since August 2026.
- Makó's portraits of Sandra Bullock for Interview, promoting the Practical Magic sequel, faced criticism for repetition.
- Makó collaborated with The Cultivist and Capital One on Bauhaus Ballet, a six-room immersive installation during NY Fashion Week.
- Elizabeth Goodspeed is the US editor-at-large for It's Nice That.
- Goodspeed argues that the term 'selling out' has been replaced by 'partnerships' and 'collaborations,' losing a useful concept.
Entities
Artists
- Elizabeth Goodspeed
- Szilveszter Makó
- Bad Bunny
- Michelle Yeoh
- Solange
- Sandra Bullock
- Yayoi Kusama
- Rama Duwaji
- Paloma Elsesser
- Rihanna
- Angelica Jade Bastién
- Tim Walker
- Guinevere Van Seenus
- Olivia Rodrigo
- Kathy Pham
- Elle Fanning
- Savannah Eden Bradley
- Yorgos Lanthimos
- David Lynch
- Betty White
- Lil Jon
- Miss Piggy
Institutions
- It's Nice That
- Vanity Fair
- W China
- Harper's Bazaar Italia
- British Vogue
- Vogue Arabia
- Vogue Philippines
- Interview
- Numéro
- HERO
- The Cultivist
- Capital One
- Refinery29
- 29Rooms
- Museum of Ice Cream
- Haloscope
- Squarespace
- Casual Archivist
Locations
- Hungary
- New York
- Providence
- Philippines