Elska Magazine Issue 61 Turns Its Lens on Milan's Queer Men, Stripping Away Fashion's Facade

The 61st edition of Elska, an independent publication focused on photography and storytelling, highlights the daily lives of queer men in Milan, intentionally stepping away from the city's renowned fashion scene. For this issue, editor and chief photographer Liam Campbell teams up with Milan-based Mauro Padula, marking only their second full collaboration. Each contributed equally to the shoots and narrative profiles. Featured are non-models—Dano, Berry, Sergio, Davide, Squalo, Federico, Alessandro, and Simone—captured in intimate settings, often in raw, tender nudes alongside personal stories. Campbell emphasizes a perspective that contrasts Milan's glamorous image, inviting individuals to share their lives. While fashion remains significant, it is approached with a queered lens, playfully challenging conventional campaign norms. This is Elska's second release from Italy, with the issue and its companion zine, Ekstra Milan, now available at elskamagazine.com and select independent bookstores worldwide.