1st place
gold star award
Andrea Cimino
italy 
title
Tribal fashion and costumes of people in the Omo Valley, Ethiopia
as an assistant for a few portrait photographers. That
was when I learnt the rst professional photographic tech-
niques. Those rst years of eld experience as an assistant
and photographer gave me useful insights of the portrait
photography business. The strive to broaden and improve
my skills and knowledge about the artistic side of photog-
raphy were the main reasons why I subsequently enrolled
at the European Institute of Design in Italy, as a fashion,
editorial and advertising photography student. Thanks to
the broaden view resulting from my educational experi-
ence, and fascinated by the world of fashion photography,
I was eager to unleash my potential in what soon became
my passion: fashion photography. Graduated with excel-
lent results, my rst project in the fashion business granted me the Merit Award at
the FEP Emerging Talent Award (an award introduced by the Federation of European
Photographers). Such a publication was soon followed by other ones in di erent maga-
zines. Inspired by the work of many great photographers, while moved by my passion,
I always look for opportunities to improve my abilities and challenge my expertise.
back to gallery
entry description
Tribal fashion is inspired by nature, and it has a strong connection with it: clothing, accessories, and the body itself recall geometries, forms and colors of earth and sun. Facial expressions are full of meaning and embed the fortitude and pride of a timeless Black Africa. The hybrid style, forged by the combination of clothing and accessories, gives a particular meaning to each color, shape, accessory and cloth, hence conferring a corresponding identity to the person wearingthem. Symbolism is fundamental within and amongtribes. Shapes colors and postures are a form of expression; dresses are not meant to simply cover oneself, but together with ornaments and accessories become an expression of gender, age, social and religious identities.about the photographer
When I was a teenager I started working after school hoursas an assistant for a few portrait photographers. That
was when I learnt the rst professional photographic tech-
niques. Those rst years of eld experience as an assistant
and photographer gave me useful insights of the portrait
photography business. The strive to broaden and improve
my skills and knowledge about the artistic side of photog-
raphy were the main reasons why I subsequently enrolled
at the European Institute of Design in Italy, as a fashion,
editorial and advertising photography student. Thanks to
the broaden view resulting from my educational experi-
ence, and fascinated by the world of fashion photography,
I was eager to unleash my potential in what soon became
my passion: fashion photography. Graduated with excel-
lent results, my rst project in the fashion business granted me the Merit Award at
the FEP Emerging Talent Award (an award introduced by the Federation of European
Photographers). Such a publication was soon followed by other ones in di erent maga-
zines. Inspired by the work of many great photographers, while moved by my passion,
I always look for opportunities to improve my abilities and challenge my expertise.
back to gallery
