Editorial: "RITO"

FORMAGIO x LA VARIANTE CHOLA.

Buenos Aires, 2025.

Photography: Héctor Villalobos - “La variante chola" \ @lavariantechola

Art Direction: Francisco Formagio \ @forrmagio

Model: Elid \ @elidoiava

Styling: Francisco Formagio + Héctor Villalobos

Designer: Mauro Pesoa \ @mauropesoadeautor

Art objects and masks: Francisco Formagio \ @forrmagio

"RITO grows from Latin American roots, the union of landscapes, scenarios, and identities, geographically distant yet united in creative fluidity.

The idea of bringing together different techniques and approaches gradually takes shape and materializes in San Isidro, Argentina, the focal point of the gathering and where the photos were taken. In Héctor Villalobos' backyard, known as 'La variante chola,' were Elid, an Ecuadorian MC and model, Brazilian visual artist and art director Francisco Formagio, and pieces by Argentine designer Mauro Pesoa.

The inspiration for the shoot came from performative and ritualistic expressions that intricately weave South American spiritual symbolism, akin to a living and complete body. Thus, we captured moments that interweave different objects and elements of nature, brought to life by the hands and curves of all the artists—from Mauro's masterful construction of pieces, to Elid's gentle yet assertive movements, Francisco's symbolic power in objects, to Héctor's sensitive lenses. All these elements were part of the conceptual construction.

The project is a sketch of how it's possible to subvert territorial logics through common tools that belong to us, such as spirituality, which take on different faces across the continent. The juxtaposition of these factors illuminates a new path of union, more expansive and enabling, altering the paths of maps and fostering a more visceral connection in our encounters."