Hey
Young
World
Four Artistic
Families at Home
in London,
Photographed by
Sirui Ma and Styled
by Marika-Ella Ames
- Photography: Sirui Ma
- Styling: Marika-Ella Ames
Home is where real life takes place: the dirty dishes and piles of laundry, the laptop left in the unmade bed. Toys strewn across the floor, spilled milk and scattered Cheerios on the countertop. The messiness of a living space is intimate, a snapshot of each family accumulating in little piles that build up over the course of a day.
Four stylish and creative London-based families at different stages of parenthood graciously invited photographer Sirui Ma into their homes. Artist Alfie Kungu and his partner Lucy Addy share the joys of their son Rafael. Photographer Ollie Adegboye and lawyer Bianca Stewart sit with 1.5-year-old Rahim. Graphic designer Gini Rhee and industrial designer Nick Carpenter pose with toddler Nova, affectionately referred to as “the boss.” Skateboarder and model Jyrrel Roberts is joined by his mom Victoria and his siblings Palace and Cameron. Each living room portrait is a brief moment of stillness capturing their joy, their power. Styled by Marika-Ella Ames in FW22 SSENSE fashion, it’s clear: New life makes a home a home.
The print version of this story in the FW22 issue of SSENSE magazine incorrectly described Jyrrel's family. It described him as being joined by his brothers when it should have said siblings. It also incorrectly listed Cameron’s age as 3, instead of 13. The editors regret the errors.
Lucy (left) Marc Jacobs Heaven sweater, Marc Jacobs Heaven skirt, Balenciaga slides, Marni necklace and éliou earring. Rafael (middle) wears Marc Jacobs Heaven t-shirt. Alfie (right) wears LU'U DAN shirt, Alexander McQueen blazer, Alexander McQueen shorts and Converse sneakers. Top Image: Alfie (left) wears LU'U DAN shirt, Alexander McQueen blazer, Alexander McQueen shorts and Converse sneakers. Rafael (middle) wears Marc Jacobs Heaven t-shirt. Lucy (right) wears Marc Jacobs Heaven sweater, Marc Jacobs Heaven skirt, Balenciaga slides, Marni necklace and éliou earring.
Lucy (left) Marc Jacobs Heaven sweater, Marc Jacobs Heaven skirt, Balenciaga slides, Marni necklace and éliou earring. Rafael (middle) wears Marc Jacobs Heaven t-shirt. Alfie (right) wears LU'U DAN shirt, Alexander McQueen blazer, Alexander McQueen shorts and Converse sneakers.
“My favorite thing about my family is the unity and how you can enjoy the little things together along the way in life’s big adventure.”
—Alfie
Alfie Kungu, 28
Lucy Addy, 29
Rafael Kungu, 7 months
Ollie (left) wears Junya Watanabe blazer, Junya Watanabe trousers and Maison Margiela derbys. Rahim (middle) wears Marc Jacobs Heaven necklace. Bianca (right) wears Jean Paul Gaultier dress, Marni mules and Sophie Buhai bracelet.
Ollie (left) wears Junya Watanabe blazer, Junya Watanabe trousers and Maison Margiela derbys. Rahim (middle) wears Marc Jacobs Heaven necklace. Bianca (right) wears Jean Paul Gaultier dress, Marni mules and Sophie Buhai bracelet.
“My family makes me laugh every day.”
—Ollie
Ollie Adegboye, 32
Bianca Stewart, 34
Rahim Adegboye, 1.5
Gini (left) wears Chopova Lowena blouse, Cecilie Bahnsen skirt and Givenchy sandals. Nova (middle) wears Chloé jumpsuit. Nick (left) wears Brain Dead shirt, Martine Rose trousers and Converse sneakers.
Gini (left) wears Chopova Lowena blouse, Cecilie Bahnsen skirt and Givenchy sandals. Nova (middle wears) Chloé jumpsuit and Chloé jacket. Nick (right) wears Brain Dead shirt, Martine Rose trousers and Converse sneakers.
“My favorite thing about my family: that we are on this journey of learning and discovery together. With a toddler, everyday there is something new.”
—Gini
Gini Rhee, 43
Nick Carpenter, 42
Nova Rhee Carpenter, 2
Cameron (left) wears C.P. Company Kids shirt, Junya Watanabe trousers, Molly Goddard sneakers and C.P. Company Kids beanie. Palace (middle) Charles Jeffrey Loverboy shirt and Charles Jeffrey Loverboy trousers. Jyrrel (middle) wears Alexander McQueen t-shirt, Eytys jeans, Eytys jacket, Maison Margiela loafers and Safsafu necklace. Victoria (right) wears Molly Goddard dress and Molly Goddard sneakers.
"Even though my children are so different in many ways, we are one and without each other we are not complete."
—Victoria
Victoria Smith, 42
Jyrrel Roberts, 25
Cameron Smith, 13
Palace Smith, 5
Victoria (left) wears Molly Goddard dress and Molly Goddard sneakers. Palace (middle) wears Charles Jeffrey Loverboy shirt and Charles Jeffrey Loverboy trousers. Cameron (left) wears C.P. Company Kids shirt, Junya Watanabe trousers, Molly Goddard sneakers and C.P. Company Kids beanie. Jyrrel (right) wears Alexander McQueen t-shirt, Eytys jeans, Eytys jacket, Maison Margiela loafers and Safsafu necklace.
- Photography: Sirui Ma
- Styling: Marika-Ella Ames
- Hair and Makeup: Laila Zakaria
- Producer: Fiona Torrens
- Photography Assistant: Rhys Williams
- Styling Assistant: Flora Nisbet
- Family 1: Gini Rhee, Nick Carpenter, and Nova Carpenter.
- Family 2: Alfie Kungu, Lucy Addy, and Rafael Kungu.
- Family 3: Jyrrel Roberts, Victoria Smith, Cameron Smith and Palace Smith.
- Family 4: Ollie Adegboye, Bianca Stewart, and Rahim Adegboye.
- Date: September 19, 2022
