Hi there. Welcome back to your monthly dose of inspiration!Today we'll explore works that all have in common one value: authenticity.

Something I value most in life and I always aim to convey is authenticity. I think nowadays it is a key to success not just in the professional world, but more importantly in our personal relationships.It's definitely a time when no one knows what to believe to anymore, which is why being true to yourself is the best thing you can do to be happy with what you do, with who you are and with who your work speaks to.

If you keep making things that aren't true to you, or avoiding to be your true self, you will never get to where you want to go in life. I've recently started to see this in my life, through the projects I develop and the people I spend time with. And let me tell you: being loved for what you do and who you are, knowing you're not trying to be someone else, is the best feeling in the world.

Vuhlandes

Vuh is a photographer from Detroit documenting daily life in his neighbourhood. Thanks to the use of film his photography has nostalgic vibes that convey humanity and authenticity, often tied to black empowerment. He focuses on portraiture and daily life documentation, but also makes great videos on YouTube about his creative process with photography.

This album is definitely not unknown, but it's the first sound that came to my mind when thinking about authenticity. Kendrick in general is always very truthful, but this record in specific is really the representation of authenticity, freedom and courage.

Even if you're not a fan of his genre, I encourage you to listen to this album and appreciate not only its sophisticated, yet human, sound, but also what it means to culture. An album that deals with topics very rarely dealt with in music and still taboo to our society, particularly mental health in men.

Unfinished Legacy

Unfinished Legacy is a streetwear brand founded by designer Brema. Born around the practice of screen-printing, the brand is synonym of empowerment, dreams and passion. Each design feels authentic and human, pushing each time the meaning of what it means to be "unfinished" as a person, realising how far we've come, yet knowing how much more we can do.

For those more interested in the creative process of building and managing a brand, screen printing and shooting lookbooks, Brema has one of the best YouTube channels that documents every side of his journey with Unfinished Legacy.

Closed On Sunday - Ye

A man, his land and his family. A slow-paced video, made of just 10 shots, that contrasts the usually flashing high-paced videos. Without any special effects, the video conveys incredible power through the values of unity, love and family.

Malcolm & Marie

A movie for everyone? No. Authentic? Hell yes. Malcolm&Marie, with the masterpiece performances of Zendaya and John David Washington, goes deep into the dynamics of a relationship and what it means to love a person. It's not a love story, it's everything you usually don't see in a love story. And yes, it's in black-and-white.

LV Fashion Eye

Fashion Eye is a series of photography books by Louis Vuitton. Every book depicts a different city or country in the world documented by a different photographer. The places and their cultures are represented through a natural, human and authentic perspective which doesn't deal with the fashion aspect of the brand. Regardless of the timeless photography, the books are beautiful objects to collect and come at a surprisingly affordable price.

🔗 https://eu.louisvuitton.com/eng-e1/stories/fashion-eye-series

Helmut Newton - Milan

For those in Milan, I recently visited the new Helmut Newton exhibition in Milan at Palazzo Reale. If you're interested in fashion and/or photography, this is a must-see. Although some of his work could be considered experimental and surreal, his way of portraying subjects conveys their humanity in such an authentic way.

Failing Forward - Nike Air Max Day by Special

The Nike Air Max 1 '87 as we know it is the result of a previous model, the '86, that had a flaw and was therefore never released. This year, Nike released for the first time "the one before the one", the Air Max 1 '86, and to celebrate its release on Air Max Day, I worked together with Special Milano on the campaign "Failing Forward", sharing the stories of three creatives and how their failures led to success.

I'm liking more and more the idea of "themed" newsletters like this one, in which we take a look at works that all have in common a value or a visual characteristic. Let me know what you think!

And as always, if you find Leo's Folder inspiring I would appreciate if you could share it with friends that might enjoy it too 🖤

Leo ✌🏼