Through the Lens: Nikk Martin for Paul & Shark

“I didn’t grow up wanting to be a photographer,” Nikk Martin begins telling Hypebeast. “But at some point, I realized the camera gave me permission to slow down, to look at people more closely, to connect. And I think I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since.”

Known for his evocative photography style, the Berlin-based visual artist boasts a rich portfolio that focuses on framing intimate moments between the camera and his subjects. Garnering widespread acclaim for his images’ unique color palette, highlighted by the use of analogue photography and often arduous film developing processing, which permeates his images that occupy multiple disciplines from still life, environmental landscapes, dynamic visuals, and many more.

Approaching his process with a natural flair, it’s all about being in the moment and paying attention to his surroundings that helps Martin capture the perfect shot, explaining, “Some of my best moments have come from letting go, just being present and reacting to what’s really happening.”

For the latest installment of the Through the Lens video series, Hypebeast enlists Martin to capture Paul & Shark’s Riviera Spring/Summer 2025 capsule collection through his distinct visual aesthetic.

Officially founded in 1976 by Paolo Dini, Paul & Shark is a family-run Italian label with a rich legacy in garment craftsmanship, production and fabric sourcing. Now spearheaded by his son, CEO Andrea Dini, who represents the third generation to carry the family business, the brand draws inspiration from the infinite allure of the ocean to find synergy between aesthetics, technical innovation, and commitment to quality.

Heading to Capri, a scenic Italian island off the Gulf of Naples, where the new capsule collection takes its inspiration from, it’s immediately clear that Martin is truly in his creative element. “Water has this ability to mirror emotion. It’s soft, wild, still, restless, all at once,” he says as he approaches the beach looking out into the horizon. “And that’s how I want my work to feel, too.”

As he returns to land, weaving through the narrow streets of the old town, capturing candid images of the public, he explains, “Photography still feels pure to me when it’s about connection. When you’re not trying to create a moment, but to witness it.”

And despite photography partly being about engaging with your subject and directing their movements that fit in line with the vision, the craft is mainly about possessing the eye to achieve the most visually engaging shot, which can come at any time. “I don’t really direct, I observe, I wait, and I try to create a space where something real can happen,” Martin says. “I feel into the light, the emotion in the room, the energy of the person in front of me. It’s instinctual.”

Inspired by the island’s atmosphere, bustling energy, and iconic architecture, the Paul & Shark SS25 capsule collection embraces the spirit of the Mediterranean summer.

As well as iconic patterns, silhouettes, and garment types reinterpreted through a contemporary lens, the refined capsule comprises sweaters, a selection of button-up shirts, and quick-dry swimwear that embrace a minimalist aesthetic which pays tribute to Capri.

Boasting a complete segment that spans various shades of “Azure” to more intense blues, the range’s diverse color palette draws upon the sea’s vast hues. Elsewhere, summery tones of beiges and whites, fused with touches of colour, complete the capsule’s makeover.

While the ocean influence is evident across its offering, it is experimentation that forms the foundation of the new range, marking the brand’s renewed focus on quality. This includes masterfully weaving its Typhoon membrane – an innovative technology that incorporates both wind and waterproof qualities – on a selection of delicate fabrics such as silk, linen, and cashmere, as well as bringing forth its meticulous attention to detail to each garment.

Watch Nikk Martin’s Through the Lens in the video above.

For more information and to explore the full Paul & Shark SS25 collection, visit the brand’s website.