It stands to reason that the cover shoot of Bambi Magazine‘s latest issue should be this one. It exists at the surreal place where the lines of shocking and stunning intersect; where you might be too disturbed to want to keep looking but too intrigued to look away. Like a horror movie watched through parted fingers – as if they might offer some flimsy protection from the nightmare being projected on screen – it draws you into its empty corridors and clinical white walls and leaves you there in capable, latex-gloved hands. But capable of what exactly?

Click the thumbnails for full pictures:

The contrast created by Fulvio Maiani and team is ultimate: pristine beauty – complete with porcelain skin and scalpel-sharp haircuts – contrasted against splatters of blood, needles and hospital apparatus. It might be haunting because it makes us question the pains we go through to look beautiful, or it might be haunting for no other reason than it gets under our skin with its visuals… either way, you can bet on being sucked into the dream world Maiani has created and left there unsure of whether you want to stay.

With lab-white outfits styled by Alessandro Buzzi, and immaculate hair and makeup by Lorenzo Cherubini, nothing is out of place in this world except the world itself.

It’s a little bit sinister, a little bit surreal, but never too far from sexy, like Stephen King to the power of Guy Bourdin, and try as you might – you won’t be able to look away.

You can see the full shoot at the gallery, and check out all of the issue at bambimagazine.com.