Carlotta Manaigo turns to the clashing styles of a modern Sicilian saint’s day

For one of her recent personal projects, Italian-born photographer Carlotta Manaigo took to the streets of Catania in Sicily to document the peculiarities of a religious festival in the 21st Century. The Festival of Saint Agatha is one of the largest religious festivals in the world, and takes place every February. It sees up to a million people on the streets of Catania to honour the city’s patron saint.

As a seasoned fashion photographer, Carlotta has shot numerous editorials for publications like Dazed & Confused, Numero and Le Monde M Magazine, as well as Net-a-Porter’s editorial platform and backstage photographs for The New York Times Magazine.

Her series Tutti Devoti Tutti bears all the traces of a well-trained eye for fashion, and looks at the clashing styles of the Sicilian youth during the two-day celebrations. “I’m interested in seeing how fashion reveals itself as a fundamental element in everyday life,” Carlotta explains. “How people express themselves through what they wear, and how tradition and modernity mix together.” Part documentary part real-life fashion story, it sees modern sportswear, from Nike tracksuits to Air Force Ones, worn with the traditional devoti dress of white tunics, gloves and black hats.