You might know OPIA as the underground rave that celebrates all things “kitschy, slutty, and Avicii-inspired.” Or you might know them as the fashion disruptor duo – Bambi Dyboski and Bautista Botto Barilli – who accidentally made a splash in the industry after “pretending [they] were already famous” and posting fashion skits across social media. 

That said, you might be surprised to learn that OPIA is not a club night, nor is it a fashion brand; it’s a concept. “We’re not nightlife-first, fashion-first or media-first – we’re concept-first,” they explain, with OPIA’s latest project unfolding as an editorial fashion shoot, photographed by Saint and styled by Dax. 

Titled “Sitcoma”, the editorial presents OPIA as doll-like figurines that represent online personas brought to life. It balances the eerie with the kooky – a comment on today’s performative internet personalities, meets OPIA’s signature charm and humour. “It’s a visualisation of descent into madness and how fixation can unravel and rewire an identity,” explained stylist Dax. Dazed also partially inspired the shoot: after landing a spot on the Dazed 100, OPIA were prompted to reflect on their career and wanted to create an editorial that commemorated the moment. Below, Saint, Dax and OPIA take us through the making of it, as well as their fashion predictions for 2026 and what’s inspiring them at the moment.

What’s the concept behind this shoot? 

Saint: It started with the idea of using a dollhouse as a metaworld inhabited by OPIA clones whose sole purpose is to perform. A few DMs later, it organically evolved into a colourful parody of online overconsumption and self-commodification. 

Dax: Collective consciousness. The concept evolved from this idea that someone’s online persona manifests in the way they present IRL. 

OPIA: With OPIA’s recent entry to the Dazed 100 list, we’ve been thinking a lot about the crazy journey it took to get here. Going from an underground fashion-obsessed duo to walking Paris Fashion Week or getting roasted by The Daily Mail for being naked at a PR dinner. The tension between our online persona and our origins is something we’ve really had to wrap our heads around – and is something Saint and Dax were able to help us verbalise. Exploring the sometimes humorous, sometimes jarring disjointment in taking the tube home wearing a runway look. 

OPIA is a crowd identity with a humorous cultural tone. The OPIA girl wears her Jacquemus heels to bed, takes her Moschino corgi handbag out for walks, and she yells on the phone (through her bright blue lip), but she’s not talking to anyone. She’s performing for herself. Self-produced, living in her own Big Brother simulation – she’s a product of a social-media-heavy, fashion-intern-dependent, partygirl world. 

What was on the mood board? 

OPIA: David Lynch’s Rabbits, if it were set in a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion episode. 

The OPIA girl wears her Jacquemus heels to bed, takes her Moschino corgi handbag out for walks, and she yells on the phone (through her bright blue lip), but she’s not talking to anyone. She’s performing for herself

What would be the soundtrack of this shoot? 

Dax: It’s funny because whenever we would try listening to anything but Cece Natalie, it’s like our brains would shut off. Cece kept us sane throughout our entire development process.

Dax, can you talk us through your favourite fashion pulls? 

Dax: The story would not have been complete without the iconic SS26 Loewe jacket-turned-dress. I knew I wanted to balance new season luxury pieces with vintage pieces sourced from second-hand stores. I was able to source these nearly heinous, yet remarkably glamorous necklaces and dresses from a store that had conveniently just opened around the corner from my flat in Kings Cross. Thank you to The Stuffed Pigeon, for truly rounding out the fashion. 

What’s something that’s inspiring you at the moment? 

OPIA: Sissy Misfit in Rick Owens. 

Saint: The Gateway Tapes. 

Dax: Wearing things. 

What are your fashion predictions for 2026?

OPIA: The world seems like it’s lowkey ending. But whereas past doomsdays brought a minimalist conservative style, we see 2026 as a careless maximalist chaos.

Saint: North West entering her King Kylie era.

CREATIVE DIRECTION & PHOTOGRAPHY: SAINT @SAINT________________________ CREATIVE CONSULTING, STYLING & CASTING DIRECTION: DAX REEDY @DAX__________ POST PRODUCTION, SOUND DESIGN & CREATIVE CONSULTING: @BOLUD333 VIDEOGRAPHY, POST PRODUCTION: @MRWIZE__ @EXPORTINGGOOD VIDEO ASSISTANT: @SHEMENROSE MAKE UP: GWEN RYAN @GWEENRYAN MARGHERITA FABBRO: @MARGHERITAFABBROMUA_ HAIR: CHRISTOS BAIRABAS @CHRISCROSSEDD CORY WESTON @CORYWESTON.HAIR SET DESIGN: RACHEL IFEDIORA @RACHEL_IFEDIORA PROP DESIGN & ASSIST: ALICE RILEY @BLIMEY_RILEY MANUELA @MANUMPU MODELS: KATYA BRAITHWAITE @KATYABRAITHWAITE THEO PAPOUI @THEOPAPOUI BAMBI @BUMBLEINO DAX REEDY @DAX__________ MERIAM KOYA, SID BELSON @SIDABELSON STYLING ASSISTANT: @ATTI_________ VENUE: @U24.LONDON