Florence Pugh’s Stunning Tudum Magazine Shoot for ‘East of Eden’ Is Black-and-White Perfection

Avatar photoRobert Milaković
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Florence Pugh has evolved significantly as a fashion-shoot subject. Initially, posing for magazines made her feel lost and self-conscious in designer outfits, as she hadn’t yet mastered how to make them work for her. Over time, she learned to embrace her body, perfect her poses, and advocate for herself on set.

This growth is evident in her latest shoot for Tudum Magazine, which coincides with a pivotal moment in her career. The highly anticipated limited series ‘East of Eden’ has just premiered on Netflix, and the streaming service’s magazine has given her the cover spotlight to match.

On October 1, Tudum Magazine unveiled images of ‘East of Eden’ star Florence Pugh. The black-and-white photographs are both moody and sculptural, infusing a dramatic flair into just two images.

In the first shot, Pugh is captured in profile against a bright white backdrop, her hair styled in a loose, upswept manner that beautifully frames her face. The second image features a full-length portrait with a dark background, showcasing her in an oversized black hat and a strapless black dress adorned with straps across the bodice and a flowing sheer train, one foot elegantly propped on a stool.

Additional images from the shoot, featured alongside the cover story in Tudum, maintain the same theatrical vibe. They include a dramatic feathered headpiece, a decorative lace blindfold, and a distressed dress with wire skirt elements, all captured in striking black and white.

Daniel Jackson, a British photographer who works between New York, London, and beyond, shot these images. With a background in sculpture from Chelsea School of Art, he previously served as first assistant and studio manager to David Sims. He regularly contributes to i-D and has also worked with The Last Magazine, Self Service, and T: The New York Times Style Magazine.

His sculptural background contributes to the architectural quality of the photos featuring Pugh. He has collaborated with her before, including on her US Vogue February 2020 cover story.

The timing of this magazine feature is intentional. The story, titled “Florence Pugh Found Herself East of Eden” and penned by Krista Smith, coincides with the Netflix release of ‘East of Eden’. Zoe Kazan’s seven-episode adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel began streaming on October 1.

In ‘East of Eden’, Pugh portrays Cathy Ames, the enigmatic antiheroine central to the narrative. Christopher Abbott and Mike Faist play Adam and Charles Trask, whose lives intertwine with hers. Pugh was first connected to the project in 2022 and also serves as an executive producer.

Kazan wrote and executive produced all seven episodes. Her grandfather, filmmaker Elia Kazan, directed a 1955 film adaptation featuring James Dean, but she opted for a different approach. She expressed to Tudum that the story “needs to be epic and intimate,” a vision that aligns with the scale and personal tone of the shoot.

Filmed extensively in New Zealand, the series recreates Steinbeck’s setting in early 20th-century California. For Pugh, this role marks new territory, as she navigates decades of a woman’s life throughout the series. According to Tudum, she has noted that portraying female characters who are often unlikable in literature and film has become somewhat of a signature for her.

Pugh made her film debut in ‘The Falling’ in 2014 and starred in the 2016 drama ‘Lady Macbeth’. She later appeared in Greta Gerwig’s ‘Little Women’, portrayed Yelena Belova in ‘Black Widow’, and featured in ‘Don’t Worry Darling’. This diverse range of roles makes her portrayal of Cathy a natural progression.

The Tudum images also highlight how far she has come from her early, insecure shoots. Rather than seeking to fit into the clothes, she now commands the frame, whether through a bold silhouette, a theatrical hat, or a striking profile.

With ‘East of Eden’ now streaming and the cover story published, Pugh finds herself in a moment that beautifully combines powerful imagery with a significant role. The photos set a compelling tone before viewers even press play on an episode.

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