Jwan Yosef embodies essentialism for Autumn–25.

Jwan Yosef stars in the new Autumn–25 Essentials campaign, embodying CDLP’s philosophy of essentialism: a refined approach that distills the wardrobe to its purest form, where utility and sophistication intersect. Captured on the Swedish island of Gotland—long revered as the muse of filmmaker Ingmar Bergman—the cinematic landscape underscores CDLP’s dialogue between art, culture, and craftsmanship, elevating everyday garments into a study of form, texture, and expression.

Born in Syria, raised in Sweden and residing in Los Angeles, Yosef is a conceptual visual artist whose practice explores themes of marginalization, belonging, intimacy, and queer identity. 

– “Jwan represents everything CDLP stands for—artistry, integrity, and a quiet strength that feels both personal and universal. He has an ability to embody essentialism not just in how he dresses, but in how he lives and creates. Gotland’s raw, cinematic landscape mirrors the honesty and refinement we seek in our work—it’s about stripping back the unnecessary and finding beauty in what remains.” 

— Christian Larson, Co-Founder & Creative Director, CDLP

You’ve been friends with Christian for a long time. How does that friendship shape the way you collaborate and bring your own interpretation to the campaign?

Jwan Yosef: Its so stellar going back to 2016 when I first met Christian and he brought me these yellow boxes of underwear (CDLP obv), we've hung out as close friends at my house and around the world and we've worked together professionally throughout the years. At this point there is complete trust and understanding for each other's practices and creative processes. His vision for this campaign was pretty clear and I believe also perfectly adapted to the person and artist that I am.

Gotland is dramatic and raw, but there’s also intimacy in this campaign. How did you find your personal voice within that landscape?

Jwan Yosef: The Island and scenery is so spectacular, you really don't need to do much to heighten the atmosphere. It was an easy task really. The fact that I'm genuinely in awe of this place made things so easy, there's a rawness to it that I feel translates to my own person. I was pretty much asked to play around and have fun and I very much did exactly that. I also have a family home here on the island so there was a very personal connection to this place for me already.

Working with a friend on a project that’s also professional can be rare. What did you discover about Christian, CDLP, or yourself through this process?

Jwan Yosef: What I discovered about Christian is that he is as much engulfed in the process and filming of this as I am. If I'm climbing and rushing up a mountainous pile of rocks, he is right there running behind me and rolling in the dust as I am. It was really a dance of two creatives, it was hilarious and impressive at the same time. We were equally covered in Limestone dust, and facing the same strong winds of the island. At some point me and him and the whole team were raving to Scooter (how much is the fish), we had the best time together.

The campaign is ultimately about simplicity, elegance, and everyday wear. How do you relate to that philosophy in your own life, and how does it connect to the way you and Christian work together?

Jwan Yosef: It’s kind of a goal (maybe motto) I have in my life in general, this quiet, yet extraordinary existence. Somewhat always outside of the box kind of mentality and lifestyle. I would say maybe me and Christian exist in the periphery of this mentality, always a little heightened, always a little discreet.

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