Fantasy has always been my main source of escaping the harsh realities of being alive. Whether it be simply daydreaming or creating surreal imagery through artistic narratives and visual elements, my brain tends to gravitate towards imaginary realms while difficult situations are being thrown my way in the real world. Especially nowadays, it’s really daunting to take on all the horrific facts of the world that we’re forced to live with each day. While escapism and imagination may not be suitable for every single scenario, they serve as a source of blissful distraction for the majority of people. I wanted this seventh issue of Fishnet to be a literal representation of this tendency to gravitate towards the fantastical. The inherent contrast between what we associate fantasy with and what we associate realism with was at the forefront of my mind whilst researching the concept for this summer issue. Art history shows that the combination of realism and surrealism can create some of the most powerful statements. It's not a matter of choosing one style over the other; instead, it’s about how they complement each other to form a richer narrative. In a variety of artworks—whether from centuries ago or the contemporary era—fantastical elements often contrast with grittier themes, enhancing their impact and resonance. I've always enjoyed exploring the contrast between different visual elements in my photography and styling work. However, for this issue, I wanted to take a more literal approach to the idea of juxtaposition in art. I believe that combining fantasy and realism creates the strongest and most relevant pairing, emphasizing the inherent attraction I often have towards contrasting elements.