Young Londoners on community, connection and their hopes for 2026
Styling Cristina Firpo
Casting Lisa Dymph Megens
Photographer Vivek Vadoliya captures the young creatives keeping the beating heart of London alive.
At a time when the world feels increasingly polarised, photographer Vivek Vadoliya was drawn to explore what truly defines a city: its people, its mix of cultures, and the quiet ways community shows up within the metropolis.
This series brings together portraits of Londoners from all walks of life, photographed in the places that shape their everyday lives. Raw and real, Vadoliya captures how individuality and togetherness coexist. “London has always been special to me because of the many different lives that coexist here,” he says. “I’m always trying to celebrate ordinary people. For me, that looks like people who may be marginalised – not necessarily limited to race or colour.”
The British Asian photographer and director, based between London, New York and Mumbai, is known for work marked by warmth, generosity and intimacy. Drawing on his Asian roots, Vadoliya blends documentary, fashion and portraiture to create images that celebrate humanity’s interconnectedness. “I’m interested in people you might walk past on the street,” he continues.
So what are his hopes for 2026? “I hope this year brings more moments of genuine interaction — opportunities for important conversations that help bridge gaps and create connection. Whether those conversations are difficult or easy, what matters is that they happen.”
Here, he captures 20 young creatives – from filmmakers and fine artists to music producers – asking each what they hope for the future, offering a snapshot of optimism for the year ahead.
I’m always trying to celebrate ordinary people. For me, that looks like people who may be marginalised, and that’s not necessarily limited to race or colour, that can be in lots of different ways. I’m interested in people who you might walk past on the street.
VIVEK VADOLIYA
ARYAN WEARS JACKET BY WOOYOUNGMI AND HAT AND EARRING HIS OWN
ESTOTERIC ANGEL WEARS DRESS BY BORA ASKU AND SHOES HER OWN
In 2026, I’m excited to get out and do stuff and be creative. I’m looking forward to getting back into music, working and connecting with people who share the same passions as me.
ARYAN SINGH SHARMA, MUSIC PRODUCER
The world is looking pretty bleak at the moment, but I’m optimistic that people are starting to see through things. It is very much a time where we don’t know what is going to happen. It could get worse, it could get better, so I’m not sure what I could say about my hopes globally, but for myself I am grateful that I have people that I care about. The fact that I have community means I know I am always going to be ok.
ESTOTERIC ANGEL, PERFORMER
SALWA WEARS TOP AND JEANS BY PAOLINA RUSSO AND JEWELLERY AND SHOES HER OWN
AKIF WEARS JUMPER, TROUSERS AND SHOES BY VIVIENNE WESTWOOD. NECKLACE AND SHIRT HIS OWN
I’m always amazed by the number of different lived experiences that happen here in London. No matter who you meet there’s always something different about the way they grew up. It’s always great to learn about different perspectives.
AKIF RAHMAN, SPATIAL PRACTITIONER
Globally I’m optimistic that people are realising their voice more. Global activism is a real thing. To see how young people are using social media, and their voices and their thoughts to make really massive changes is stunning to me. So I hope to see more of that in the years to come.
SALWA RAHMAN, CREATIVE
KAMILLA WEARS TOP BY TOLU COKER,SKIRT BY VIVIENNE WESTWOOD AND TIGHTS STYLSITS OWN
In London, what makes it so beautiful is that we have diversity, we have so many different cultures in this city. There are so many beautiful green spaces, so many things you can do for free. There’s freedom to be whoever you want to be.
KAMILLA GULIEVA, PSYCHOTHERAPIST
HIDIGO WEARS JACKET AND SKIRT BY BIANCA SAUNDERS, TIGHTS STYLISTS OWN, SHOES AND JEWELLERY HER OWN
There isn’t anywhere like London. The people, the community, everything is lively and exciting. I’m optimistic for the growth of left wing socialist community.
HIDIGO DULANE, DOCTOR
THEA WEARS JUMPER BY LA FETICHE, SKIRT BY SIMONE ROCHA AND TIGHTS AND SHOES HER OWN
I think it’s an interesting time in politics. I think it is scary and a lot of it worries me, but I see it also as a time of opportunity as well.
THEA GIBBS, TEACHER
PAUL WEARS ALL CLOTHING HIS OWN
FARREN WEARS ALL CLOTHING HIS OWN
London is special because it’s a real melting pot of cultures. With that comes knowledge, different perspectives, and a constant exchange of ideas from all over the world. It makes the world feel bigger and more open in a way that’s hard to find elsewhere.
FARREN CUMMINGS, CO-FOUNDER, BROADWAY MOVEMENT
PAUL AVOKI, BOXING COACH, BROADWAY MOVEMENT
Broadway Movement is a community-led fitness and wellbeing collective based around London Fields and Broadway Market.
HORNET WEARS DRESS BY KATYA ZELENTSOVA AND TIGHTS HER OWN
In 2026, I am excited to start fresh. I have found my people here in London. I love how I have been accepted here regardless of where I have come from and how much of a melting pot London is.
HORNET, MUSICIAN
JACK WEARS JUMPER BY CRAIG GREEN, TROUSERS BY OSCAR OUYANG AND SHOES BY PAUL SMITH
CASSIA WEARS JACKET AND TROUSERS BY LOEWE, SHOES AND JEWELLERY HER OWN
My dad got me into music when I was growing up. He would sing a lot of music to me and that made me interested in it. The music and the music culture here is quite good. There’s a lot of creative people around here.
JACK, MUSCIAN
This year has taught me to slow down. I was really obsessed with letting people know I was here and posting work even if it didn’t align with me. I have gotten to a point where I am not proving myself to anyone in regards to the skills I have. I know I can shoot, I can make art, so I am allowing myself to withdraw and not putting stuff out to the public too much and really work on my craft.
CASSIA AGYEMAN, FINE ARTIST
FROM LEFT: CHAIM WEARS JUMPER BY LUEDER, NECKLACE, TROUSERS AND SHOES HIS OWN. ROSHAN WEARS JACKET ARIES, TIE, SHIRT, SHOES, BELT AND TROUSERS HIS OWN. NATASHA WEARS JACKET DRESS AND SHOES BY CHARLIE COSTANTINOU, TIGHTS STYLIST’S OWN. NAVAEH WEARS DRESS BY CHOPOVA LOWENA, JUMPER BY ARIES, SHOES BY CHARLIE CONSTANTINOU AND TIGHTS STYLIST’S OWN
I am graduating next year. I am excited for the real world. I can do a lot more things, other than just studying. Globally, I want everyone to be peaceful and happy.
ROSHAN, STUDENT
I am excited for new experiences and maybe going to Japan next year. Globally you never know what’s going to happen, so I am just excited for new things to happen.
CHAIM, STUDENT
FROM LEFT: ROMEO WEARS JACKET AND TROUSERS BY ROBYN LYNCH, SHOES HIS OWN. JAZZ WEARS TOP BY OSCAR OUYANG, JEANS BY SAUL NASH AND SHOES HIS OWN. RIVER WEARS JACKET AND TROUSERS BY BIANCA SAUNDERS, SHOES HIS OWN. CACHE WEARS TOP AND JEANS BY PALACE AND SHOES KIKO KOSTADINOV. RIO WEARS JUMPER BY ROBYN LYNCH AND TROUSERS SAUL NASH, SHOES HIS OWN
It can only go up from here. So much more is to come in 2026. We are all on the right path, and there’s a lot of opportunity that will come. Building the right connections, genuine connections and working on yourself.
THAKE FAMILY
RIVER, ACTOR AND MODEL
JAZZ, FILM STUDENT
RIO, ACTOR AND MODEL
CACHE, PROFESSIONAL DANCER
ROMEO, PERFORMANCE ART STUDENT
3STACKS WEARS JACKET BY PALACE AND JUMPER, T SHIRT AND SHOES BY NIKE
I try not to think about the future too much and only focus on the present. Globally, I’m optimistic that music can connect different sides of the world. People really connect through music, whether it’s live or just connecting over an artist. As a consumer or a creator, art brings us closer together.
3STACKS, FILMAKER
LENKA WEARS SHIRT BY ACNE AND TROUSERS BY MAYEU, JEWELLERY MODELS OWN
Everything is on your door step in London
LENKA DELLA-PORTA, ARTIST
Photography Vivek Vadoliya at East Photographic
Styling Cristina Firpo at Jones MGMT
Casting Lisa Dymph Megens at Industry Art
Photography Assistants Lilah Culliford & Tilly Wace
Production Art Production
Post Production Imagine
Film Processing Rapid Eye Darkroom
Hand Printing Sarah England
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