Literature. Poetry. Existentialism. The dark academia aesthetic is perhaps best described as a pretentious, scholarly demeanor accentuated by moody clothing and a classic novel. It’s essential to maintain a mysterious composure, a hunger for knowledge into the unknown and wallow in nostalgia for the romanticized past, just for the aesthetic. Enjoy a curated gallery of students who donned their dark academia garb, placed in particularly studious locations on UW–Madison’s campus.

Models: Bryce Neels, Angela Rinaldi, Nader AlHanaya

Curated by Jessica Gregory

Photography by Jessica Gregory and Kalli Anderson