About a year ago, my good friend and designer Genna Yussman as me to create a new wig collection to highlight her 10 piece couture collection. I gladly said yes as I had seen her designs. Our intentions would be to have the collection walk the runway and then have it shot for editorial. She was asked by Louisville Bespoke creator, Yamilca Rodriquez to be the highlight and finale of of her show.

Genna Yussmans original design sketches/concept

For the Runway Genna wanted me to alter grey wigs so she purchased 10 longs wigs and I spent a few weeks cutting various geometric fringes and braids on them so they would all be cohesive yet different. The collection was a huge hit.

models live from Louisville Bespoke's runway fashion show

The editorial however would be completely different as she would modify the wardrobe and we selected 10 models that could execute the high fashion looks. I spent several weeks and a small fortune ordering the materials I need. I would then alter, cut, style and make new wigs from wefts and wig caps that would be all new and original for the photoshoot. The ten piece wig collection took me over ten weeks to finish with my other endeavors and were all colored using Redken's City Beats fashion colors.

gemetric layers one of the wigs in progress

Another exciting part of the shoot, we had a hairstylist that had won a day mentorship through Redken and American Salon Magazine and they flew Mazey Combs from Wichita Kansas to assist on set.

with American Salon winner and hairstylist, Mazey Combs

We were honored to have Make up artist Isidro Valencia who created 10 various make up looks to compliment hair and wardrobe. We had photographer, Derek Hibben photograph this collection for a total of 14 hours at Diamonds Pub in louisville Kentucky.

After the shoot we submitted five of the beauty images to the Canadian Hairdresser's competition "The Contessa" and were fortunate to have them place as a semi-finalist in the "International Hairstylist" category. The Fashion/editorial images a part of The Popular Magazine.

fixing hair on wet with model, Dakota Bruton

bts making of video "Diamonds in the Rough"

Credits

Wardrobe/Creative Dir/Finishing | Genna Yussman Greene

Hair | Matthew Tyldesley

Make up | Isidro Valencia

Photography | Derek Hibben

Hair Assistants | Mazey Combs & Michelle Villareal

Assistant | Jamykal Logan & David Wate

Models |

Dakota Bruton

Katya Estes

David Farsetti

Jasmine Graham

Dominique Joy

Mallory Rose Mim

Katy Ngo

Justin Sinkler

Brooke Taylor

BTS images | David Spangler

I love Avant Garde hairstyling, anything goes. This collection stems from my love for all things horror and sci fi. I wanted this collection to have the asian horror feel to it and the models would become these beautiful, macabre "mutants". I wanted the hair to create visual movement, that similar to water pouring from a pitcher.

The complete collection photographed by Jacob Roberts

I knew I did not want wardrobe for this collection and instead opted for body make up by award winning make up artist, Isidro Valencia. We had previously worked together with photographer, Jacob Roberts who shot Isidro's Make up collection a year prior. I knew I wanted him to photograph this collection based on his style of photography.

The team for "Anomaly"image by Derek Hibben — The team for "Anomaly"
image by Derek Hibben

This collection was 1 of 5 shoots executed in the winter of 2016 for NAHA 2017. Although it was not nominated we were honored to have it featured on Bangstyle.

I did some preliminary sketches for inspiration but was most inspired when I visited a local hair shop and fund two-toned hair extensions in various lengths. I took them home and quickly unpackaged them. I hand cut wire mesh to create the base for the hairpieces by shaping them into "stair like" pieces in various lengths.

I then meticulously hot glued the extensions parallel onto the mesh frames. The top pieces were created by cutting the hair away from the "weft" and sewing them into the shape to dorm the top of the hairpieces.

model Max Whelanmake up Isidro Valencia — model Max Whelan
make up Isidro Valencia

I love creating something that will eventually be adapted to the model's head. I was very happy with models I booked for this collection. I wanted both male and female models.

the blonde shape.... you can see were the top is made of the wefted piece from hair extensions

model Jasmine Grahammake up Isidro Valencia — model Jasmine Graham
make up Isidro Valencia

To adhere the hair pieces to each models head, scalp hair was cornrowed to create a supportive base for hair and bobbie pins. The top pieces were created by cutting hair extension at the "wefted" (where the hair was sewn together) coverging them together with needle and thread.

styling hair on MaxImage by Derek Hibben — styling hair on Max
Image by Derek Hibben

Prep time for each model average 2 1/2 hours for both hair and make up for a total of 7 hours. We started early on a cold morning fortunately I rented a nice studio space at Breckingridge Inn. We staggered the models so they would be fresh and energized for their time in front of the lens and to give us adequate time to ready each model. I made sure to have plenty of food on set to keep everyone happy.

Working with Isidro is amazing. We always pair well together on set. He created a red contour look on each of the models bodies an faces, Dark rimmed eyeliner on the female models and red lips on all models.

it takes a village working with isidro to prefect the look on max

I loved the lighting set up and the way that Jacob photographed the models. Each of the models really brought the characters to life,

checking images on camera | selecting the best picture of each model

discussing the subjects on cameraimage by Derek Hibben — discussing the subjects on camera
image by Derek Hibben

I submitted the collection to Lori Balsamian at Bangstyle and she loved the collection and wanted to exclusively feather it.

Credits

Hair | Matthew Tyldesley @hairbymatt

Photography | Jacob Roberts @jacobroberts.photo

Make up | Isidro Valencia @valencia0612

Models | Jasmine Graham @jas.nicole22

| Brooke Taylor @modelbrooketaylor

| Max Whelan @notrealmaxwhelan

bts making video of Anomaly

I was so grateful for the team. It's amazing to see a collection materialize from a concept start to finish. The process can be time consuming booking all the right people and gathering an building all the components but when everyone brings their talents that when magic is created.