The 1960’s are alive and well in Louisville, Kentucky at Absolute Studio. This retro inspired collection was photographed at Absolute Studio here in town. Team members Genna Yussman Greene and I love dabbling in vintage theme photoshoots incorporating our own flair and some modern artistry to give the photoshoot our own signature flavor. We invited in local body painter and mua, Matt Goodlett.

image by Genna Yussman Greene/Absolute Studio

Never one to stifle anyone’s creative, both Genna and I created a diverse vision board and gave free range to all the artists involved in this collaboration to bring their own artistry to the table. I really enjoy working with different artists as I feel this helps to elevate ones work.

Scheduling is probably the most challenging aspect of photoshoots. We were doing this pre Christmas so the season was already in full boom in our respective careers and the models window of opportunity was short with the impending holiday. We book four models from the region. I enjoy working with models that I have rapport with from past projects but I also love working with new models. We had a great set of young ladies who more than brought the drama for the camera lens.

Of course a lot of prep work is required to execute a stellar photoshoot. Week going into planning as well as a lot of communication to ensure everyone involved understand their roles. Genna spent a lot of time curating the vintage wardrobe collection as well as finding the right accessories and props. I spend a lot of time making two custom wigs for this collection. Hand sewn, cut and styled. I love the transformation of the models using wigs and hairpieces. In addition this would also help with timing as I would have four models I was responsible for doing hair for and having the wigs done in advanced helps big time. Models Alicia and Lucy would wear the custom wigs.

The shoot which took place at the studio was a cold December and we spent the entire day prepping the models, styling them and photographing them in various hairstyles, makeup and wardrobe changes. Matt created two unique make up styles. The first was very true to the 60’s with bright tones and dramatic liner. His second looks were more avante gard driven and included elaborate body painting on each of the girls.

Staying true to the 1960’s Matt painted lashes on all the models. I especially loved the white lipstick he painted on model Lucy’s lips for one of her looks. Cat eyes and winged eyeliner as well as heavily contrasting eyelids were done all on the models.

I kept the styles fairly sleek for each of the models and for Dakota I used custom clip in fringe.. I was channeling Cher for this look and used a straightening iron throughout her entire head of hair for a sleek finish.

For model Kelsey, I had to first set her hair by applying a volumizer and styling her hair to give it body and to smooth our her curls. I then reset her hair with a large curling iron of which I allowed to cool and set. Afterwards the hair was brushed out and lightly teased. I wanted that big 60’s volume. Very go-go girl. I especially love the glasses Genna paired Kelsey with for one of the images. It reminded me a lot of modern Tom Ford adds but with a sixties flavor.

Kelsey second look was quickly wrapped up in a french twist. Cyndi assisted Genna dressing all the models and prepping each set design.

Our collection, “Mod Moods” was published during quarantine in the April 2020 issue of Picton Magazine. I was so grateful to see this collection release. The entire team worked so hard and the models brought so much energy to the project. Thank you to Picton Magazine for the lovely spread.

Credits

Photography/Wardrobe: Genna Yussman Greene @gennayussman

Hair/Video: Matthew Tyldesley @hairbymatt

Make Up: Matt Goodlett @mattgoodlettmakeup

Assistant: Cyndi Snow @x2cgirl

Models:

Alicia Antonia @aliciaantonia

Dakota Bruton @dakotabruton.model

Lucy Duane (Heyman Talent Agency) @lucyduane

Kelsey Straub @straubooty

2019 IBI Awards International Award Winning Image/ Best Braid Hairstyle “Arcadia Blooms”

Amazing concepts come from everywhere and at any time. About two summers ago I had thought about doing a hairstyling collection with braids inspired by my backyard pond and floral garden. The concept was in the early stages of development and I had shared the idea with my friend Genna Yussman Greene. I had a general direction for where I wanted to go for hairstyling but had not finalized what I was thinking for wardrobe or make up. I had put together a vision board with paper fashions and bold eye make up. I would have Genna do both the styling and the photography and Isidro Valencia for make up.

2019 IBI Award Finalist Best Undo/Upstyle“Arcadia Blooms” — 2019 IBI Award Finalist Best Undo/Upstyle
“Arcadia Blooms”

I spent two days practicing on my mannequins. Spending alot of time on them meant having sore hands and fingers. Blow drying long hair, practicing sectioning, various braids and braiding techniques. I used hair pads and lots of hairstyling products. I used hot tools, clips and lots of hairspray on these days. I took photos with my camera phone and sent to both Genna and Isidro. Genna sent me camera pics back of the wardrobe she was putting together. I was able to visualize the model’s face when I created the looks which made the day of the photoshoot easier to adapt the style to the models.

Our studio (Absolute Studio) was freezing in December and I staggered the models through out the day. Each model took over two-three hours per styling along with an hour of makeup. The girls turn up the heat for Genna while she took photos but we were all freezing. Fortunately the entire shoot was worth it at a whopping ten hour day plus an additional 6 hour day for the second day.

award winning Image IBI 2019 award winner. image by Genna Yussman Greene / Absolute Studio

I could not have asked for a better set of talented models. I booked Theresa Krosse, Chelsey Malm and Dakota Bruton. I had decided last minute along with Genna to introduce a fourth hairstyle and with that we added an additional shoot day and another model, Lucy Duane. Each look was very technical and showcased intricate braiding and long hairstyling and finishing. The make up Isidro created was bold and clean and really showcased the beauty of each model’s bone structure.

IBI 2019 Finalist / image by Genna Yussman Greene / Absolute Studio

Chelsey’s hairstyle consisted of a braided hair veil that draped the side of her face and formed from on scalp braids. I set her hair with a curling iron with the remainder of her hair. Afterwards the hair was backcombed, brushed and styled into shape.

Theresa’s look is all about texture. I created a lot of on scalp braids and a large fish tail on top of her head. The ends of the braids after securing with micro bands I wrapped them around large hair pins and heat styled them with a hair iron. This technique in the beauty industry is referred to as “Rick Racking”. Afterwards the hair was brushed out and sprayed with hairspray.

A lot of hairdressing went into each look. Hair was set on each model first using Redken’s Gut 10. Hair was braided using Water Wax, Braid Aid and set with the Sam Villa texture iron, straightening iron and marcel iron in some combination on the four models. Hairsprays of choice were Fashion Works 12, Control Addict 28 and Triple Dry 32.

lucy’s hairstyle included on scalp braids that curved the rounds of the head. I created a textured high ponytail I then brought across the top toward the face. I took the ends of the braid and secured them on top the ponytail and pulled the hair between the braids. I created a single braided rose on her left side. I used Water Wax on the braids for control and lots of shine. I liked the contrast of the textured, matte ponytail with the sleekness of her braids.

For Dakota’s hairstyle. I did a lot of ponytail on the back and sides of her head. I backcombed a large section and secured with pins. I did several fishtail braids that I fanned out and wrapped over the backcombed section. The front of her hair did on scalp braids and I formed the ends of the braids into flowers. You can see below how I changed my design from the mannequin prep day below.

Isidro convinced me to enter the 2019 IBI awards (International Beauty Industry Awards) I entered three of the looks. I found out on October 1st one of the images won the award for “Best Braided Styles” and a second image was named a finalist for, “Best Undo Hairstyle”. I could not believe it and was beyond thankful. Our team worked so hard.

The entire collection was submitted for publication and published in a four page spread in Feroce Magazine in the July 2019 issue. The collection had a snippet featured in the June 2019 of Beauty Launchpad magazine.