Hello My Friends,
Today I would like to share with you my first project as a creative director.
When I started I had no idea what the project should look like, but I
approached it the way I approach my art. I felt what I needed to do come
intuitively and gradually from within.
I was already a professional makeup artist and hairstylist. I had acquired
a lot of customers. So I though to myself, “What’s next? What more can I
do?” Next and more is to keep creating, to do whatever feels natural. So I
started thinking of creating a team. And it was so hard because there were
so many talented people, each with so many exciting but different ideas,
and all with different schedules. I told everyone who would be involved in
this project that they could do whatever they felt was right. I entrusted them
with the kind of creative freedom that I need to have when I am working.
As a result, I got so many suggestions, but, I must admit, it difficult for me
to share with others verbally what I was feeling on the inside.
We started from scratch.
First, we started looking for the right clothes. If you know me, you know
that I like things to be unique. One of the garments was made of paper
- the girls had created this look - and another outfit was made of some
unusual material as well. The other clothes were given to me by one
designer. She was certain that these clothes were exactly what I needed to
complete the look. And I think she was right.
The preparation took longer than we anticipated. I would put something
together, but then change my mind again and again. I made alterations,
adjustments, modifications… But finally I decided we had to just go with a
look otherwise we would never finish.
For the shoot, I managed to book some castle, but when we got there we
were surprised that after reconstruction this placed looked very different
than I had expected. Since it would be difficult to rent it out again in the
future, I had to decide on the spot how to style my models according to this
location. I chose very natural makeup in order to accent the historical-look of the garments and the site.
Everyone had his and her heart invested in this project. Fortunately, a lot
of my friends were there, especially photographer Alena Soboleva who
always works fast and well. I know it was hard but we did it. We did, what
we could.
Well… today nobody can tell with certainty if it was our own imagination or
if it was actually happening, but it definitely gave us that special mood and
created that authentic magical atmosphere and these very different but all
very strong characters
A Little about Me
The first question I am usually asked is, “Are you a makeup artist or
a hairstylist?” I get so many questions on this theme from my customers. I
can’t just see half your beauty; I love being involved in the entire creative
process. While I am passionate about both, I do have more experience
with hair because I started working with hair even when I was a child. At
that time, I didn’t think about makeup. Can you guess why?
Sometimes my customers inquire me somewhat distrustfully, “Can
you do both equally well?” Yes, I can do both and I love both. And I am
confident that you will love the end result. I don’t see hair and makeup as
separate creative entities. They are merely two aspects of one goal:
executing the desired look for my customer, whatever the occasion.
Another question I am often posed, “Do you prefer working on
wedding looks or fashion looks?” I don’t have a preference and I am
experience in and continual demand for both. I feel lucky that both fields
have made themselves available to me. While, my friends tell me that I
should choose, I think it should be up to my customers. I am there
whenever they need me. However, I do love wedding makeup, which
unlike fashion makeup, is typical much more natural. On the other hand,
my experience on fashion helps me because not every bride wants her
makeup to look completely natural. These days, brides are very creative.
And I think it is very important for a bride to be part of the creative process;
after all, it’s her day.
Sometimes customers wonder, “What is your favorite makeup?” My
favorite makeup is the best makeup for the task. Makeup is unique, like
we are. I get inspiration from you, the customer; you are my muse. I
mean, I’ll ask my customer: “What’s you favorite color? How do you feel
today? Would you like lighter makeup on your eyes or more smoky
makeup?”, and so on. First of all, I consider your feelings, which, I am
aware, may vary from day to day, from occasion to occasion. Then I
regard your form, your clothes. And then, I follow my artistic vision and
extensive experience.
“What about hairstyles?”, customers ask. I like many different styles,
but for me the first and most important thing is that I want to give you a
celebrity look. What do I mean by that? Whether your hair is straight, curly
or wavy it should look natural. Even if you have extensions, it should look
like it’s your hair. I don’t like beautiful but fake styles. This is especially for
weddings and other events. However, when I’m working on a fashion
shoot I prefer creating very attention-grabbing, even crazy looks.
It was such a good time with this beautiful bride from Swedish, she was asking me about very natural look, couse she never wear makeup, probably even for this special day she preferred be the same, just freshly. I got new experience with this girl - no stress, no worries. Someone from my clients recommend myself to her and we decided to do it without a trail. She said: “I just trust to you.” It was funny from the beginning - I came on time at 8, but I got wrong information from email about number apartment, so women opened the door and I showed my letter and it was exactly her address, I started calling to Erica, but area code was different too. Finally I got my bride by email in 10 min, and I felt from her just happiness. So I would like to tell you pretty bride - your wedding depends of your emotion,even if some thing going wrong you have just say: ” Nothing will not distract me on my special day, cause I want to be not just beautiful,but happy and to be sure if something is changing its angels carrying about me.
Some people spend decades searching for the key to unlock their personal style, learning painstakingly over many years the rules of the fashion game. Others seem to emerge practically from the cradle with highly evolved ideas about how they want to dress. I need to be on fashion week systematically , you can see everywhere on this event just unique thing’s. I didn’t choose yet a cloths from some collection for my job, but I got a muse from everyone. From designer - how can be every woman different.! From model’s- how can be beautiful, even you don’t have a long hair :) From photographer - how you can do perfect job if you have not enough time. Dedicated to my friend and very talented photographer ALENA SOBOLEVA . You are the best !!!
Flying Powder
DEWmagazine
Very interesting photoshoot with great people - professional model, good emotions without brake during whole day. Such a big stuff of clothes and a lot of small details . Hair with different coloring powder for every style, it was so difficult to change hair style because there is a lot of powder and hair spray. Very powerful photographer , she got exclusive outfit from different Designer’s . School of visual arts has big and nice studio with professional equipment. Love it.
It was great team, highly Positive and creative people !!!!!! Thanks to everyone .
Photoshoot theme : Geisha from the city
Photographer: Ryan Reich
Model: Jenn Bakalar
All style: Nina MUA
Cold outside, snow-doesn’t matter, if you have such a beautiful model and crazy idea !!!! Even if you don’t have time for prepare everything ( buy a dress and extension hair). You just have to bring longer material , make a hole for the head and wrap the body by scotch. Feather on you head and very creative make up. And your high fashion geisha is ready.
Arielle Bonny Jernigan
