Succubus. Vampire. Demon. Creatures of the Night. Years ago I did a a collaborative series fueled by my love of horror films and halloween. It would exercise my passion for fashion and hair, produce two sequel, involve lots of talented artists, published three times and created an amazing experience. Looking back in retrospect we created a timeless body of work that is worth a revisit….The Succubus Chronicles

Succubus Origins image by Joey Goldsmith

dream team: discussing our vision captured image by Gary Barragan

Succubus Origins photo by Joey Goldsmith

The initial collection was conjured together with award winning make up artist, Isidro Valencia and with published photographer, Joey Goldsmith. The three of us discussed our love for all things macabre and dark and wanted to create a serious collection inspired by the folklore of the “succubus”. I was responsible with both hair and styling along with creative direction with both Joey and Isidro. We secured three models and got permission to shoot at the historical Culbertson Mansion in Downtown Louisville, Kentucky.

selfie with photographer, Joey and videographer, Blake

We spent an entire day at the eerie Culbertson mansion with its beautiful construction and full of historical antiques. I was not allowed to use hairspray whatever on the premises as it would collect in the air and unto the vintage heirlooms. That was a fun challenge. I was also in charge of styling and purchased expensive garments from Goodwill of which I paired jewelry and accessories.

Joey did an amazing job of telling a story with the three models we had. He scouted various areas of the mansion prior to setting up lights and for staging every area we utilized. Jacey Calloway was our lead who created the allure and beauty a succubus needs in order to drain the life and energy from her victims. Chris Diaz and Erica Goldsmith play the unsuspecting couple that venture into the home of the succubus. As the night progress so do Jacey’s power and both Erica and Chris become creatures of the night.

styling Elora’s mane. Image by Gary Barragan

s-3NyELzD7gs8d9GXPYdnY3FjrUSIx3wFWjncudEfQQ,RkZFwhNx8gWCqU9AiGMtuxO5vhx0cLcjX5LFOQBBgR0.jpeg — Succubus Origins image by Joey Goldsmith

Isidro created a very clean palette that encompassed the sultriness the models needed but turned it up a notch when the Succubus turned into her dark form. Heavy kohl rimmed eyes and defined brows with lots of contour and red lips. For hair I made a lot of custom extensions but wanted lots of texture with curls and lots of volume. Kind of the old world meets the new world for a timeless feel.

bts of my working area: tools and vision board to bring the vision to life

We had custom nails designed by nail designer Maritza Cabalerro and had bts imaged photographed by Gary Barragan. The collection, “Succubus” debuted in Australia’s Like a Lion magazine fall issue.

Teaser for the upcoming Succubus-Incubus fashion editorial. Goldsmith photography Matthew tyldesley Redken artist Valencia make-up Liberty Designs Dark Heart Creative

Succubus Incubus photo by Joey Goldsmith

amazing working design bts by Genna Yussman Greene worn by Jacey

A sequel was brought up a year later and we wanted to go bigger and harder with this one. So many ideas came to mind but we knew the fashions would play a larger role for this and so we asked designer Genna Yussman Greene to create a collection for a follow up to our Succubus. She created a very slick and sexy collection in dark hues of red, violet and black featuring various textures, slim fitting and strategically showed off skin.

SUCCUBUS BTS VIDEO BY DARK HEART CREATIVE

working design bts by Genna Yussman Greene worn by Erica and Elora

We talked about using Jacey as our lead and inviting both Erica and Chris back but needed to up the ante and added two new models, Elora Antunez and John Wells. We split the shooting in two days. Day one was at ThoughtFly Studios and focused more on the artistry of hair and make up and was strictly beauty images. Day 2 was on location in full fashion editorial mode. This way we created two collections with two completely different vibes using the same models.

Genna’s original designs based on our vision per our meetings

This time we got permission to use the lovely home of Janice Carter Levitch who had home in the highlands: Old gorgeous home covered with lots of shrubbery, stones and trees. There were lots of areas outside that provided a beautiful landscaped to create the darker world of the Succubus.

wardrobe touch up and model posing inspiration with Genna

capturing both stills and video of Jacey and John with Blake and Joey. Image by Gary Barragan

We again invited photographer, Gary Barragan back again to shoot bts images and brought in videographer, Blake McGrew who filmed promotional teasers and a small documentary. Maritza Cabellero was gracious again to create new set of nails for all the models to wear.

John and Erica on set with Joey. Image by Gary Barragan

working design bts by Genna Yussman Greene worn by Jacey

We spent an entire day (14 hours) staging, prepping models and photographing all models. We were tired but knew we had made magic. Isidro pushed the makeup much more: much darker and harder and I turned up the hair full fashion runway volume with classic waves and vampy curls.

Joey capturing Elora behind the lens. Image by Gary Barragan

our creatures of the night, Elora, Jacey & Chris

The collection, “Succubus / Incubus” debuted an impressive spread as well as grace the cover of Imperial Magazine’s fall issue and our beauty collection, “Succubus: Creatures of the Night” was a Bangstyle exclusive collection.

I am beyond proud of these collections, the amount of work that went into them and the artists that combined their gifts and talents to create these timeless collections.

so much fun on set. image by Gary Barragan

Succubus: Children Of The Night photo by Joey Goldsmith

CREDITS

Photography/Creative Direction | Joey Goldsmith @joeygoldsmithphoto

Hair/Creative Direction | Matthew Tyldesley @hairbymatt

Make Up/Creative Direction | Isidro Valencia @valencia0612

Wardrobe | Genna Yussman Greene @gennayussman

MODELS

Jacey Calloway @hownowmeowcatt

Erica Goldsmith @ericagoldsmithactress

Chris Diaz @chrisryandiaz

Elora Antunez @mermaidqueen25

John Scott Wells @john_scott_well

BTS Photography | Gary Barragan @photobygaryb

Videography | Blake McGrew | Dark Heart Creative @darkheartcreative

Make Up Assistant | Anna Catalina Perez @anacperezhmua

Wardrobe Assistants | Kali Shmuckie | Jamie Boston Guest

Special Thanks to Culbertson Mansion, Like A Lion Magazine, Imperial Magazine, Bangstyle and Janice Carter Levitch, Eric Baker and ThoughtFly Studios.

Jacey behind the lens with Joey. Image by Gary Barragan

the make up master working on his canvas

with my Bestie, Isidro. Image by Gary Barragan

memorabalia: digital tearsheet from Like A Lion

memorabilia: featured collection from Bangstyle

I was really excited when Redken released it's vivid hair color line, "City Beats" and I wanted to create a bold hair color collection for competition.

This collection was 1 of 5 shoots executed in the winter of 2016 for NAHA 2017. Although it was not nominated, I submitted the collection for publication and was honored to have it grace the pages of Beauty Launchpad Magazine.

I really had to think about a good concept but nothing had come to mind until I took a vacation to Key West with my husband, Eric. I figured I could take lots of photos for inspiration. I practically took photos of everything. Once I returned home I sorted through the images and found 3 sources of inspiration. The view of the Southernmost point beach front, two colorful shot guns homes on a residential street and a the beautiful Queen Angelfish from the Key West Aquarium.

Before attempting the looks on the models it was imperative to create the looks on mannequins first. I order several mannequins for practice from Pivot Point and created pattern on the mannequins and place different shades on different areas of the head. Afterwards I could analyze the looks and make changes when adapting the looks on the models.

Next it was time to book the photographer. I had recently done a couple photoshoots with Jenni Harper Young of Harper Young Photography. I asked her if she would be interested in shooting this collection and she gladly said yes.

I booked make up artist master, Isidro Valencia and designer/stylist Genna Yussman Greene to work on this collection. The date was set, the team and now for the models. I booked both models and clients for this one with models that had to be completely open to a drastic but amazing change. I had them come in for a 7 hour hair prep that involved multiple treatments, pre lightening, toning, coloring and cutting.

For Vickie, she had some grown out blonde ends with quite a bit of regrowth. I pre lightened her hair twice with Flashlift lightener and pH Bonder. After processing, shampooing and drying the hair the final colors of Broadway Blue and Taxi Cab Yellow were applied to her hair.

Vicki hair was previously lightened by me so I had to focus on her regrowth and do a decolorizing on her ends. Afterwards the final colors of Coral and Teal were strategically placed on her hair.

For Chris, I pre lightened his hair twice with Redken Flashlift lightener and ph Bonder. Lightening his ends first and then his root area. Pre tone with Shades EQ gloss 09P then I was able to apply Brooklyn Blue, High Line Green and Broadway blue to his hair.

I created this shag layered cut on Vicki with a soft side fringe and face framing layers. For Styling I round brushed the hair with Guts 10 for volume and set the curls with a 2" marcel ceramic Hot Tools curling Iron and Hot Sets 22. Hair was cooled and brushed brushed out and finished with Fashion Works 12 and Control Addict 28.

For Perri's haircut I lightly layered her hair and tightened up her fringe. Hair was styled with Guts 10 and Set with a curling iron with Iron Shape 11, Cooled, brushed out and set with Triple Take 32 and Shine Flash 03.

I did this undercut with my And is "Envy" clippers directly on scalp and layered the top length with my 7" Sam Villa shears. Hair was styled with Pillow Proof Primer, Argan 6 oil and Iron Shape 11. Finished with Mess Around 10 and Control Addict 28.

tearsheet from Beauty Launchpad Magazine

Credits

Hair | Matthew Tyldesley @hairbymatt

Photography | Harper Young Photography @jharrrper www.harperyoungphoto.com

Make Up | Isidro Valencia @valencia0612

Styling | Genna Yussman Greene @gennayussman

Models | Vickie Tang @lunarlurker

| Perri Fields @perrierleigh

| Chris Diaz (Heyman Talent Agency) @chrisryandiaz

The day of the shoot was a lot of fun, we started early at Jenni's Studio. We made sure to have plenty of food for everyone. It took two hours for each model. It is always a pleasure to have Genna and Isidro on set. Isidro created a soft smoky eye, nude lip and make up to enhance the facial features of each model. Genna did these "Net" dresses and tops for the the models for an aquatic feel and Jenni did an excellent job of capturing the looks.

I submitted the collection Beauty Launchpad Magazine editor, Alyson Osterman-Kerr. She loved the collection and wanted it exclusively for the August 2017 issue. The team and I were thrilled to see the spread when it upon it's release.

BTS making of video for Tropical Vibrancy

I am so grateful to this team. Everyone worked os hard. After the photoshoot I spend a final day changing the models hair to wearable colors. This shoot took over 24 hours and was worth every minute.