Last summer, I was asked by make up artist Rebecca Rhodes to create a wig that would adorn her model for a make up competition of which she was entering. I willingly agreed to create a black and yellow avant grade wig for her to use during her live competition.

She was thrilled with the piece I had created and I delivered it to her at the Galt House downtown louisville for the live competition, “Battle of the Brushes”. I had mentioned to her possibly do a collabo with lots of color and several models.

The next day I found out she had won second place at “Battle of the Brushes” with her amazing makeup on her model, Katya. I quickly messaged her to congratulate her on her win and again suggested we do a collection and she agreed.

At “Battle of the Brushes” with model, Katya and Make up artist, Rebecca

I had contacted my team at Absolute Studio, Genna Yussman Greene and one his last collections, Tony Welscher to be part of this exciting collaboration.

of course, a shoot takes planning so I needed a few weeks to fabricate the details and map out the plans. I do a lot of bookings but this time I left that job to Rebecca. With she booked Katie Leigh Tarr, Lucy Duane and Rebecca Bien and modeled herself as the fourth model.

For the hair I wanted bold contrast, Primary colors and black. I would again use the black and yellow wig from the competition as one of the pieces. I got to really play and experiment; my materials for this included Kanekalon hair, yarn, rubber covered wiring and wig mesh. I loved layering the textures and used cut wig mesh that I woven hair extensions through. The hair became quite pliable and would be easy to form on the models.

Another wig had me sewing wig mesh into a tubular shape of which I later stuff with red and blue kanekalon hair. Repeating the same technique with the crochet hook for the bulk of the surface.

Genna provided black tops and a really cool futuristic shoulder piece along with matching armor bands that we rotated on each of the models.

I decided for one of the pieces I would take a mesh wig cap and overstuff it with the orange and yellow kanekalon hair and secure the end. Afterwards I took a small crochet hook and pulled hair out at various lengths for the frothy surface texture. I made several that I could build around hair forms on top of a secured scalp braided wig wrap on one of the models.

Rebecca did amazing cohesive face and body make up on each of the models. The entire process took over eight hours at Absolute Studio. Tony photographed each model on a solid black drop and Genna retouched the images for release.

Our collection was beautifully released in a five page spread in Beau NU magazine January 2019 issue.

Credits

Models:

Lucy Duane (Heyman Talent Agency) @lucyduane

Katie Leigh Tarr (Heyman Talent Agency) @kt_tarr

Rebecca Bien

Rebecca Renne Rhodes

Make Up: Rebecca Renee Rhodes @porcelain_kween

Hair : Matthew Tyldesley @hairbymatt

Wardrobe/Retouch: Genna Yussman Greene @gennayussman

Photography: Tony Welscher for Absolute Studio

BTS making of “Shock Menagerie”

I'm always excited to work with new creative teams and opportunities always present themselves. I was asked by one of the models, Rebecca Bien whom I had previously book for a hair color collection. She ask if I was interested and if I would be available to do her hair for a photoshoot

. She had booked Make up artist, Matt Goodlett whom I've worked with on several occasions and photographer, Ronnie Louis. She said the concept was to include "Big" hair and "Glitter" and somewhat disco theme... of course I said yes!!

I had never worked with Ronnie before so I was excited and I arrived at Joe Goodwin's photography studio were our collection would be photographed. I had brought some jewels, glitter, hair pads and hair extensions and a wig in my kit. Matt and I were inspired by the concept and worked together to create two looks.

for the first looks we wanted a long flowing look. I used a front lace wig that I lightly heat styled with a slight bend in the ends. I wanted to focus on the part so I took Redken Hardward Gel 16 and loose green glitter and mixed thoroughly. Using a color brush I applied the glitter in the center of the part and while hold the brush flat spread the color outwards. While Matt did Rebecca's make up The glitter gel had adequate time to dry and I finished the look with Control Addict 28.

Make up looked created by Matt included matching green lip color, defined brows and eyes and soft highlighter. Lastly a diffused dollar sign on the apple of her cheek. Nails were finished with a high gloss coat of black polish.

all that glitter....bts image of Rebecca make up by Matt Goodlett

We turned up the tunes and Rebecca posed for the camera.

For the second look. I brushed Rebecca's hair upwards into a high pony and secured with elastics. I used Redken's Fashion Works 12 working spray and my Tearsheet finishing brush to create a smooth finish. I then used an oversize hair pad by Kris Sorbie I bobbi pins to her scalp. The I tookcustom hair extensions colored with City Beats Coral and Pink and brown and blonde that I crimped with the Sam Villa Texture iron converged them together and strateigically wrapped them over the hair pad.

For make up, Matt artfully placed body jewels and shimmer and highlighter over Rebecca's body. He turned it up a notch with a smoky eye and deep pink lip hue. Lastly a diffused dollar sign on the apple of her cheek.