Some Like it Hot

...And some like it Gaultier. George and I did this avante garde session for the uber-taleneted hair designer and educator Nikki Rath of Toni & Guy. She looked to the recent collections of Jean Paul Gaultier for inspiration to create these wigs. I was under the scissors myself when Nikki asked if I knew anyone who could lend a fashion edge to the photography of her work. I stammered, "Well, I used to know this guy, but he moved to New York..." Fashion just felt so out of my element of naturalism, I couldn't imagine volunteering for Nikki's project. As we talked further about the details, it began to seem feasible. After all, Nikki would be present to approve or veto the images, George could oversee the lighting design, and I could contribute a fine-tuned recognition of the most remarkable and expressive poses. The day of the shoot was incredibly fun collaborative effort, and in the end I felt as connected to the fantasy of these images as I do to my work that is grounded in natural beauty. The icing on the cake- Nikki sent me a text message recently saying that the images are finalists in the Toni & Guy Photographic Awards presented in Las Vegas next month!

Here's a natural moment, in preparation for the shoot:


A silhouette of Charlotte applying make-up to Sarah:

Jennifer, made up but pre-wig:

Sarah, looking her moody part:


Kristen steals a glance:


And our favorite images under the lights:





These last two are my very favorite, classical but also a bit more vulnerable :