I am blessed to get to work with some really cool people and brands and a lot of people ask me about life onset, who I work with and where I pull my inspiration. So, I decided to blog about it, and share some knowledge along the way. Welcome to the first entry, How To Make An Epic Boss Babe Collab, in my new blog category, BLOG LIFE 🙌🏾.
In order to make an epic collab of any kind, there are steps to take. BUT to make an EPIC BOSS BABE COLLAB, the first is the most important!
STEP 1: Choose Carefully!
Boss Babe Collab: Laura Seaboy (model) & Regina Wamba (photographer)
Your work is only as good as the team, so make sure to connect with winners! In a Boss Babe Collab, find women who are striving to create work within the scope of what you are looking for. Remember birds of a feather flock together and eagles do not eat anything dead. Collab with Boss Babes who inspire fresh ideas, take you outside of your comfort zone, and have different industry accolades than you.
Last year I worked with model/makeup artist/photoshoot producer Laura (Duvall) Seaboy, and award-winning photographer Regina Wamba. As a model and photoshoot producer, Laura’s work has been published internationally and Regina’s work has graced the cover of multiple New York Times & USA Today bestsellers lists books. Our collab was published as a Fashion Webtorial on Model ::: Diary in January of this year (click the link to see full webtorial).
Steem Webtorial Behind the Scenes
Needless to say, I was excited to work with these two Boss Babes, especially because Laura had become my summertime muse! Regina as a photographer was an out of the box choice as she is known for moody, fantasy-like book covers and not fashion. I embraced the opportunity to create something different.
STEP 2: Choose Your Role And Execute With Excellence!
When working with a Boss, you always want to put your best foot forward and follow up with your best hand. Be transparent while bringing your A-Game. What do I mean by this? With some collabs you may do your normal tasks, but when working with people who are on your level or above, take risks! When you have EPIC support, do EPIC things. Just make sure to be transparent so that the team knows when and how to support you.
For this photoshoot, I did all styling (hair, makeup and wardrobe) as well as art direction. I was yearning to do an edgy fashion editorial where I brought all my talents to the table and this collab did it for me. For the last 7 years, I’ve been developing other artists and lending my kit, expertise and talents to shoots and not always taking credit for the outcomes or seeing my ideas fully executed. I wanted to be able to execute my vision from start to finish. So for this Boss Babe Collab, I did my normal tasks and then took a risk.
Steem Webtorial Behind the Scenes
My Normal Tasks:
The wardrobe and accessories I pulled were from ALL ALTERED and Kent Stetson Handbags along with a few piece from my personal kit. The top and bottom bracelet Laura is wearing below are vintage pieces that pop up on my arm from time to time 😊. In order for me to really get the look I was going for, the team had to support. Laura came to a fitting a few weeks before the shoot and a second fitting before her call time for the shoot. Her flexibility allowed us to send exact wardrobe sample photos to Regina who then chose the final outfits.
For hair and makeup I wanted a very distinct look — clean, but edgy. I chose to curl Laura’s hair tightly around a 1/2″ barrel curling iron and let the curls fall as they may to keep a sexy feel. I added a deep side part to give the style a bit of edge to start Look 1.
Steem Webtorial Behind the Scenes
I later added more texture to the curls for an updo for look 2 (above) and a high curly pony for look 3 (below). My inspiration for look 1 and 2 was the movie Grease. Look 3 was inspired by Pebbles of the Flintstones. She was a bad chick! lol 😉
Steem Webtorial Behind the Scenes.
The Risk:
For look 3 (above & below), I created a remixed version of my favorite dress from my very own closet. I designed and altered the sample version by adding denim fringe, edgy darting and 100’s of silver pins as a design element to the front and back. Sometimes when collaborating, you may come up with things that can not be explained in full detail. This is something that I deal with frequently as I draw a lot of my inspirations from dreams/visions, and I am not the greatest sketch artist. The support from the team, allowed me create this look without boundaries or trust issues.
This dress will be available for sale later this fall on allaltered.com. It is one of a kind so once it is sold, there will be no more 🙅🏾. I will however send an email to my subscribers when it goes on sale 😀 to keep you informed. Not a subscriber? Sign up below.
Steem Webtorial Behind the Scenes.
STEP 3: Highlight The Positives Of Each Team Member, And Add Those Qualities To Your List.
When birds of a feather flock together, the law of attraction works to add qualities of others to your character. Write a list of the positive characteristics of each team member and do not dwell on any negative interactions. Only positive vibes here!
Fashion Editor, Hair, Makeup and wardrobe styling: Kimberly Steward
The creativity involved in this Boss Babe Collab by all parties was immensely inspiring! Regina’s edgy photography and wonderful eye for detail gave this shoot an awesome outcome. She opened every part of her studio (inside and out) to lend to the creativity of the shoot. This may sound like a normal thing. But believe me when I say, I have worked with photographers who do not utilize the full arsenal of their space, skills and or equipment when collaborating. Regina was open to all possibilities.
Laura’s superb production skills took away all stress and her chameleon-like ability to change gave me an amazing canvas to do anything I deemed necessary for the shoot. I love a good collab, especially when it is with other female entrepreneurs.
I am only where I am in life because I was allowed to climb on the backs of others.
–Kimberly Steward
Do you follow me on social media? If not, it is time to start!
Sign up below for my email newsletter and stay in-the-know about what I have going on, discounts on my favorite brands, and more!