Fashion Editor: Milton White, The Fashion Office

Photographer: Elijah Rodney

Model: Nyabiel Kuol, Tribe Talent Management

Make-up Artist: Clarence Jernigan

Photographed on location at Fisk University

I really wanted to do this editorial last year. But timing was an issue and there wasn’t great inspiration. Actually there wasn’t any inspiration. At least in the way of editorials. I haven’t seen any other Juneteenth inspired fashion editorials. My ego would love to believe that I am the first to do it! Anyway, back to last year. I had seen all these fabulous images shot by a new photographer I never worked with. I loved his work so I reached out to him with the Juneteenth idea. He was interested so I started to put the other pieces together. One of my favorite make-up artists, Clarence Jernigan was interested. Then, I started looking for the right model, a hair stylist and the perfect location. I wanted to shoot it at the art galleries at Fisk University. Unfortunately, I never heard back from them. Two other projects fell in my lap and took over. Before I knew it, Juneteenth had come and gone.

I was determined to do it this year! Elijah and Clarence were still interested. After working with Nyabiel for a Steeplechase fashion segment for Channel 5’s Talk of the Town, I was convinced she was the perfect model. She cut her hair very short so no need for a hair stylist. I still wanted to shoot it at the art galleries at Fisk University. My friend Lolita Toney put me in touch with Jamaal Sheats. He was very helpful and was able to arrange for us to shoot at the art galleries but there was not one, but two provisos. We couldn’t shoot any of the actual artwork since we didn’t have permission from the artists and/or their estates. We also had to be out of there by noon. NOON! Shooting 8 looks by noon seemed impossible but we were going to try. The campus was so fantastic that we decided we didn’t need the art galleries to evoke the feeling we wanted so we will save that location for another time. I love the images and hope we will revisit this concept again with a fresh approach next year.

Clarence working his magic on the gorgeous Nyabiel.

Nyabiel in marigold (or I think they’re calling it goldenrod) sequin fringe Any Old Iron is ready for her close-up!

Not quite ready for her close-up but thanks to Clarence she’s getting there.

The pearls and beads were double layered just inside the collar of the dress. They did not want to stay where I wanted them too!

One of many adjustments.

The pearls and beads may not have cooperated but the weather did! It was a gorgeous day!