From left to right| Makeup Artist:Meagan Shea, Me and Gwen DeVoe,
CITY PROPS
By: Selina Weekes
During the midst of our preparation and event planning for Full Figured Fashion Week™ -a few months ago, FFFWeek™ Producer and founder of DeVoe Signature Events, Gwendolyn DeVoe e-mailed me, asking if I could style a photo shoot for her NEW website. Of course I was obliged! I told her I’d only do it under one condition-she grants Manik a feature interview ( I don’t ask for much 
). To my expectation she agreed. Immediately, after reading Gwen’s e-mail the ONLY designer that came to mind was Jasmine Elder of Jibri. I mean it was like playing connect the dots…in my mind it didn’t make any sense to feature any other designer. Not because, Gwen wouldn’t look good rocking anyone else’s frocks. But because Jasmine’s Spring/Summer 2010 collection complemented both Gwen’s stronger and softer sides and I wanted to capture both.
Fast Forward…
The shoot took place in the Dumbo section of Brooklyn. A very artsy fartsy area rich in culture and talent – usually roamed by fashion addicts, the hottest contemporary artist, and home to beautiful art galleries,lofts, talented musicians, and photographers galore.Of course I had to coordinate the shoot on one of summer’s hottest days. I mean the temperature outside was truly on HELL!!!
Makeup Artist: Meagan Shea blotting Gwen's glamorous sweat.
The moment I arrived on location there was an issue with me getting into the building where make up and look changes were to take place – my key fob (keyless entry remote) wouldn’t work. What was I to do? There was no turning back, makeup was to take place at noon, and the time was 11:18A.M. There wasn’t a doorbell or anyone for me to call…so I ended up searching for a location for makeup and look changes. After scoping out the scene…I decided to inquire with Phoenix House a non-profit organization known for Beyonce’s philanthropic efforts of opening a cosmetology center providing a seven-month cosmetology training program to Phoenix House residents preparing to be contributing members of society. I must admit-walking into Phoenix House was a bit weird…I mean it looks really nice…but its similar to that of a half way house, and so you have a lot of rehabilitated personalities walking around. Once I got pass the “I want to eat you for breakfast, lunch, and dinner looks” I was cool. A big thank you goes out to Phoenix House for allowing us to use their facility.
Me + Photographer:Leon Baisden
We shot two looks at three locations with Makeup Artist- Meagan Shea, Photographer-Leon Baisden, Photog Assistant, NJay Braxton and my Intern, Josh Slater. We used the Brooklyn Bridge and the NYC skyline as our props because 1. Gwen runs New York City, producing events that empower,engage and entertain and 2. NYC stands behind Gwen in her efforts to promote size acceptance and equal runway opportunity. The shoot went very well. Check the behind the scenes footage!
BEHIND THE SCENES FOOTAGE!!!
Gwen loved the first look(featured image), a magenta pink one shouldered fitted power dress with asymmetrical petal and a geometric shoulder cutout. This frock screamed-SEXY MOGUL COMING THROUGH. The second,a purple peplum dress, which she wasn’t as manic over…not because it was unpro-fashionable ( Yes! I made that word up.), but because it was very soft and feminine & playful, and Gwen has a controlled image, that almost always communicates tenacity, assertiveness, and DIVA.
From left to right|Makeup Artist: Meagan Shea, Gwen DeVoe, Intern:Josh Slater, and Me
Well…I switched the game up…I made her fun and flirty and I loved iT!
A heart of thanks goes out to Phoenix House, Meagan Shea, Leon Baisden, NJay Braxton, and Josh Slater for an excellent shoot on a day what felt like hell on earth!
Stay tuned for our feature interview with Gwen DeVoe on FFFWeek™ Los Angeles and more – NEXT WEEK, on the Manik Mag site!
