The Ebony Allure is a beauty editorial capturing the beauty of a black muse in Indigenously African hair.
This collection reminds me of J. D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere who is renowned for his work with unique hairstyles in Nigeria. His hairstyle series with over a thousand pictures is the largest collection in Ojeikere’s archive. It could be argued that Asamaiige, the creative who photographed these pictures, mirrors Okhai in the Ebony Allure.
Hair is an important aspect of Nigerian heritage and this collection pays homage to that. Over the years, Indigenous Nigerian hairstyles have been used to denote the social status and power of women.
In these pictures, the colors are soft but vibrant. They remind me of watercolor painting with perfect strokes; Not one stroke outside the lines. These colors highlight the beautiful black skin of the muse- Iheoma Enogie Charles.
Very importantly, Creative Director and Makeup Artist, Lolu Pinheiro has a vision for this shoot which he describes as ethereal. He combines bold colors from his make-up palette with beads and shiny gems to elevate the regal look that the hairstyling, outfits, and lighting give.
The gold and silver jewelry from Chica Lagos have a personality of their own in the up-close shots.
The pictures are a paradox of complex simplicity because they give a welcome to Summer feeling but they’re also very much Fall with the flowers blooming beautifully like in Spring.
Styled by Seun Odebunmi, with pieces from Louie and Dray(LD) -a contemporary clothing brand in Lagos with pieces that exude color, style, and finesse.
Both outfits are from the LD Baddiecon collection. The first being the sleeveless pink mesh bodysuit baddiecon and the second, the stream baddiecon mesh top, a blend of rich cobalt blue and Cream Neon
The silk backdrops give a cohesive picture to the already perfect shot. The hard work and sheer talent of the team are evident.
Credits
Photographed by @asamaiige
Makeup: @loludoesmakeup
Wearing @louie.dray
Styled by : @seunodebunmi
Hairstylist: @nifemilarj
Studio: @everynoun
Accessories: @chicalagos