I have a special place in my heart for Vicki Valencourt, she remains the inspiration for the current phase in my work where I push against everything I consider safe and simply shoot women in their raw glory. her natural energy is something of the dreams, fairly soft spoken and rarely caught in an awkward moment. She reminds me of the female version of Mr. Dos Equis… too cool for words. Her ovular facial structure and dreamy eyes remind me of an ear long since past, reminiscent of the Miles Davis and Perry Como tunes that sauntered throughout the airways of my childhood.

On a chilly spring day, I caught a flight to Chicago with the idea fresh in my mind. For this Session we teamed up with Tinaya Weems, who is one of the most dynamic makeup + hair combinations that I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Her speed and complexity make her a serious talent to be looked out for in the days to come. She was even kind enough to take us through a behind the scenes blog on how to get the GLAM look for this spring (which you can view HERE)

Enjoy the moments we’re sharing with you. moments with THE GLAMOROUS REBEL

Photography: Andrew Thomas Clifton

Makeup Artist: Tinaya Weems

Model: Vicki Valencourt

Accessories: LLF Jewelry

Beyonce lets on the new name of her album “4″ in the latest issue of Billboard magazine.

The new album is called “4.” Aside from this being your fourth solo album, what significance does that number hold?
We all have special numbers in our lives, and 4 is that for me. It’s the day I was born. My mother’s birthday, and a lot of my friends’ birthdays, are on the fourth; April 4 is my wedding date.

How did the creative process begin with the new body of work?
I recorded more than 60 songs: everything I ever wanted to try, I just did it. I started off being inspired by [Afrobeat music pioneer] Fela Kuti. I actually worked with the band from “Fela!” [the hit Broadway musical based on his life] for a couple of days, just to get the feel for the soul and heart of his music; it’s so sexy, and has a great groove you get lost in. I loved his drums, all the horns, how everything was on the one. What I learned most from Fela was artistic freedom: he just felt the spirit. I also found a lot of inspiration in ’90s R&B, Earth, Wind & Fire, DeBarge, Lionel Richie, Teena Marie… I listened to a lot of Jackson 5 and New Edition, but also Adele, Florence + the Machine, and Prince. Add in my hip-hop influences, and you can hear how broad it is. I also gave myself more freedom to really belt out some songs, and bring soul singing back: I used a lot of the brassiness and grittiness in my voice that people hear in my live performances, but not necessarily on my records.

I’m really excited about this new editorial that we’ve been stewing on for a while called “The Glamorous Rebel”. I caught a flight to Chicago where I met up with Makeup artist Tinaya Weems and model Vicki Valencourt to plan, execute and shoot it. Somewhere along the way we got to talking about Spring Glam and fashion and whats going to be hot this year… so they’re going to help show you a few tips to help you get your own SPRING GLAM look that will not only make you the life of the deck parties and boat soirees but also the life of any spring situation (flings included).

It always helps to start with a pretty face (and a clean one helps as well)

Buffing in the neutral eyeshadow base to create a canvas for the eyeshadow to adhere to for color intensity and to reduce creasing.

Using a straight edge to create a symmetrical straight edge.

Buffing a bright fushia pigment from the upper bride of the nose with moderate pressure and slightly softer as I approach the tail of the brow.

Coating the lash with mascara to protect the natural lash from the adhesive from the false lash application that will follow. And then…

VOILA! SPRING GLAM

Check out KISS DIGITAL section next week for “the glamorous rebel” the FULL Editorial featuring Vicki under Tinaya’s Brush and my Camera… but for now, a 2:00 preview should get your palette wet enough to hold you over:)

Photography: Andrew Thomas Clifton

Makeup Artist: Tinaya Weems

Model: Vicki Valencourt

Accessories: LLF Jewelry

Over the past 8 years many models have come and gone in the world of urban modeling, however a very elite few have managed to craft a lasting presence, let alone reach an iconic status. Although officially retired from the modeling industry, on a beautiful fall day in Atlanta… Summer returned. She comes and goes in our lives each year just like the seasons. wondered what causes Summer to leave and come back into our lives? We at KISS believe that sometimes it’s sheer boredom, or perhaps it’s the longing and desire to show off all that wonderful… because (and as you will see below) she will ALWAYS have a wonderful ability to captivate us beyond words. Her gaze captures us, her beauty confounds us, and her curves, well… they do other things entirely.

In any regards, whenever she has been asked to prove if she still has it, she never falls short… so it begs to question, is this the sign of a greater return? We wanted to know, and so we asked ”Do you still want to model?” Her response was simple, “Modeling helped me grow into something externally amazing, and with that experience I have began to transform my inner beauty. I miss and will always love the modeling industry, but my new direction, with business and family now has me in a deeper purer love.”

Ladies & Gentlemen, we would like to REintroduce you to the legend herself… Summer Walker in a Summer like no other

Photographer: Treagen Kier

Model: Summer Walker

Make Up: SweetGloss

Hair: Charles Harrison

Stylist and Clothing provided by : Betrice Benbow

Location and Hair Provided by : Exquisite Locks Salon