Doing a lot with a little.

Model: Emilie @dulcedomodels, Styling: Sarah Toshiko West, Hair: Hailey Hodapp. Makeup: Maria Halovych, Art Direction: Rayna Hernandez, Wardrobe: Denim Jumpsuit -Israel Valencia, Scarf- Hermes, Knit Skirt -Emory Park, Earring, Motif

Travel, learn, fail, try again, and repeat.

One thing in life is for certain, shit happens.

I joined the Mastered Community in 2017. Their ten-month training program is for all disciplines in the fashion industry. Being a natural skeptic, looking through the curriculum I wondered if this was as impactful as they made it seem. I must inform you that they mean every word. Now am I a world-famous hairdresser because of the program…well not yet. Don’t sleep on me.

During this program, we had the opportunity to speak with life coaches, magazine editors, designers, and leading hair experts all from different corners of the world. Additionally, we had the opportunity to join these heavy hitters on a “Mastered Live”, an event you travel to. Where you have the opportunity to meet the experts, take classes from them, and complete a shoot with each discipline, whom you do not meet until you arrive.

Ok now that we know the facts, here’s the good bad and the ugly.

This event was in Montreal, Canada. In an attempt to give me a day in advance to arrive. I left about 35 hours before we had to check-in for the event.

My first flight was very early, 5 am. I arrived on time, tired, and prepared. This flight was delayed due to a failed generator. My second flight was delayed due to an improper air conditioner. I was not put on a 3rd flight until 11 pm. I arrived in Montreal at 2 am the following day, yep the following day. My bags, including my hair kit that they insisted I check, was not there. My HAIR KIT, the reason I came was to do hair. At this point, I am delusional and spent all my air bucks on champagne.

I arrive at my Airbnb. No clothes, no makeup, not even face wash, and no hair kit. This event was hosted in a beautiful national park in Montreal, of which was about an hour's drive. We had to arrive at the bus at 8 am to be able to make it on time. The stores close in Montreal at about 9 pm and open at 10 am. I had no time to get clothes or hair stuff for this event. I was lucky to be rooming with someone else, she let me borrow some clothes. Whether they fit or not was not even my concern at this point. I was thankful that I had another option. She was also a hairstylist.

Hair kit. Hair kit. What am I going to for the hair! Ahh!

I arrive on time, redefining what it means to “walk in someone else’s shoes”. Ready…we’ll kind of… for anything. After 4-5 classes about, ‘How to create the perfect story’ with Mynxii White or ‘Fashion, and mental health’ with Caryn Franklin. Most ironically ‘Doing a lot with a little’ with Ryan Greenwood from P1M Agency. This class discussed how to push through on set. No matter the situation, you have to get the shot. Roll with it, and handle your business. Well, I'm paraphrasing but you get what I mean.

After not too long it was my team's turn to shoot. I have to borrow a comb, a few hair-ties, and a can of hairspray…yes from the same girl who’s pants I had on. I pulled my self together, and we collectively created this amazing shot/shots.

I met the most amazing, impactful, experts, and humans. Most of which I now call my friends.

This shot was later put in Vogue Italia. We did a lot with a little.