Detra SmithHot Tools artistic director, had a devastating fire in her Mouton, Alabama, salon, burning the entire space to the ground.

One of the few things salvaged from the wreckage was a picture of an angel.

“She was untouched, perfect,” Smith says. “This photoshoot encouraged me to think of that picture and the opportunity to rebuild.”

Using this session as a way to emerge from the disaster, a collection of hair wefts is what began to toy with her imagination on creating a special occasion look that combined texture, inspired by the angel featured in the photo.

“I think of this collection as ‘Up from the Ashes,’” Smith says. “All of my life I have escaped sad times with imagination. It takes me away from danger and fear.”

Smith started to rebuild the wefts, coloring and adding desired texture. “It took 15 hours to prep the pieces,” she says. “But, like rebuilding my salon, it is all worth it.”

 

CREDITS

Hair: Detra Smith, artistic director Hot Tools

Photography: Roberto Ligresti

Makeup: David Maderich

Fashion Styling: Rod Novoa

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