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No Glam Wasted: Mentorship Meets Sustainability in a Forest-Set Photo Collection
Beauty, fashion, and environmental consciousness converge in a cross-discipline collaboration at Bankhead National Forest.
by Staff
May 22, 2025
Hair & Makeup
Mentor: Detra Smith
Mentees: Maria Reed, Allie Brooke Fuller
Photography
Mentor: Robert Rausch
Mentees: Ivy Johnson, Piper Darnell
Assistants: Andrew Metz, Will Rhodes
1/7
2 min to read
A powerful creative project brought together students and mentors from cosmetology, fashion, photography, law, public relations, and forestry programs for an editorial-style photo shoot set in the heart of Bankhead National Forest—a location where sustainability is more than a concept, it’s a way of life.
Cosmetology students from Northwest Shoals Community College were mentored by Detra Smith, a lead educator representing Olivia Garden and Matrix, in a shoot that focused on minimizing environmental impact.
"Our mission was twofold: to mentor the next generation of beauty and fashion professionals, and to emphasize the importance of sustainable practices in every creative discipline. We challenged students to use their skills with minimal environmental impact, relying heavily on repurposed materials. The Cosmetology team, for instance, reused hair extensions, clean makeup, Olivia Garden tools, and Matrix products from my previous shoots. I also educated them on the sustainability commitments of these brands, sparking conversations around conscious beauty."--Detra Smith
Fashion students, mentored by University of North Alabama professors, worked with donated textiles from sustainable designer Natalie Chanin and Red Land Cotton, using natural, foraged dyes. Photography students captured the story using professional equipment under the guidance of a faculty member with editorial credentials.
The project extended beyond the shoot: a PR student arranged a Zoom call with L’Oréal’s Chandra Magnuson, who shared insight into social and digital trends. A law student handled release forms, and a forestry intern ensured environmental respect on-site.
This collaboration is an example of how beauty education, sustainability, and mentorship can intersect—and how the next generation of creatives is rising to the challenge with skill, innovation, and purpose.
PHOTO CREDITS
Photography
Mentor: Robert Rausch
Mentees: Ivy Johnson, Piper Darnell
Assistants: Andrew Metz, Will Rhodes
Fashion
Mentors: Laura McKee, Heather Fleming
Mentees: Lana Smith, Miah King
Models
Allie Brooke Fuller, Jenna Mosley, Ella Neal
Legal
Mentor: Mark Dutton
Mentee: Zack Dutton
Public Relations
Mentee: Lillian Robertson
Safety Coordinator
Roc Carey
Fabric Resources
Natalie Chanin, Alabama Chanin
Red Land Cotton
Consultants
Janice Barrett, Wild Alabama
Chandra Magnuson, L’Oréal – Matrix
Anne Maza, Olivia Garden
Natalie Chanin, Alabama Chanin
Bankhead Ranger District Forestry
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