Q and A with Soleia Coleman — Nasty Nostalgia

This week Nasty Nostalgia spoke with self-portrait artist Soleia Coleman who discussed her inspirations, creative process, and dream collaborations.

I absolutely love your work! What led you to start creating self-portrait photography?

Firstly, thank you so much! I've had dreams of doing editorial modeling since I was a little girl. I've always wanted to see people who looked like me on magazine covers. The modeling and fashion industry can be incredibly toxic, especially in terms of body image. I've been turned away by agencies before because my body wasn't up to their standards. I figured if I would never be in a real magazine, that I should just shoot editorial looks myself and be on my own damn cover!

I notice a lot of references to makeup trends of the 60s and 70s in your photos, what about that era particularly interests you?

When I think of the '60s, I think of true glamour. I'm so drawn to the teased hair, the dramatic makeup. A time where people spent hours decorating themselves, even for more "casual" events. When I think of complete fashion freedom and expression through clothing and accessories, I think of the '70s. It was also such a progressive era for fashion, for people, for so many things.

That being said, Who are some of your favorite beauty and style inspirations from the past?

It's a little bit biased, but my mama is my biggest style inspiration. She always has been and still is today. She always looks so put together and hardly even has to try. Donyale Luna, Verushka, Diana Ross, Audrey Hepburn, and Lisa Bonnet are a few of my other long-standing favorites!

Lately, vintage makeup, fashion trends, music, and films have become very popular with the younger generation on social media. Why do you suppose that is?

Good taste! Haha. A lot of young people, like me, feel a connection to vintage things because it reminds them of someone or something they love. There's an intense feeling of nostalgia that comes with anything vintage, and it can almost transport you back to a time where so many things were simpler, even though most of us weren't around for them yet.

What is the creative process like when you’re shooting a new piece? Does a lot of research go into your work?

I spend quite a lot of time looking at retro ads and editorials, so sometimes I'll directly recreate one (Like my Jean Shrimpton inspired Newsweek cover) or I'll just draw inspiration from the types of makeup/clothing people wore in them. It's honestly as easy as viewing it and saying "Wow, I love that, I want to shoot something like that" and then trying to put my own little spin on it.

Do you have any dream collaborations (photographers, makeup artists, etc) that you would love to work with in the future?

There are so many! There's a photographer named A.J Hamilton (@thetogfather) who does these dreamy, Renaissance-Esque portraits that I am obsessed with. I'm nervous to let someone else photograph me, but I would, given the opportunity. There are so many artists/brands that I look up to and am so fortunate to already have collaborations in the works with.

If you could raid the closet of anyone in the world, who would you choose?

Cher! Need I say more?

Lastly, what’s one trend from the past that you would love to see come back into fashion?

Some trends I like have actually already come back into style. But my absolute favorites never left! Knee-high stockings, overall pants, and skirts, matching two-pieces. Crushed velvet. I think the world could always use more full-body sparkly outfits, though! ;)

Soleia's instagram