Neon Spring
Creative Direction | Production | Editorial Design
From the moment managing editor Cori Stoddard announced that Make-Up Artist magazine had secured Sir John for a photo feature, the energy around the project shifted. Sir John is a globally renowned celebrity makeup artist and creative director, best known as a longtime collaborator and makeup artist for Beyoncé, and a trusted creative voice for major global beauty brands. His work spans iconic music videos, red carpets, world tours, fashion editorials, and brand campaigns, and he is celebrated for creating looks that amplify a subject’s natural presence and emotional impact rather than simply decorating the face. For a small, creative publication, the opportunity to build an original editorial story with someone at the very center of modern beauty culture was more than a win, it was a pivotal moment for our team.[popsugar]
Moving immediately into concept development, “Neon Spring” emerged as a visual tension: the softness of seasonal renewal colliding with the electric boldness of saturated color, ultimately titled “Retro Pop”. The mood board became the nucleus of the project, equal parts creative manifesto and operational blueprint. It defined everything from palette and lighting direction to casting and team composition. In a production of this scale, and with a talent of Sir John’s caliber, alignment was everything; the mood board ensured that every collaborator entered the process speaking the same visual language and honoring the level of artistry he is known for.
With the concept in place, I began assembling a team capable of translating that vision into something dimensional. Photographer Deverill Weekes brought a refined eye for light and composition that could carry both vibrancy and restraint. MUA and Hairstylist Alex LaMarsh understood how to sculpt hair as an extension of silhouette and color story. Stylist Rebecca Penton layered in texture and form that elevated the narrative beyond beauty into fashion editorial territory.
Working with Sir John was seamless. There was an immediate creative rapport that was humbling and mutual trust that allowed ideas to move quickly and evolve on set. Sir John approached the concept with both discipline and openness, translating “Neon Spring” into makeup that felt intentional rather than ornamental, supported by Bridget O’Donnell, whose assistance helped maintain the pace and polish required for a production of this caliber. For our team, collaborating directly with someone who regularly crafts looks for Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell, Zendaya, Serena Williams, and other cultural icons was both validating and stretching; it raised the bar on every decision and reinforced our confidence in the sophistication of our editorial vision.[prnewswire]
Production itself was a study in orchestration. Every detail was managed to create an environment where the creative could thrive without friction. Behind the scenes, Ben Bentley captured the process, while Scott Sebring ensured technical fidelity as DIT. Assistants and interns moved fluidly through the day, supporting a workflow that had been carefully engineered but still allowed room for spontaneity. The presence of Sir John on set became an anchoring force and his standard for excellence pushed us all to refine, simplify, and elevate in real time.
The result was a body of work that felt cohesive, elevated, and alive. For our team, the feature marked a turning point: proof that a small, independent publication could ideate, produce, and deliver work in creative dialogue with one of the world’s leading makeup artists. It remains a defining example of what happens when creative direction and project management operate tightly and collaborators come together around a clearly articulated vision that everyone could believe in.
Make-up: Sir John assisted by Bridget O’Donnell
Photographer: Deverill Weekes
Model: Sydney Nelson from Wilhelmina
Hairstylist: Alex LaMarsh
Stylist: Rebecca Penton with pieces by Alicia Perrillo, Victoria Price - Defi Designs and Jasmine Lewis Design
BTS Photographer: Ben Bentley
DIT: Scott Sebring
Assistant: Bob Mistch
Interns: Alie Fleck, Gracie Jean Canfield and Victoria Vesy
