The 1970s were, in the most nascent way possible, my "formative" years. Being born in 1975, by the time I was aware of my own existence in, say, 1980-81, the styles, colors, fashion, pop culture and fads of mid to late 1970s America were all I knew.
And those themes stuck in my head, and somehow or another I am and have always been influenced by the era as I started to discover my own passions in music, visual art, fashion, beauty, sensuality, and style.
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In downtown Houston, I embarked on something that had been five years in the making—stuck in my brain since 2019 – a vision to pay homage to the vibrant and dynamic era of 1970s fashion, couture and sexiness. I found myself blessed by a team of multiple dedicated individuals, each sharing my passion and commitment to bringing this dream to life.
And what a team it was! I knew I couldn't just wing this, not even close, so I called on my friends, several incredible pro artists in makeup (Cori), hair (Zelty), wardrobe (Angelique), and more – all to come together to help me make this crazy idea work. (Links to all team members work is below).
On April 7, 2024, the homie and bad ass model Hannah Nicole stepped into the spotlight, embodying the spirit of the '70s with grace and elegance. Against the backdrop of downtown Houston, she breathed life into our vision, infusing each frame with a sense of nostalgia and authenticity.
But beyond the glamour and aesthetics, this project was a testament to the power of collaboration and the pursuit of artistic cooperation. It was a journey filled with challenges and triumphs, but through it all, we remained united in our passion and determination to see this vision through.
As I reflect on the countless hours spent planning and executing this project, I am filled with a joyful sense of pride and gratitude. To each member of our team, I extend my deepest thanks for your wild dedication and creativity. Together, we have created something that means a lot to me —a visual tribute to an era that continues to inspire and captivate me since I was born into it in 1975.
May this project serve as a reminder that dreams are worth chasing, and that with passion, perseverance, and a dedicated team by our side, anything is possible. Here's to the power of art to transcend time and space, and to the endless possibilities that await those who dare to dream.
Exclusive, limited edition hand-signed art prints from this project will be available for a short time. View those collections here.
Do follow all the team members on Instagram:
Photographer: Nino Batista https://www.instagram.com/ninobatista
Model: Hannah Nicole https://www.instagram.com/hannah_nicole_8
Makeup: Cori Aston https://www.instagram.com/coriaston39
Hairstylist: Zelty Mendoza https://www.instagram.com/zeltydoeshair
Wardrobe Styling: Angelique Gioldasis https://www.instagram.com/angeliqueso_
Wardrobe Assistant: Erin Hector
Lighting Assistant: Clay Parker https://www.instagram.com/no_context_parker
Lighting Assistant: Chris Juengel https://www.instagram.com/juengelphotos
Assistants: Briana Noir, Kate Stinson, Andrea Villasmil
https://www.instagram.com/briana.noir
https://www.instagram.com/_katestinson_
https://www.instagram.com/andreavillasmilr
Videography: Ryan Pramik https://www.instagram.com/pramikphoto
Studio: The Park, Houston TX https://www.instagram.com/theparkhtx
Project Date: April 7, 2024, Produced by Nino Batista with Capture One, Photoshop, NBP Retouch Tools