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As the sun rises, a new year dawns. So begins 2018. From the ashes of 2017, a year filled with both trepidation, fear, and loss, but also joy, excitement, and hope. We find ourselves, this January 1st 2018, to be a day of old ends and new beginnings.
Appropriate that this day marks the 200th anniversary of a literary life given form. Very few books have quite captured audiences as has Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, an immortal story with a mind of it’s own that gets revamped with each new generation of readers. Frankenstein has been used for two centuries to make commentary on modern concerns; from ethics questions raised from new science practices to social responsibility, family, alienation, hubris, and dealing with chaotic change. I find much is the same for the decades of life. From the teens when one is growing, learning, and being moulded. To the twenties when one begins to stretch out, feeling for their place in the world, questioning what is known in search of truth. To the thirties (where I’ll find myself in a few months), when one establishes their identity, and puts their mark upon the world.
So after another year seemingly designed to tear me apart, I choose to greet this one with hope and hunger. Rather than resign myself to the chains of years past, I choose to do better with the God-given gifts I’ve been given – to create, to make beautiful, to inspire, and spread joy. The gift of creation is a truly amazing thing (spoken more in line with the innocent awe of the Monster, in a body broken, scarred with a heart and mind torn apart by the harsh realities of this world, but filled with wide-eyed wonder rather than Frankenstein’s feverishly insane drive to be like God). Every day that goes by is another blessing, another day to live, another moment to cherish.
I decided to take this new year’s inspiration from this cultural phenomenon, as each year I end up creating, cutting, revamping, and resurrecting old concepts into new. A crossing of multiple industries and projects into one, hodge-podged together to create something, hopefully, marvelous. Best intentions have a way of being bushwhacked by life’s plethora of monkey wrenches. Many plans get made. Most go under. Not all of my discoveries and experiences have been positive, so alas, my plans for The Lady Nerd fell by the wayside due to the ever-present realities of bills, health issues, and things beyond my control. But no more. This shall be the year of adventure! Glorious, glamorous adventure! I’ve got old habits to kick and new frontiers to explore. And by God’s grace and sheer determination, I hope to accomplish it.
So to marry those desires with the 200th anniversary of a iconic novel (because I’m a nerd. True story, says so right on the front page), I created this photoshoot to highlight what The Lady Nerd is all about – geek made chic. From burying my nose in nerdy research of Frankenstein in literary and cinema form to styling this old Hollywood glamour shoot with a lavish Pinup Girl Clothing gown and finally collaborating with local (truly incredible) talent to bring my vision to life. I present to you The Lady Nerd’s 2018 Bride of Frankenstein.
I gladly invite all of you to join me for this year of style, creativity, and shenanigans. Happy New Year!
Photograph: Michael Rivera
Hair: Angie Sue Arnold
Makeup: Dustin Sean Lazenby
Dress: Pinup Girl Clothing
Location: Andrew Artimage studio
Amazing shoot and interesting take on how to learn from the monster and become a better form of yourself. Way to go! Can’t wait to see what you do.
Thank you so much for always leaving such kind comments. You’re such an encouragement to me. <3 (and you got exactly what I was going for in this post! Huzzah!)