“This project isn’t just about beauty; it’s a therapeutic exploration,” says creative director, photographer and director Erika Astrid about her atmospheric shoot that harnesses the healing power of colour. “It’s a visual journey, using colours to evoke emotions and capture the essence of moods.” Inspired by auras and colour therapy, the vivid images tell the story of a person in constant flux between chaos and calm. 

The surrealist shoot was also inspired by Mark Rothko’s expressionist paintings, produced in the latter half of the 20th century, which held a deep understanding of the way colour could express how we subconsciously feel. After researching Rothko’s work, Astrid composed a mood board filled with similar visuals, as a starting point for the team to each draw inspiration from.

Colour therapy is nothing new; the centuries-old practice dates all the way back to ancient Egypt. Known as chromotherapy, the practice uses colour and light to help encourage healing by stimulating the brain and the body’s natural functions. Early practitioners would use coloured glass to aim and direct the light from the sun onto the person in need. The therapy has since evolved into modernised LED saunas and face masks, with Mitch Yoshida’s make-up recreating the effects for the shoot. 

Yoshida brought this concept to life by playing with bold and dramatic colours, to express a sense of disorder, while also using softer and more harmonious tones, to show balance and tranquillity.

When it came to the nails, artist Suu Yung played with mood through both colour and sharp, uneven textures. “Suu’s skill lies in her ability to breathe life into these concepts, deftly playing with shapes and colours, infusing her unique artistic touch to consistently produce amazing nail art,” says Astrid.

The shoot results in striking images, with Astrid hoping they resonate with viewers on a deeper psychological level. “I hope these photographs evoke a range of emotions in people. I want them to feel the transformative power of colour, the serenity amidst chaos, and the profound connections between inner energies and external expressions.”

Photographer John Michael Fulton, creative director + video Erika Astrid, model Hody Yim @APM, stylist Stella Evans, hair Takao Hayashi, make-up Mitch Yoshida, nails Suu Yung, retoucher Oleg Palchyk