The Voodoo creative campaign team - Alyssa, Jayla, Aspen, Brandi & Bijan
We sat down with Creative Director for ‘Clitbait’
Aspen Spellman
to uncover her creative process and explore what ‘It Girl’ means to her.
Q. Tell us about ‘Clitbait’
Aspen: To be a true "It Girl" is to be unapologetically yourself and to fall into all the possibilities of whatever form of self-expression you feel like. These 2 aspects of being an "It Girl" are a major key in the journey of self-pleasure.
This campaign was a tribute to the bright and fun early 2000s. To me, the 2000s was a time where people had more freedom to express themselves how they pleased. There was no social media, so we didn’t have the feeling of having to stay in the “safe zone” or pressure to follow the crowd. It was a beautiful era of trial and error, of fun and innovation with fashion and beauty. And a period where being an "It Girl" was a lifestyle.
Q. Awesome name! What inspired you to develop this concept?
Aspen: Thank you! I was inspired by merging the 2 worlds of self-pleasure and self-expression together. When exploring both worlds there is a surrender that takes place. Surrendering who you thought you were to who you really are and stepping into it without apology. Walking unapologetically in your divine femininity is true "It Girl" energy.
Q. Have you Creative Directed a shoot before?
Aspen: I have never taken on the role of a Creative Director before. I've worked on many sets prior to this one as a production coordinator and model in both beauty and fashion, so I'm familiar with the process. Being able to take on the Creative Director role for this shoot let my creativity run wild and get lost in a world that I created. I’ve always helped bring someone else’s vision to life. This shoot was my opportunity to creative my own vision. It’s exhilarating!
Q. What did you want the images to embody or represent?
Aspen: I wanted the images to represent self-assurance and confidence. When speaking about self-pleasure and sexual liberation there is an energy that's magnetic. Feminine energy is graceful, strong, unique, and multifaceted. I wanted to capture that.
Q. The outfits, makeup, accessories are all so perfectly 2000's It-Girl, how did you source them?
Aspen: This was one of my favorite parts of the process. Many of the accessories were sourced from Black owned businesses based in Los Angeles, CA and Fort Lauderdale, FL. It was important for me to shine the light on Black owned business that are known locally and give them a space for their products/services to shine. The essential pink/blue glasses and butterfly thongs were sourced from Kentaji Smith (@kentajiasmith). An online boutique with all things 2000's glam and more! The custom made "Clitbait" shirt was sourced from a talented artist, Merrill Noel, who owns a business in Florida called Airbrush Works.
Hair and makeup was inspired by our very own models. They each have a unique presence that comes naturally without being forced. That is exactly what I wanted to show when capturing each model in their individual shots.
Q. How do you go about selecting models for a campaign?
Aspen: Casting models for a campaign is one of the most important steps when planning a photoshoot. Models communicate the feeling you want your viewers to experience. When choosing the models I wanted to pick girls who looked like they could actually be best gal pals, and each of them have such fun, charismatic personalities in real life. I wanted to communicate unity by having them wear the same outfit - like a 2000’s girl group - while showing the uniqueness of each model.
Q. How did you select the photographer, Brandi Wedderburn?
Aspen: Brandie is an extremely talented film photographer. I've seen her work and have had to pleasure to be in front of her lense as a model before. She has an incredible ability to capture a feeling, through her eye for placement of models, lighting, and framing her shots.
Q. What do you want people to feel when they see your campaign?
Aspen: I want people to feel inspired to be the ‘It Girl’ in their own life. That they ~can~ sit with us. There is room for everyone on every step of your journey to self-love and self-expression.