these black girls turn into princesses

Photographer CreativeSoul Photography and hairstylist LaChanda Gatson have teamed up for a shoot with black princesses. And the result is worth the detour!


by Suruthi SRIKUMAR

More than ever, the representation of all diversity is essential for children's self-confidence. Seeing people who look like us in movies, toys or cartoons values ​​us and makes us feel normal. Unfortunately, there is still a terrible lack of representation of black or even Asian beauties.

Kahran Bethencourt and her husband Regis created CreativeSoul with the aim of having a “Redefining and reinventing the traditional princess with their own style and culture”. An inspiring photoshooting in collaboration with makeup artist LaChanda Gatson for “Inspire more girls around the world to start seeing themselves as royal princesses.”

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"I created the change I wanted to see"

For the makeup artist, the lack of representation of black and racialized children in society and in culture plays a significant role in children's esteem. For example, Disney only has one black princess, Tiana, "Where she spends most of the time in the role of a frog". “Even though I loved watching and reading fairy tales and fantasy, I often reinvented these characters closer to me and my culture”, says the makeup artist.

To give a more inclusive and realistic portrayal, she decided to draw inspiration from characters in works known as Hans Christian Anderson, John Smith, Brothers Grimm or Marvel. “I reinvented them as black urban royalty. I picked a team of talented black creatives and created the change I wanted to see ", she confides.

We applaud his initiative and we hope it will inspire more than one!