LaChanda Gatson is a renowned film and editorial hair and makeup artist with a unique flair for creating astounding transformations.

Her individualized style has been displayed throughout the world—presenting her with three International Bangstlye's Supreme Hairstylist awards, including Most Creative Stylist of Orange County Fashion Week. Her talent has granted her the position of lead hair-designer and department head over a multitude of projects.

LaChanda is continually looking for new ways to expand her design vision and present more positive images for black girls. The African American Princess Series, her latest passion project, focused on reimagining classic princess characters as African-American fantasy. "My goal is to continue to be the change I want to see and to inspire black girls globally to see themselves as regal princesses."

LaChanda teamed up with CreativeSoul Photography of Atlanta, Georgia, to reimagine these characters with different cultural attributes to make them more relatable to herself. "These princesses were reimagined from a collection of fictional princesses and global fairytales — ones I grew to love throughout the years."

LaChanda Gatson | Photo by Vanessa Gonzalez Photography

How did you get started doing hair/makeup?

My mom taught me to braid hair at 6, and the rest is history. I picked up makeup when I started working in film and editorial.

What is one moment in your career that you're most proud of?

I would say the African American Princess series is my most impactful project to date. I created a series with some of our favorite childhood princess fairy tales reimagined as Black American Princess of African descent. The African American Princess are no damsels in distress, instead healers with ancestral powers.

I hand-picked a global team of designers to help me pull this together, including the talented photography couple, Creative Soul. I love that this project has inspired people from all around the world. I love the feedback that a child is inspired or excited by them. It makes my heart swell every time.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

Since the pandemic, I've been comfortably working and creating from home with a cup of ginger tea and my blanket. As a freelance artist, my workday varies. Sometimes I work on film and television sets, in a photography studio, green rooms, backstage, trailers, and the great outdoors.

What inspires you to do this work?

I absolutely love creating art in all forms.

What is the favorite part of your job(s)?

The best part of my job is transforming lives and redefining beauty. I love when I can increase vibration and energy in a person by enhancing their best selves and changing how they see themselves.

AFRICAN AMERICAN PRINCESS SERIES

This powerful African American Princess series is a collection of reimagined princesses from all around the world. These Royal urban beauties are crystal gem lights, holding the healing gifts of their ancestors. Their whimsical gemstone kingdoms of concentrated energy are heirlooms gifted by Mother Earth. The crowned gems moves fearlessly in their majestic adventures of healing, courage, and affirmation for all that seek the kingdom within. Their endless tales of light, joy, soulful wisdom, love, intellect, and light creates the perfect recipe for total black girl magic. The superb royal court of assorted chocolates are here to inspire black and brown girls around the world to keep dreaming, imagining, and believing that dreams really do come true.

Princess Anna | CreativeSoul Photography

Creative Direction/Hair: LaChanda Gatson| Photo by CreativeSoul Photography

Have you faced advantages or disadvantages as a Black woman in the beauty industry?

The beauty of being in this industry is that I get to do what I love every day; however, there are still some disadvantages of being black in this industry. After 25 years in the industry, I'm always watched and followed in beauty supply stores. I still shake my head.

In the film industry, there is an enormous lack of diversity in Hollywood. POCs are frequently left out of these spaces. Black actresses and actors then lack the proper grooming attention are

often left in the hands of people that are not adequately trained to do their hair textures and brown skin and are often left to handle their own hair and makeup needs.

Do you have any advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs and hair/makeup artists?

My advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and hair/makeup artists is to stay open to endless possibilities in this career field. You never know who will come across your path and need your personal and business services. Also, always be willing to be a student even when leading the team.

For WOC trying to get in the industry, don't wait for another's approval to fulfill your own destiny. Especially when you are the creator, and that requires being fearless. Always remember when one door closes, a portal of endless opportunities opens.

Vanessa Gonzalez Photography + QNDM + LaChanda Gatson

What are some future goals?

I plan to create more visual aesthetic, artistic content for both media and television. I'm currently working on a cute royal pop-up museum. Stay tuned!