Fall Boho Beauty

Written, styled + photographed by Kristen Lentz

Modeled by Lexi Miles

I THINK WE CAN all empathize with each other about the lack of feeling a lot of things this year. It's been hard! There have been multiple times of feeling defeated, lackluster, non-creative, etc. Covid sure has messed up a lot of plans, especially for us here at Deitra. I had originally planned to do this photo shoot back in March. Our model was contacted, along with our co-collaborator. Plans were a go. Then, more started happening with this virus, and state shutdowns soon followed. Thankfully, with safety precautions in place, we felt it was good timing to reconvene this fall.

Wasteless Apparel: An Interview With Melanie Reyes

TO MEET MELANIE REYES is to meet two distinctly different women. The first — the version that interacts with the general public and participates in the mundane routines of 21st century living — is pleasant, respectful and sociable in all the ways you might expect from a young professional. There’s nothing wrong with that version, but it pales in comparison to the one you meet the moment the conversation turns to matters of style and fashion.

Deitra Fashion: Everyday Witch

IT'S TIME FOR HALLOWEEN — our favorite time of year — and we wanted to do another spooky photo shoot for Deitra! For the overall look, photographer Matt Loveland was inspired to do something witchy, but more subtle and less like a costume. "I guess another way I’d describe the look would be as Everyday Witch!" says Loveland.

Myths & Monsters: The Fauness

For this photo shoot, Editor Tamara Styer and Beauty Director Kristen Lentz were inspired by “The Fauness,” an illustration and sculpture in Rose O’Neill’s Sweet Monsters collection.

Modeled by Cori Edwards and photographed by Matt Loveland, Styer and Lentz set out to capture the charm and whimsy of the female version of the faun - a mythological half-human, half-goat creature notorious for their lustful nature and their love of the forest and music. Though few female fauns can be found in stories, our Fauness is as beautiful as she is sly and cunning, luring us into her wooded abode with dancing and the eerie enchantment of her pan flute song.

Best Friends Part Deux: Acroyoga

Following suit with our Best Friends photo shoot series, I had a lot of fun with this one as well! Jessica Manuel, Leah Haines and Chelsea Campbell were my models for this shoot because they truly have such a special bond of friendship. Their sisterly-like love for each other flows into everyone they meet and they always want to make sure everyone’s included. I love that about them! 

Deitra Fashion: Best Friends at Tommyhawks

Have you ever just met someone, and after spending about five to ten minutes with them, you just know you're going to be instant friends?! That's how we all felt when chatting with Kacey Jennings, the co-owner and manager of TommyHawks Axe House in Springfield, MO. This was such a perfect vibe to get as this whole photo shoot revolved around the theme of Best Friends. I wanted a summer fashion photo shoot with guys. The big difference is that nine times out of ten when you see a guys’ photoshoot, they're posed all too cool for school in some suburban area. Don't get me wrong, I genuinely have an appreciation and love for those! But for this, I just wanted something with a totally different feel to it. (Usually, I'm working with ladies doing hair and/or makeup, so I love that this was pushing me out of my element a bit.) I wanted that nice, summer casual feel along with some activity where a couple of friends would go to hang out and have a good time. Axe throwing was the first thing that popped into my head, and I'm so glad we were given the opportunity with TommyHawks. 

Deitra Beauty: All Glitzed Up

Written & Styled by Beauty Director, Kristen Lentz  
Photographed by Matt Loveland

One day back in October while shopping through the mall, I found THE most adorable holiday hair band; because you know that’s when Christmas starts in retail. Instantly, ideas started rushing through my mind of hair and makeup for a holiday beauty shoot. So, we found our model — the lovely Emma Elliott — and got everything all squared away!

The Menswear Issue: Style & Substance

BOLD PATTERNS AND INTRIGUING TEXTURES CREATE AN AURA OF PLAYFULNESS, WHILE STILL ALLOWING MEN TO DRESS LIKE GODDAMN ADULTS. 

PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHARLES GOODIN.

Art Inspired Academy: Girls Just Want To Have Fun

Written by Kristen Lentz | Photographed by Matt Loveland

Back in March and April, I had an amazing opportunity to be involved in our community in such a fun and inspiring — if you will — way. The Art Inspired Academy held five weeks of classes for teenage and young adult ladies called “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.” Over the span of these five weeks, girls learned how to create vision boards of fashion they love, hair and makeup tricks, wardrobing, runway walking and so much more. At the end of the classes, we held a fashion show during April’s First Friday Art Walk in Springfield, Missouri where the ladies would strut their stuff in the outfits they chose! With differing activities each week, I loved how these girls felt more and more comfortable in their own skin, as well as with each other.

All That Glitters: 99x Party

Glitz and glamour will set the Springfield Art Museum aglow at this year’s 99x event.

Deitra Fashion: Femme Carnivale

Written & Styled by LaComa Jefferson Bass | photographed by Matt Loveland
Beauty by Kristen Lentz | Modeled by Shelby Schulte

THE INSPIRATION FOR THIS photoshoot came with the arrival of the County Fair. The idea of a beautiful and chic girl accidently finding herself in a small town fair was something I have always wanted to play with. Light, ethereal and clean were my guide words, femininity my theme. A very finely dressed woman, soft and pristine, contrasted against the simply dressed people at a busy and dirty fairground.

LUSH at Bartique: Original Fears Launch

written and photographed by Leslie Tucker

IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN to LUSH at Bartique yet, now is the time to check it out!  LUSH at Bartique just celebrated their one year anniversary in downtown Springfield, Missouri with the launch of a new locally owned clothing line, Original Fears. Designer Caleb Schwien describes his brand as unisex streetwear, bodied in the Midwest with a heart beating in the coast.

Woman of Many Hats: Brande Wilkerson

Written by Reyna Lay | Photos Courtesy of Victory Vintage Boutique

I HAD THE PLEASURE of meeting Mrs. Brande Wilkerson – owner of Victory Vintage Boutique and Design Studio, and self-taught designer extraordinaire – a few years ago after seeing her love for vintage clothing on her YouTube channel. She is not only a mother, a wife, and an entrepreneur who has built a successful business from inside the walls of her own home but, she is also an incredible designer in her own right. Her official title is Owner/Chief Designer and Artistic Developer for Innovative Fashion and Millinery Concepts. Although she’s a very busy lady who wears a lot of hats (pun completely intended), she took a moment to tell Deitra Mag a little more about herself and the future of her business.