All Queer Team Unites for Fashion Editorial with Photographer Haley Varacallo

Editorial
Written By Sonny Oram

I have the pleasure to share queer magic in the making with photographer and art director Haley Varacallo from her studio in Brooklyn. Varacallo, in collaboration with make-up artist Samson Smith, and models Tangina Stone, Emani, and Ramona Mirah, brought to life the ineffable ‘je ne sais quoi’ that unfolds naturally with pure queer expressive freedom in the studio. Known for her ethereal lighting, bright color schemes, and graphic integrations, Haley captures the light within each artist her shutter touches.

Makeup artist and self-proclaimed skincare obsessor Samson Smith told Qwear, “My favorite piece of this shoot was the freedom I felt to create something that spoke to the vibrance and beauty of the models.” Models were dressed in part by Portmanteau New York, a vintage and design studio based in Long Island City. Created by partners Zachary Allen and Trévon Warren, Portmanteau New York explores the forgotten and breathes new life into sustainable furniture, objects, apparel, and accessories.

Tangina Stone

Tangina Stone is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, and producer who is trailblazing in the industry for queer women of color. She is celebrating the release of her new single, “Petty.” She told Qwear of this photoshoot, “Working with an entire team of queer creatives was an extremely empowering experience. It is rare that I find myself involved in creative projects where I feel safe, seen, and held.”

Emani

Emani is a Multihyphenate Creative and co-owns self-love brand clothing brand Chillma along with Tagina Stone, who is also her life partner.

Ramona Mirah

Ramona Mirah is a tattoo freelance model and illustrator.

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Sonny Oram

Sonny Oram founded Qwear in 2011: the world’s first online queer fashion incubator. Their work has been featured in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Huffpost, and Buzzeed, among others. Sonny has been published in books including Beyonce in Formation and The Dangers of Fashion: Towards Ethical and Sustainable Solutions. In 2019, Sonny founded Qwear Media to help diversify advertising.

Outside of Qwear, Sonny works at MIT as a Communications Officer, where they use their expertise in creating online movements to curate MIT’s online presence.

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