Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Erica Moomey . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Erica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
2022 MIDWEST HAIRSTYLING AWARDS RUNWAY SEGMENT || END THE WAR ON WOMEN
The creative side of the beauty industry is what I am the most drawn to, I strongly believe art is the truest form of self-expression. This year I was asked to lead my first ever runway segment at the Midwest Hairstyling Awards (@midwesthairstylingawards), something I have been dreaming of for about 10 years now. You see, my life goal is to rethink and ultimately change what we think and know of as normal beauty standards.
This goal is what lead me to start entering my work into hair competitions in the first place. Typically, winning competitions is the fastest way to grow and gain attention within the beauty industry. While each and every collection I have created is deeply meaningful to me when I was asked to lead my own runway segment, I knew this would hands down be the most meaningful and important project I would tackle thus far in my career.
For those of you that have never been to a hair show, hundreds, sometimes thousands of hairstylists and barbers from across the globe come together to celebrate the art of our craft, think the MTV VMAS or the Met Gala. Runway segments consist of a team of hairstylists, colorists, makeup artists and fashion designers creating head to toe looks representing an individual, artistic team, product manufacturer or brand. Even though I have been in the industry for over ten years I knew this could potentially be the first step to achieving my lifelong goals.
If you know anything about my brand you already know it is about so much more than hair. On June 24th, 2022, the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, leaving it up to individual states to decide whether women have a right to make decisions about their own bodies or not. It was time to use my voice.
Months of research, weeks of hands-on wig making and wardrobe prep, one brilliant DJ, 10 supportive models, 15 unbelievably talented hairstylists, and countless hours of self-doubt later I was able to produce a collection I am truly proud of.
END THE WAR ON WOMEN is something I put my whole entire heart into, a complete composition of who I am wrapped into a vulnerable five-minute segment. Haircolor, precision cutting, barbering, protective styles such as locs and box braids, avant garde styling, wig making, fashion, history, and activism wrapped in a bow. For the first time in my life, I can say I am genuinely proud of something I produced.
Credits
Music: @zmajor_music
Models: @shaeallen.sa @shecutehoney @ethomas931 @jt.hancock @jus_me_kata_p @jerricahbutler @c_macncheese @delfin_it @abromwich @courtneyjohair
Stylists: @alexajoly @shannasimms @marchharesalon @beautybyoliviagrotestl @ry.allison_beauty @courtneyjohair @venus.gampp @hairbytorigene @beautyby_carlee @camillehair_ing @miss_mauris @laurenblairhair @styled.byspring @emmaotoolehair
Erica, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I feel my work falls into so many different categories within the beauty industry. First and foremost, I am an artist. During the week my focus is behind the chair working with and empowering all individuals with all hair types at Smith + Simms Hair Company in Ladue where I also moonlight as Artistic Director, mentor, and lead cutting educator.
On the weekends I get the privilege to travel the country as an educator for L’Oreal Professionnel. I spend down time building my personal brand BEAUTY IS EQUAL and hand making wigs and headpieces for photoshoots, runway shows, and hair competitions (yes that is a thing). Which has led me to opportunities such as Mercedes Benz New York Fashion week, gallery shows, music videos, and editorial photoshoots.
In all honesty, I have so much passion for what I do that it is hard to say what I am most proud of. Rather than it being a specific project or collection I think I am most proud of my tenacity. Being a lesbian woman raised in poverty with ADHD, dyslexia, a processing disorder, high functioning anxiety and autism I think we can all agree the odds of success are not exactly stacked in my favor according to societal standards.
My “superpower” is that I am not afraid of failure; I am afraid of regret which puts me in a position of constant growth. I feel a growth mindset combined with an undeniable eagerness to learn puts me in a position to truly listen to the needs and wants of others. I understand I will never be able to fully understand what others have experienced but I can make others feel seen, heard, and empowered and that is my specialty.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Perseverance aka stubbornness
Not once has this journey been easy. Everything I have, I earned through hard work. I have been told “no” or “you can’t” and
” you’re not enough” more times than I can count; ironically negative responses automatically make me what whatever I am after even more. Like most of us, I have failed a million times more than I have succeeded but I refuse to let mistakes be my end game. I have been told I am like a dog playing fetch. Admitting my faults and viewing them as opportunities of growth rather than setbacks has allowed me to have grace and empathy for others. Working in an industry that revolves 100% around people, it is beyond important to be able to genuinely understand people. By authentically being me I am able to connect with others on a deeper level which is vital when building trust within a relationship.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Self discovery
Before I started creating for collections I seriously had no clue who I was as an artist, looking back I can now see the first 4-5 years of my work were absolutely inspired by the work of people I idolized. After each collection is complete I take time to reflect on my process, wins. learns. opportunities and areas of growth compared to the previous collection. Being able to combine art with self awareness and personal growth ultimately comes full circle allowing me to create even more tailored looks for my guests. Everything we do is connected and it is exciting to know every time I learn something new within my craft I will ultimately learn something new about who I am as an individual.
Contact Info:
- Website: ericaleemoomey.com
- Instagram: @ericaleemoomey
- Facebook: Hair by Erica Moomey
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsil4TcXAHiNrxA1_j63ynA
- Other: website: [email protected] salon website: smithandsimms.com
Image Credits
Photographer: (images 1-5) Bibi Photography Photographer: (images 6-8) Shintaro Design