EXTRAHOLDEDGECONTROL”- A Hair Story by Nikki Nelms, photographed by Arthur Jafa for his beautifully edited issue of @i_d magazine “The DARKER Issue” . 🖤✊🏿I was super excited to shoot with the amazing AJ. He is soooooo smart. I could really just listen to him talk and tell stories all day (even though most of the time, he uses words that I’ve never even heard before😂). Not only is he one of the most smart and creative people that I know...but we are both from the beautiful south. 🖤 He also let me come up with the concept, choose the models aaannnnnddd title this super special 10-12 page story! 🖤 Working with AJ reminded me of just how much I love being different and from the south. The way he works inspired me to name the story “Extraholdedgecontrol” (all one word no spaces)... also a nod to @outkast i.e #southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. @andre3000 and @bigboi are two creatives, from the south, that were different and had something to say!...and I was listening. To me, “extraholdedgecontrol” is more than words used to describe a hair product. Its how I choose to describe that “thing” that’s so often indescribable that I see in so many Hair Stylist that are Black. That exceptional “thing” about us, that blows everyone else’s minds, but feels so regular and basic to us. That EXTRA HOLD we keep when it comes to style. That EDGE we have that keeps everyone in awe, even when we ain’t trying. The CONTROL we possess, that influences the world alllll the time. I love us. Thank u @anamibia @i_d @alastairmckimm and @_leyaandrews for everything. ✊🏾🖤 Thank you @makeupbybrookehill ur makeup is beautiful. Thank you @jordanadavid you were the best! #DARKERissue #Extraholdedgecontrol #HairByNikkiNelms