There are mothers, and there are Mothers.
Its how Tracey Africa Norman earned her name.
Her soft, striking features made her particularly suited to beauty campaigns.
Diego Bendezu
One of her first breaks came when legendary photographer Irving Penn cast her in a two-day shoot forVogueItalia.
(She heard hers was the hottest selling box.)
She knew the reason: They discovered she was trans.
Hairstylist Sonny Molina created these sculptural looks on Norman. Here, they say, “I was inspired by an Irving Penn photo of Kate Moss [fromVogue,1994] with giant metal pieces on her head.” They assembled a spiral of hair from around 15 wefts, fashioning a three-foot-long swirl. “Something about it felt beautiful, like a ’70s or ’80s hat.”Helsa dress. Vintage gloves from Paumé Los Angeles. Jennifer Behr earrings. To get the beauty look: Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Intimatte Soft Matte Lipstick in 888 French Idol.
The grand prize for an elegant evening presentation was $1,000 and Norman needed the money.
Then they asked her to be Mother.
Hairstylist Sonny Molina created these sculptural looks on Norman.
They assembled a spiral of hair from around 15 wefts, fashioning a three-foot-long swirl.
Something about it felt beautiful, like a 70s or 80s hat.
Vintage gloves from Paume Los Angeles.
To get the beauty look: Lancome LAbsolu Rouge Intimatte Soft Matte Lipstick in 888 French Idol.
Norman is 71 now and has been a mother since childhood.
Being Mother was different.
I was treating them [House of Africa members] like they were my real kids.
She would assign categories and style her children.
By day, she worked at a peep show near Times Square and then at a shoe store.
Clairol shot her for another ad campaign and she recently signed a three-year contract at The Muse agency.
Even as Im here talking to you, Im in survival mode.
Top image: Earrings from Paume Los Angeles.
To get the beauty look: MAC Lustreglass Sheer-Shine Lipstick in Succumb to Plum.
Photographer: Diego BendezuFashion Stylist: Christine Nicholson
Hair: Sonny Molina
Makeup: Jezz Hill
Manicure: Leanne Woodley
