By: Justine Stafford
It’s early on a freezing cold winter’s morning in Camps Bay. The ocean is a froth of angry foam crashing onto the sand and the horizon is shrouded in a lonely sea fog. For most sun-obsessed Capetonians, this is what we call stay-in-bed weather. But spend five minutes with Jeannie D, and you’ll quickly realise, she is not like ‘most’ people.
“I don’t mind the early start. I’ll do anything if you promise to put me in front of a camera,” she jokes in her signature seductive chuckle, looking fresh-faced and full of energy as she cruises into our Camps Bay Retreat hotel suite, flanked by fashion stylist, Bev Nates, and hair and MUA, Tremayne West.
“Well, the camera is going to love you today,” Bev tells her with a wry smile. “I’m calling this shoot Jeannie Unleashed. We’re going to show the world your fashion-forward wild side.”
As Bev unveils her rail of designer and vintage finds, from iridescent sequinned sheaths and peacock-hued silks to delicate, velvet hair bows and even a showstopper bustle skirt, she talks us through her Hyper Glam brief, and the team knuckles down to get Jeannie ready.
“Our hair reference is the Victoria Beckham look that’s trending right now, with waist-length extensions and a defined center-part,” Tremayne explains. “As for Jeannie’s make-up, I always emphasise her mesmerising green eyes with warm bronze tones, then add a lush dewiness to her skin and a gorgeous nude lip.”
While Tremayne and Bev get Jeannie prepped for her first shot, she keeps the crew entertained with tales of all the dream destinations she’s visited during her three-year hiatus away from the spotlight, and the thrill of starting her own business, Jeannieous.
She explains how the multi-channel content platform, that aims to give her highly engaged Fans and Followers a sneak peek into her jet-set lifestyle, went from a vague idea to a clear reality thanks to a serendipitous late-night conversation with her friend, now business partner, Justine Stafford – a content strategist in the fashion and lifestyle arena.
“We were on holiday in Costa Rica together and one night we got talking about what we wanted from our futures. Many hours, and a couple of charcoal margaritas later, we’d formed a new company, brainstormed a #jeannieous new brand, and the fun has not stopped ever since.”
Just then, photographer Caroline McClelland pops her head around the curtain and says, “Jeannie, we’re ready for you. ” The conversation pauses as Jeannie jumps up and effortlessly slips into action mode.
Ten hours later, the camera shutter is still clicking, and Jeannie is still hard at work, as animated and upbeat as she was at first light. “You’re the only person I’ve ever met who has more energy than me,” Caroline laughs, as she and Jeannie get into a creative rhythm, with every shot looking more incredible than the last.
As the weak winter sun dips below the ocean horizon, they finally call it a day, and, as the crew pack up their gear and Jeannie slips out to change into casual sweats, Caroline sums up what we’ve all been thinking. “Jeannie’s a joy to work with because she’s a livewire firecracker. She’s always a hundred percent ‘On’ and is ready for anything.”
And that, we all agree, is the #jeannieous talent of the one and only Jeannie D.
Credits:
Photographer: Caroline McClelland
Stylist: Bev Nates
Hair & Make-up Artist: Tremayne West
Videographer: Gage Powell
Digital Assistant: Craig Totten
Lighting: Leon Basler
Fashion Assistant: Isabella Peerutin
Location: Camps Bay Retreat
