There are certain moments when the work you’ve been building behind the scenes finally gets its moment in the spotlight. For us, that moment came last weekend in Martha’s Vineyard with studioQL’s Anchors & Currents exhibition. We brought the project to life through a series of events, from gallery appointments and a vinyl sound lounge to intimate private dinners and a final celebration.

I founded studioQL alongside my business partners Morgan Webster Saunders and Taylor Webster as a creative startup rooted in art, but designed to create a broader creative language—one that allows artists to move fluidly across disciplines, including sound, design, architecture, technology, and fine art. Anchors & Currents was an opportunity to bring that vision into focus, creating a space where those disciplines could intersect and, ultimately, speak to one another.

What started as an idea has grown into a business, a creative community, and a reflection of everything my team and I have been working toward. So when it came time to celebrate our latest exhibition, one of the biggest moments of my career, every detail—from what we wore to how we got ready—felt intentional.

Our routine, ahead of the Anchors & Currents closing celebration, started fresh out of the shower, with songs like Odeal’s “London Summers” and “Gratitude” by Asake playing in the background. We had to set the tone perfectly for a night of celebration. We started with Fenty’s Butta Drop Hydrating Milk in the newest Vanilla Bean scent, which was the perfect first step. It left our skin moisturized, glowing, and “sexy” as Morgan put it, allowing that radiance to shine through the dresses we had chosen for the night ahead.

Morgan and I both went natural for the event, so naturally, we reached for The Water Boi to give our hair a layer of moisture before applying any heat or additional product. With my hair, I’ve learned that less is more, so whenever I need a refresh, The Water Boi Leave-In Conditioner is my go-to. From there, I use the 9-in-1 Hair Oil to protect my hair if I decide to rod it that day.

Next came our makeup prep. We started with the Fenty Dew N’ Plump to make sure our skin felt moisturized and soft, then followed with the Grip Trip Mattifying & Blurring Primer for the smoothest possible base. For Taylor the primer was her fave. 

“I love how it creates such a smooth, blurred base and helps everything else sit beautifully on the skin. It’s one of those products that makes a noticeable difference without feeling like you’re doing too much,” she shared with me as we were getting ready. 

Fenty also gave us a little sneak peek, allowing us to try their brand-new Pro Filt’r FluidFlex Foundation before it officially launched in stores. What I love about this foundation is its versatility: you can build it up for fuller coverage or keep it sheer depending on how much you apply. During the day, I wanted my natural skin to shine through, so I used just a dab under my eyes to even everything out, then used the new curved brush to gently sweep it across my cheekbones.

From there, we continued with the rest of our routine: bronzer around the perimeter of the face and along the cheekbones, a touch of liquid blush above the cheeks, underneath the eyes, and on the tip of the nose. And, of course, a precise line of brown lip liner around the perimeter of the lips, topped with a little Gloss Bomb for shine. For the eyes, we kept it simple with the Hella Thicc Volumizing Mascara. We finished with Invisimatte Instant Setting + Blotting Powder to lock everything in and make sure we stayed beat through a full night of dancing and celebrating.

Once the glam was complete, we accessorized with jewelry from Alexis Bittar, grabbed our bags, and slipped into our looks for the night. Mine? Diotima, of course, paired with Femme LA lace-up sandals. I eventually swapped these for a pair of Saint Laurent mules, finished with an Alaïa Le Teckel mini bag. 

Morgan wore a multicolored Akira crochet dress with Amina Muaddi mules and carried a Hermés bag. Meanwhile, Taylor stepped out in a playful vintage Roberto Cavalli ruffled dress paired with Zara shoes and a bag sourced from a boutique in Nigeria. Each look had its own personality, but together, we felt perfectly dressed for the night ahead.

And for the finishing touch, we each chose a fragrance to complete the look. For me, it was Hermès Barénia. For Taylor, it was a mix of Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club layered with Prada Candy. And for Morgan it’s Delina by Parfum de Marly. There’s something about fragrance that signals when the getting-ready process is officially over—it’s the final detail that sets the mood before you step out into the night.

And just like that, Morgan threw on “DJ Got Me” by Maeta and we were ready to go. A celebration of the months of hard work, bottled into one unforgettable night, awaited us. 

Scroll ahead for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at us getting ready to dance the night away.