The actress was 31-year-old British beauty Emily Blunt, whose cornflower-blue eyes, toned dancer’s body and flawless complexion could turn even Snow White green with envy. She was a formidable onscreen talent who routinely surprised her audience with a range of dissimilar roles in such films as The Devil Wears Prada (2006) and Edge of Tomorrow (2014) and boasted impressive industry accolades (a BAFTA award and two Golden Globe nominations at last count). Yet she also had a keen visual eye and a natural instinct for hair and makeup, which she longed to put to use.      

Alas, though Blunt waited patiently, no fairy godmother materialized with a glossy magazine assignment to satisfy her creative appetite. After a while, the situation started to seem rather hopeless. But one dreary November day this year, something truly extraordinary happened: Blunt was given a high-concept photo shoot to conceive, direct and star in. Who granted her wish? VIOLET GREY, of course, who relinquished complete control and felt confident she could execute it seamlessly.  

Blunt wasted no time in working her magic. She assembled a mythical team that included stylist Jessica Paster, makeup artist Jenn Streicher, hairstylist Ashley Streicher and photographer Norman Jean Roy. For the concept, she decided to revisit the moody, enchanted subject matter of her upcoming film, Into the Woods. Opening Christmas day and co-starring Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick and Johnny Depp, it is a remake of the famous Stephen Sondheim musical that intertwines several classic fairy tales and recasts them through a darker lens. “The message is very much ‘Be careful of what you wish for,’” explains Blunt of Sondheim’s twisted take on the Brother’s Grimm’s fabled tales. 

The shoot took place at the historic Carlyle Hotel in New York and focused on three well-known heroines—Cinderella, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood — from the Grimm’s canon. However, Blunt’s versions aren’t exactly appropriate for bedtime stories. “These aren’t portraits of one-dimensional fairy tale characters,” explains Blunt, who developed looks for each character. “They are modern women who are powerful and complicated.”    

After the shoot wrapped, Blunt bid adieu to her team and returned home to her handsome Prince Charming (husband actor John Krasinski) and their 10-month-old daughter, Hazel. And though VIOLET GREY is reluctant to speculate on such matters, there’s a strong possibility that they will indeed live happily ever after. 
 
The End*       

* Of course, judging by Blunt’s gorgeous handiwork and comfort behind the camera, one senses this is just the beginning. Below, the actress delves into the details of each look.