What is the Red Gene Project?
While flicking through FB in 2016, an article popped up about sperm banks no longer taking donations from red headed men as the gene was deemed 'undesirable' - and the rest, is history...
In the beginning.
As a red head myself, I decided to call out to other red heads to be photographed and aimed to capture the absolute beauty of red hair, as well as the personality beneath the amazingly crown.
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After two successful exhibitions in different towns, I decided to create a books of the images and also called out to the world for submissions to include as many redheads as possible in hopes to empower and embrace others with the unique colour.
Be a part of something AMAZING!
Celebrating Uniqueness.
Submissions flowed heavily during the first official submission edition called ‘Around the World 22’ and momentum continued with an ‘United States of America & Canada’, United Kingdom, ‘Island of Ireland’ and ‘Around the World 2023' editions following.
A creative edition celebrating the amazing shades of red hair continued the project with the ‘Rainbow of RED’ edition being created with a heartwarming ‘Then & Now’ edition following shortly after.
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Determine to include all, a fury, scaled and feathered edition featuring redheads of the animal kind was created also including beloved 'Rufescent PETS'
Empowering Redheads.
Families and partners of redheads were also included in the project, in a participant requested edition called 'RED LOVE'
An amazing side series was also created featuring eye colours and the saying that 'Blue Eyed redheads are the rarest combination' was blown out of the water with hundreds of blue eyed redheads featured.
A clothing label was also created and boasts both the edition covers on a number of different apparels as well as a unique street label suitable for everyone to wear to celebrate redheads.
The project continued in 2024 with an 'Around the World 24' edition being released, followed by a book which highlighted the amazing charismatic charm of redheads through costume 'HALLOWEEN'. A participant suggestion spurred the creation of another artistic edition featuring redheads and their awesome body art called 'Ginger Ink'.
A wholesome 'Then & Now 24' edition followed shortly after.
The Red Gene Project continues to grow and embrace the beautiful colour and celebrates the personalities of every unique redhead.
Children's Book
During the project, many families mentioned the struggles their young redheads were feeling. Bullying is still a massive struggle for a lot of red headed children so I decided to write a children's book highlighting how amazing red hair is.
Called 'Do you know how AMAZING REDHEADS are?', the book was finalised in 2024 with illustrations from the very talented Tullip Studio and was edited by the fantastic Karen Crombie.
It is full of interesting facts of powers only redheads possess and confidence building tools for all young redheads.
It is the perfect addition to the project and continues with the beautiful empowering message to embrace your uniqueness.
