New GFW Photoshoot: May The Forces Be w/ You

The Impact (formerly TNA, now GFW) Knockouts are back in a BIG way! They have their first full photoshoot in aaaaaages and it includes most of the roster. Even better, the snaps are seriously awesome! The ladies each portray a force of nature, in keeping with their new promotion. Earth, wind, water and fire are all represented and quite fabulously at that!
Allie took on the force of water in a beach-setting collection of snaps. She paired a white faux-wrap cami with lace shorts, which are noteworthy for the gorgeous scalloped edges. While I'm a little surprised that she didn't reach for blue tones, I love the softness of these shots and the way she explores classic pin-up poses as she rolls about in the sand. The backdrop takes a bit of artistic license with its wispy waves; if you're looking for ultra-realism, this might throw you for awhile, as it did me. It's not my favorite facet of the 'shoot, but when I adjusted my perspective to looking at it as an artistic assemblage, rather than a photograph, it's dealable. It does add a hiccough to a very solid set of snaps that are not only the sultriest we’ve seen from Allie, but also some of the prettiest, as well as an indication of her appreciable fashion talent.
As with her street fashion, Laurel's photoshoot pops off the page; it's immediately engaging,  impactful and hot as heck! She donned a black, strappy monokini for her interpretation of water's force. The piece is 100% fierce in and of itself and Laurel unquestionably owns the look. Posing with poise and confidence, she rocks my word hard by playing with her hair and  glancing over her shoulder , smashing the open-mouth facial in the process and making it instantly relevant again. Her wet hair looks as though it is catching the spray from the waterfall backdrop, which is fittingly symbolic of both danger and beauty.  Everything – background, fashion , poses – comes together brilliantly in this set, making it one of the standout collections of the ‘shoot. Brava.
It's been too long since we've gotten to enjoy Gail's prowess in a photoshoot and her skill and experience shines through here, as she embodies the force of wind - what else but a gale force for Gail? I'm thrilled with her interpretation - it's creative and darkly beautiful, expressing the theme in an intriguing and aesthetically stunning way. Outside of a strappy bikini bottom  and strappy heels, the fashion consists primarily of fringe-like strands of black ribbon that extend the full length of her body and sway in the breeze, creating the sense of movement and drama that makes these snaps so captivating. Her long, flowing curls reinforce the idea. The peekaboo effect of the blowing fabric brings in a seductive tension that adds intensity to the snaps, while Gail's flawless poses heighten the effect. I especially love the one of her playing with her hair, eye half-closed, as if savoring her power!

New KO Ava Storie created the idea of the force of earth. She kept her fashion simple, with a fringed bodysuit done in heathered charcoal. It's a surprising choice - I would immediately think of green or beige hues -, but it works brilliantly, standing out from the verdant foliage backdrop.  My favorite aspect of the 'shoot is her choice to add a crown of tiny peach-pink wildflowers to her hair - it's the crucial piece that cements the wild, earthy feel and makes her look like a wood sprite, flitting among the branches of her chosen forest.  Her simple but appealing poses enhance that concept, making the shots wonderfully effective. I love how fully she embraced this theme!
While Ava is earth in joyful, early spring, Taryn’s take is earth in hushed, flushing autumn. The soft lighting and hints of color from the background trees skip over the season’s fiery glory and instead explores its more peaceful moments, bathed in the cooler light of a more distant sun. The gentle background is an interesting foil for the sensuality of Taryn’s lace-up front gray bodysuit – there’s a complex interplay between the delicacy of the fog and thinning leaves and the lustier styling choices that makes these snaps come alive more than a more direct correlation. The texture of her headband and the beautiful detail of the feathers in her hair are just-right touches that connect Taryn to the backdrop and help flesh out the concept. I wish she had been able to explore a few more poses, but it’s clear she hasn’t lost her knack for creating great photoshoots during her hiatus.
Karen Jarrett is back, loves! And I couldn’t be more thrilled. She explores the force of water in the sexiest way, wearing a beige net cover-up – and apparently little else – for her ‘shoot. While I wouldn’t advise doing this ensemble as is when mixing among the general populace, it works flawlessly as an editorial piece! The nautical vibe of the netting, in conjunction with Karen’s tantalizing poses, gives her the look of a mermaid rising up from the depths of the sea to cavort in the sand. The stunning sunset in the background enhances the otherworldly quality. I’m not often  fan of wet-look hair, but it’s a perfect choice here, underscoring the sea-goddess concept. Dark nails add a grounding dose of edge to the otherwise ephemeral aura. Seductive in the most siren-like way, Karen slays this ‘shoot from stem to stern.

McKenzie embraced the force of air in her snaps, bringing the idea to life via an unusual piece: a lace-up front romper with an attached skirt. It works fantastically well, acting as the perfect prop to convey the flowing dynamism of her chosen force.  Although I could have wished for a less harsh color palette than all black against this background (sky blue, navy or dove gray come to mind), I can’t help but be impressed with the poses that she’s come up with. The simple standing ones are given extra interest via the sheer skirt, while the more complex looking-back-over-her-shoulder one is straight up magnificent. McKenzie’s black ankle strap pumps don’t necessarily add to the concept, but they’re totally gorge so I’m all in for them, as well as for her fringed statement earrings, which provide the only alternative hue in her ensemble. So, short version: I’m still abso loving McKenzie’s fashion work.
Diamante takes a darker view of Earth's energy, taking us on a mud-caked journey that entails laying in and crawling through slop. It’s not your typical fashion ‘shoot, but I like the way she makes the concept her own, creating an angrier, more destructive picture of the force of earth. She pairs a snake print tank – which adds an interesting double entendre to her roll through the mud – with black denim shorts, which sport an uncommon button fly, left partially open in classic 90’s style. Her attention to detail extends even as far as her make-up, where she uses a fantastic chocolate and burgundy palette that perfectly enhances the gritty, piercing vibe she’s created.
As the only Knockout to take on the force of fire, Taya literally scorches her snaps. The double front slits – especially ones so worrisomely high – are generally going to earn a thumbs down from me and it’s not really necessary here – a single slit would do as well. Outside of that, though, Taya’s choices are excellent. The fiery red dress is just right for this concept. With her blonde hair, it echoes the scarlet and gold shades of the photoshopped fire. This is one instance where the artistic additions are glorious, really bringing the idea to life and giving the snap intrigue. Equally responsible for that, though, are Taya’s poses! Chanelling some ancient Norse fire goddess, she controls the fire like a pet, guiding and directing it, even as it engulfs her. Each of these are gems, but it’s her sitting pose which particularly stands out for its uniqueness, intensity and allure. This is one amazing way to step onto the scene and I’m ready to see more!