A few weeks back on my list of 54 things to consider doing while in college, I mentioned going to a school fashion show. Well, instead of going to one, I walked in one. I was a part of UNCG’s 2017 Pink Power Fashion Show, a charity event benefiting the Mammography Scholarship for the Women’s Hospital of Greensboro. I modeled. I met people. I dressed up. I faked it til I made it. No lie. Everything was so glamorous and shiny and pink. I developed a crush or two, but eh, I mean that was to be expected. I even managed a few photogenic moments that also happened to be captured by a camera. Needless to say, it was a cool experience.
You may be wondering how I came to model in this fashion show. Well being male, it is not that hard, at least I don’t think it is, to model in this particular show because there are practically no male models (one other than myself). My friend, who doubled as my stylist for the show, literally just asked me one day, in conversation, to model for her. I said yea. I figured it would be cool. It was cool because being a model in this show meant seeing and experiencing high fashion culture on the runway, as well as everything backstage behind the scenes. Preparing for the show was truly an all-day event. From girls perfecting make-up and hair to the last rehearsal several hours before the show to setting up the stage and the venue to both designers and models alike making sure their garments and clothes are in tip top condition for the runway, alongside other tedious tasks done the day of the show. I have immense respect for the students who organized and promoted the event. They were incredible at facilitating the show and the rehearsals.
Now when I tell people that I have modeled before they tend to assume a lot. Modeling, from my experience, is not all that wild and crazy. Actually, all you are is a lab rat for your designer/stylist. You wear the clothes they tell you to and you walk and pose for the sake of the clothing’s aesthetic. It’s still cool though, playing dress-up and stuff. It’s fun because, for me, it’s like the one day a year I dress up and try to look fly and be fresh and have an audience, if only for a few moments, show up and watch me walk. I know this sounds narcissistic, but what model isn’t at least a bit flattered by it all? I got to see all these beautiful people so gracefully show the ever present influence and value fashion has in today’s world. I’m grateful to have been in the show. I’m grateful for my friend and Stylist Isabel. She is the one who put me on. She didn’t have to do that. I’m grateful it all went so well. I am grateful for the fact that, simply put, it was a really good time. If are considering modeling or walking in a fashion show, I say give it a shot. You’ve got little to lose in doing so honestly. Everyone, I think, regardless of shape, size or color has a unique look to them that a fashionable and aesthetically inclined mind can find and amplify for the world to see. I know I have said the word “cool” a lot thus far, but the whole show and everything was just…COOL….you know?