1426 FASHION WEEK

*Behind the Scenes*

She walked down the runway with such ferocity, making eye contact with every single person in the crowd. From the front row VIP section to those that stood in the back of the hall, she cast down her eyes and dared me to look up at her...

 I put the camera down and watched as she strode down the long path towards the blinking lights of cameras and faced them confidently, her head held high. This, I know, was what they call “WOMAN”

1426 FASHION WEEK 2014 

On Saturday morning I attended a panel discussion located on the second story of a small business center just below the center of downtown Houston at Club Indigo. In a blue, black, and silver colored lounge sat thirty people on bar stools, at tables, or on comfortable stylish chairs talking among themselves before the event began. Photos were taken, new friends and networking connections were made, and I sat in vague anticipation, not sure what to expect. Out of the tall windows behind the panel, the skyline of Houston shone in the morning light of a cloudless sky...

Miss Pinky (HER WEBSITE.... HER FACEBOOK) spoke about the importance of being: TEACHABLE, TRAINABLE, and COACHABLE and also KNOWING YOUR “WHY”. She told her story, how she started modeling, the traveling she's done, and opportunities that have arisen from her humility and willingness to learn. The most important part of her message, to me, was when she talked about knowing “why” we do what we do with our life, whether it is professionally or through our hobbies. I know the reason why I spend hours a day writing, taking, editing, or posting photos, playing the piano and writing music, or drawing, but sometimes I lose focus trying to juggle so many things. She reminded me to keep my mind and heart focused on my goals and the reason why I began my journey of putting my art out there. 

Tamara Dennyse of Curvy Connect Magazine (Follow them on TWITTER)and my close friend Brazilia Moda editor and CEO of BBW Beauties Magazine both gave advice to models pursuing publicity opportunities and spoke on the struggles and processes of maintaining blogs and magazines. Also, the genius behind PHELINE DESIGNS gave advice to aspiring models and shared her success story.

The big night had finally arrived, Sunday October 19th, and as the sky changed colors from blue to purple and stars broke through the darkness I walked with my friend Violet (CURVY GIRL ON A BUDGET) down the long corridor to the conference room...

Inside the conference room a long white runway ended at a wall with the words "1426 Fashion Week". Two curtained walls on either side hid where models were carefully putting on their outfits. Hearts raced as the show was about to start. With well orchestrated music and the lively emcee Curtis Von (actor) there was a great hush over the crowd as the first model stepped foot on the runway...

I was completely in awe not only of the beautiful clothes, jewelry, and footwear, but by the models themselves. While some faces in the crowd look up at the exquisitely dressed models with something like a searching, penetrating stare, others gazed in wonder at the confidence of women some in society have called unattractive and too “big” to succeed. Every time her foot hits the runway, with each step, she is climbing, changing the playing field, and “integrating the runway” to include any and every size, shape, stature, and color. 

Like an artist painting a colorful sunset landscape, the shades are many and varied, but in the end a beautiful masterpiece is born from the struggle and sweat of preparation, determination, and confidence...

Here are the photos I took of most of the Designers!

The following are photos I took behind the scenes as the models faced the cameras at the end of the runway....

I'm honored to have had the opportunity to take these photos from the VIP section right next to the stage. I even got a goodie bag! So cool! Here's Violet's dog Snoopy trying to steal my stuff! ;)

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