As I previously mentioned here, Youth In Need held its first charity fashion show; clothing was from Potentials Resale Boutique and boots were provided by Cat Footwear.  My sole responsibility in preparation for the show was clothing selection and styling.  It gave me a chance to actually use my college degree.  I spent a lot of time trying to remember what I had learned in my fashion show production class years ago.  That class was one of my favorites out of the whole four and a half years I was in the fashion program. 

The Fashion With A Passion fashion show raised almost $10,000 for Youth In Need.  It raised awareness for Youth In Need as well as the resale store, Potentials.  Audience members could see affordable looks on the runway that actually came from a resale store.  By purchasing clothes and accessories from Potentials, they're not only helping themselves to runway looks, but they're also helping children reach their full "potential."

{The Runway.  Photo:  Pixelography}

 The fashion show was held at The Big Club Hall in St. Louis' Italian district.

{Before the show.  Photo:  Pixelography}

Fashion show attendees snacked on appetizers and sipped drinks before the show.  There was also a silent auction upstairs. 

{Kelly, Me, Lisa, Rebecca, and Mary.  Photo:  Pixelography}

The Potentials staff before the show.

{Nite Owl.  Photo:  Pixelography}

Nite Owl was the host for the evening and Pixelography provided all of the photos.

{Hollister T-Shirt, American Eagle capri on Candace.  Photo:  Pixelography}

{Missoni cardigan, Rock & Republic denim on Jordan.  Photo:  Pixelography}

{Banana Republic shirt, vest, and American Eagle pants on Nicholas.  Photo:  Pixelography}

{Tommy Hilfiger cardigan, Worthington blouse, Merona skirt on Candace.  Photo:  Pixelography}

{Cache dress on Carolyn.  Photo:  Pixelography}

{Ann Taylor dress on Julia.  Photo:  Pixelography}

{Alfani suit on Peter.  Photo:  Pixelography}

{BCBGMaxAzria dress on Abigail.  Photo:  Pixelography}

{Diane von Furstenberg tunic, Old Navy capri (what a pairing right?) on Jordan.  Photo:  Pixelography}

The professional models were from West Models.  Though I was backstage with the clothes and models during the actual show, I hear it was amazing.  I did sneak out to see the final walk and finale.  It was so cool to see outfits on the runway that I had put together.  There were a total of 72 different outfits on 10 models.  Several outfits sold that night to those in attendance.  I ran around like a crazy woman after the show with my outfit binder getting clothing tags for purchases.

It was such a great night and I'm so glad I was a part of it.     

This past week was exciting for several reasons.  One being I Spy DIY Style by Jenni Radosevich was finally out on Tuesday (buy it here or here.)  I've been waiting for months for this book to come out.  I ordered mine on Amazon and hopefully it will be here soon.  I first saw Jenni on the Rachael Ray Show a while back, then started following her blog. 

{I Spy DIY Style in stores and online now.}

Also this week, I noticed that there were flowers popping up every where in my yard.  This is our first spring in the new house so I had no idea what, if anything, would grow in the yard.  Keep in mind I have not planted a single thing all spring, and really haven't even weeded or managed anything at all.  I feel like the lady who used to live here drives by, sees that I haven't manged the flower beds, and curses me.  She obviously liked to garden.  I don't know that I have the patience for it. 

{Flowers from our yard.}

After months of preparation, the Fashion with a Passion fashion show through Potentials and Youth In Need was on Wednesday.  Having the styling and clothing selection placed on my shoulders meant that this show all but consumed my work life for weeks.  I was back stage during the actual fashion show, so I didn't see how everything turned out, but I hear the models and clothes looked great.  (More on the show itself later.) 

{Backstage after sorting the clothes by model and order of appearance.}

The week ended with an impromptu trip to Klondike Park in St. Charles on Saturday.

{After hiking up a very steep hill.}

With the fashion show now over, I can focus on upcoming events in May and read my new book when it arrives.

On Thursday night I accompanied my boss to the Alive Magazine spring fashion show, "Glow."  I had an absolute blast and was glad to be back in the St. Louis fashion scene. 

{Photo by Alive Magazine}

The show was held at Windows Off Washington and featured several local boutiques.

{Photo by Alive Magazine}

{View from the balcony}

 The show had several sponsers including Little Black Dress Vodka.

{Photo by Alive Magazine}

{My delicious cranberry and vodka.}

{Photo by Alive Magazine}

{Photo by Alive Magazine}

With music by DJ Nune, the show featured looks for guys and girls from 10denzo, Devil City, Erker's fine eyewear, Esther, Ivy Hill, Ola, Skif, and Sole & Blues.  Some of my favorite looks came from Ivy Hill and Devil City.  When the show started, I was so focused on the show that I forgot to take any photos of my favorite looks.  Thankfully I found these photos online after show.  Here are my favorites:

{All photos by Alive Magazine}

The looks included polka dots, bright colors, neons, and flowy fabrics.  For some reason I keep being drawn to shades of green lately.  It's no surprise some of my favorite outfits included shades of green.  The show gave me a much needed mood boost.  I liked being in the company of some of St. Louis' most fashionable inhabitants. 

While in college, it’s safe to say that most people find themselves in interesting situations. Especially when they’re a naïve undergrad who agrees to anything asked of them.

While runway shows were one of my favorite projects, I had a particular experience that was a little different.

My favorite runway show will always be the one that landed me in a gay bar.

A friend of mine from the fashion department worked at an upscale boutique. This boutique was doing a fashion show and she needed some extra models. Though I was very much an amateur runway model, I agreed to help her out. She gave me the information and thanked me graciously.

I showed up on the night of the show to learn that the show was being held at a popular gay bar in town. Having never been in a gay bar before, I was a little nervous. I took a deep breath and stepped through the door. Since it was before opening time, there were only a couple of bartenders stocking the bar. I walked past them and down to the basement, where I had been instructed to go. As I came down the stairs I found myself in the middle of a huge dressing room full of drag queens.

They all had on pounds of make up but were not dressed yet. Instead they wore bras, panties, and silk robes. No one seemed to notice me, but my friend located me and ushered me back to where the models for the show were getting ready. She explained that right before the fashion show, there was going to a drag queen beauty pageant. She shrugged and laughed at the fact that she had no idea these two shows were on the same night.

I looked at the other models and soon realized I was out of my league. Most, if not all of them were professionals. A couple of the other girl models asked who my agent was. They proceeded to tell me where all they had worked and what local ads I could find their photo in. Great. I could see it in their eyes. “Amateur girl, what are you doing here?”

As the night went on, I learned that drag queens take longer to get ready than most females. One of them, who we’ll call “Shelly”, told us that he/she had been there since 4 that afternoon. I was amazed how they all wanted everything to look so perfect. They really took pride in their appearance. Another queen who we’ll call “Terri” explained that this was his/her third show this week. Terri considered her/himself a semi-professional queen. The whole experience was fascinating.

While my own hair was being done by a professional stylist, my friend offered me a drink. She had made a special citrusy drink for the other models to have during show preparation. Because I was so thirsty I gulped two glasses before realizing that the drink was laced with vodka. I had drunk it so fast that my head started to spin. This was already a weird situation, so why not have a third glass.

My friend handed me my outfit for the show; tight black shorts and a red silky top. She then told me how “Arabella” would be doing my makeup. It turns out Arabella is none other than, the most glamorous drag queen in the room. Flaunting a lacy tank top and black mini skirt in his/her six foot frame, Arabella motioned for me to come over.

“Sit right here,” Arabella instructed. She/he proceeded to apply makeup to my face. I could feel that it was way more than I had ever put on myself. Arabella and I continued to make small talk with I looked down, seeing right down Arabella’s shirt. I saw a bra cupping two nude colored foam balls. Interesting. I quickly looked away not wanting to be caught looking down the shirt. When Arabella finished, I indeed looked like a drag queen. I thanked Arabella for the application and wished him/her luck in the show.

I can’t remember who won the beauty contest; I just remember how elaborate their outfits were. I couldn’t get over how nice they actually looked. My own show, the fashion show went well also. I remember being on the runway in a cloud of smoke, with Justin Timberlake bringing sexy back, and a large anxious crowd watching my every move. I practically ran off the stage when my turn was up. I could feel the eyes on me pointing me out as the non-professional.

When the show was over, I put my black dress back on that I came in, took one more look around the dressing room, and went out into the bar with my crazy hair and makeup still in tact. I was headed straight for the door, when a woman at the bar looked me up and down and gave me a head nod. I smiled brightly and made my way to the door.

None of the other fashion shows I participated compared to that one. It still stands as one of my favorite memories from college.

I can tell my grandchildren one day about the time I unpretentiously agreed to do a runway show for a friend who may or may not have mentioned that the show was being held at a gay bar on drag queen pageant night, allowing me to have my hair and makeup done by a man wearing a bra and fake boobs, all while being surrounded by beautiful professional models.