The Fashion Show put on at Iowa State is one of the largest student-run fashion shows in the country. Like any production, there is more that goes on behind the scenes than the audience would ever know.
Watching the Victoria Secret Fashion Show, one can't help but want to live the life of the models. However, this past weekend I learned (kind of) what is was like to be a “super-model". (Emphasis on the 'kind of'.)
What made the experience more than fabulous was the fact that I got close with my fellow students who were models and working in the show. On top of that, I got to wear gorgeous garments that rival anything seen at NY Fashion Week. There was this real sense of team-work and friendship back-stage that made me so happy I got to experience this.
Lights, Catwalk, Go:
We had rehearsals starting Tuesday during the week of the show that lasted until quite late at night, but in reality we had Sunday night choreography rehearsals months ahead of time.
We all are college students, so trying to to find the time for exams and homework was a slight struggle, but so worth it.
The planning of the show had to go on without a hitch. All we could do as models was get changed in a timely fashion, walk to our side of the stage and wait for the one word that told us it was our time, “Go."
And then we were faced with bright lights, an even shinier runway and the applause of the very awesome audience.
Walk a mile in these high heels:
The show was quite long due to all the amazing outfits and collections, but in reality we were standing in heels much much longer than that. I am by no means complaining, because it was a great experience. But, I have real empathy for all the professional runway models out there.
Next time I'll just work out in my high heels and maybe I'll be a little more prepared?
I, of course, in true Giselle fashion hurt my ankle the week of the show. The icing I had to do on my feet when I got home at night was only a slight pain compared to how fun it was when I wore the high heels on the runway.
Talking bodies:
Sometimes I think we forget that we are not just our bodies, even when we are putting clothes on our bodies to model. Our bodies aren't everything, even when it comes to modeling. There is so much more behind you or behind anyone than just a body.
With as much down time as we had on the day of show, some of us girls got to know each other quite well and we had deep talks about our bodies and how we view them.
Everyone comes in all different shapes and sizes and we should embrace that. We are not a one-size-fits all society, so why do we think our bodies should be? I believe we shouldn't be afraid to talk about our bodies, because in reality that girl you are getting changed next to you has the same concerns about hers as yours. That girl who is getting changed next to you doesn't like the little dimples on her butt or the stretch marks on her hips either and guess what? We ALL have them. (99% of us at least.)
But, we are also all beautiful in our own way. Embrace that! This experience has taught me to own who I am.
In the end, after all the funny pictures taken in the bathroom during down time, to all the Netflix watched when we weren't practicing, to the inside jokes that came about during the whole process I am so grateful for everyone involved. My tiny part in a grander production made me feel at home here, and I know I will always remember this experience as one of my best at Iowa State.
