Never in my life did I think I was going to be in front of an audience with nothing covering my torso but reflective body tape and glitter, but hey, YOLO am I right?
For this year's Sacramento Fashion Week "Fashion in the City," I had the opportunity to walk for designer Olivia Armstead and her collection of body tape art (or tapestry), Olivia's Lush. Her vision for this collection was to showcase her tapestry skills by taping different designs on her models using the colors Black, Gold, and Silver. Her collection gave off futuristic vibes to showcase how body taping could very well be the future of fashion (if it isn't already). I had an amazing time working with her and her team. They made me feel comfortable and confident. And I would gladly work with her again anytime. But onto what I really wanted to share and discuss with you, where did I find the confidence to do something so risqué and how do I feel now having done it?
At the casting when she initially asked me if I was comfortable being body-taped I said yes, but with hesitation because I wasn't entirely sure what I was getting myself into. When I got home and did my research, I came across Joel Alvarez and the Black Tape Project.
Immediately I thought, oh sh*t. This is really cool but also that is a lot of skin showing. When I showed my parents they too were a bit uneasy at the amount of skin showing, but they knew that as long as I felt okay doing this, they would be supportive. So in my head I was like okay I can do this. I just need to hit the gym and try to get myself back in shape as best I can before the show.
About 2 weeks before the show, Olivia set up a meet and greet at which she introduced herself and her work. She went over her vision for the collection and the logistics of how hair, makeup, and the taping process would work. She opened the floor up for questions and gave the models a chance to reconsider if they were really okay with this. But after being told that I would be wearing some sort of mini skirt or shorts and that only my top half would be "exposed," I felt comfortable enough to go through with it. (It would just be like swimwear, except I wouldn't be able to actually go swimming lol). After the introductions, she started assigning models their colors and having them fit the bottom pieces and shoes. As models started changing and trying stuff on, I could feel the tension in the room lessening as models started joking around and laughing, complimenting each other on how good someone's body looked or how well the accessories matched a model's personality and fierceness. The group started to become more comfortable with each other and that helped ease the nerves everyone was feeling about showing so much skin.
As the show was approaching and after getting a better idea of what I was going to (and not going to) be wearing, I continued to stick to my workout routine to try and get myself in the best shape as possible for the show. If I was going to be showing off so much of my body I wanted to make sure I was the most confident I could be.
Show day came around and we met up at our venue for our hair, makeup, and taping appointments. When I got there, I went into hair and makeup first and then waited my turn for my taping appointment. Side note: I think the fact I was wearing a bob cut wig really helped me channel more confidence because it made me feel like I had an alter ego and she was the one modeling for the show. When it was my turn to be taped, I went behind the screen already wearing the mini skirt, and took my shirt off. I was totally exposed but surprisingly, I didn't feel as self-conscious as I thought I would. Olivia double checked that I was comfortable then started to get to work. In the corner of the screen she had the design sketched out and labeled on paper for reference. She sprayed me with sticky body spray and started sticking pre-cut pieces of body tape on me. She kept conversation which helped in keeping me comfortable. And in about 30-45 minutes I was all taped up and covered in glitter. I was anxious to see what I looked like and when I looked in the mirror I immediately thought, hell yea! I look so cool! Seeing the finished product was awesome especially because I had no idea what the actual design was going to look like until it was done. The design was something I've never seen before and it was something so cool and unique. Then I thought, this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Who else do you know has the chance to do this? No one.
When everyone was all taped up and ready for the show, I could really feel the energy and the excitement in the room. The music was blasting. Everyone was taking pictures and getting ready for the show. As soon as we hit the runway, we blew the audience away with the collection and our confidence. Any insecurity I had about my body melted away as I focused on walking on beat with the music and letting myself do what I do best.
Being body taped and walking the runway was such an adventurous and thrilling experience. Feeling the fierceness and the confidence of my fellow models really helped me channel my own confidence in doing something so out of my comfort zone. But I find that I grow the most when I'm uncomfortable and out of my comfort zone. Looking back on it now and seeing the pictures and videos, you couldn't tell at all if I had any sort of insecurity. Showing off this much skin was something that makes most people nervous, but I'm really grateful for the opportunity to work with Olivia because she sparked a confidence in us all. She made a collection that accented each model's body and curves in such a way that I was in awe looking at the design on myself. She was able to enhance my natural curves in the best way possible, and I was able to find the beauty in my body that she recognized at the casting.
Special thanks to Olivia Armstead, Sacramento Fashion Week & DMR productions for the opportunity to grace the SACFW runway once again and for putting on a great show. For more pictures and details about this show, click here.
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