This year's Kansas City Fashion Week was off the charts!!! KCFW celebrated its 14th season fashion show. Each year KCFW features local, national, and international designers. This fabulous show gives designers, makeup artist, hair stylist, models, and photographers the opportunity to collaborate and network together. KCFW is a long standing staple for Kansas City fashion. KC has produced a lot of big name models like Ashley Graham. Some say it is the fashion capital of the mid-west.
Every year KCFW brings out the fashion professionals and fashionistas of Kansas City. This year's spotlight designer was Rachel Roy. Rachel Roy uses her platform to empower women and cultivate change in the world through a language of style.
That also helps women to develop their own voice, take risks, and design the life they wish to live. Roy's designs are inspired by life experiences.
Watching Roy's runway collection was definitely inspiring. Each model walked the runway with fierce confidence. You can tell that the vibe of her showcase was based off of fearless strong women, making moves.
As you may know during fashion week there is an event every day! This year KCFW kicked things off by hosting its annual garden party. KCFW provided delicious finger foods with endless mimosas. Yes, please!
This year's entertainment was performed by Grammy Award Winner, Brian Kennedy.
As the week continued so did the excitement. KCFW started off strong with showcasing designers like H.Art Studios, Maang By Yasi Fayal, Art + Texture, Venn By Veron, and Rissa's Artistic Design.
My favorite designer of the week goes to HER BY GEORGINA HERRERA. Georgina debuted her jewelry designs during the finale show of KCFW. Let me just say, WOW! Her love for design and art showed on the runway.
Each piece demanded your attention and envy. As the models strut down the runway your eyes went straight to the jewelry. Beautiful gold necklaces with a touch of color, big but subtle gold hoops, and crystal rings to match. I was in heaven.
I also loved the makeup looks she selected for her models. Each model was sporting a beautiful contoured and bronzed look. To shop and see more from Georgina click here.
"The connection between love, art, and tradition is unbreakable and determines who we are." -Georgina Herrera.
As most of you know this year I decided to participate as a model. I have been modeling for about 2 years now. But I got my start as a child in the pageant world. So I know all about this genre. When I made the decision to walk as a model instead of participating as a makeup artist, I knew it would be different and scary. But in a good way. I went to the casting call and made the model roster. Shortly after making the roster I was picked up by a designer. The designer that selected me was Naava Swim, Justin Houpe.
When I found out it was Naava Swim that selected me I was so excited. I absolutely love and admire Justin. His love for fashion and his models are one in a million. I love the message that Naava Swim sends to its audience and customers. Naava in Hebrew means beautiful.
After the initial shock of being selected wore off I realized, oh sh*t, I'm walking in KCFW in a SWIMSUIT 😬 Uhhhh, yeah, come again? I told myself that no matter how nervous I was that I was going to represent for all curvy women. Yes, the white lights are probably going to be unflattering, yes your stretch marks will show but I will have confidence and slay that runway.
During rehearsals the designer gave me full creative control on the runway. Seeing as I was walking down the runway with another plus model. Since we were the only 2 plus models walking that night, we wanted to send a message. A message saying that you don't need a cover up, you are beautiful just the way you are. The other plus model and I decided to hold hands on the runway. To show women empowerment, solidarity, and change on the runway.
My first debut as a plus model for KCFW was incredible and amazing. I look forward to having this same experience next season.
Special thanks to:
Kansas City Fashion Week
KCFW Media Team
KC Fashion Council
Naava Swim
Justin Houpe
Friends & Family
For full YouTube vlog video click pic!!!
