About another 20 minutes stood between me and the moment I would be in the chair next to her. Alessandra Ambrosio, Victoria’s Secret model was propped up on a black director’s chair, with bright lights facing her and the large promo ad behind her. The ad team, or maybe PR team was standing across from her behind the cameras. I kept reassuring myself with things like “you’ve worked with models for years, this isn’t anything new, models are in reality down to earth, you work in this industry, and blah blah blah.” In fact I still work with models today, everyday, except now-a-days they’re 5-14 year old girls. Totally different worlds! And it was true, I had, prior to this moment, worked with several fashion models, whether it was for print, ecommerce, even runway. Maybe it was the lights, or the camera, especially knowing I would be in the path of them this time instead of just the model.
My nerves had been diminished in the time where I began recalling all of my past experiences in the industry, and I found myself finally walking up to be seated next to her.
The night before, I kept pondering whether I would make this event or not. I had garment samples that I needed to pick up and competitor size runs that needed returned. It would be a squeeze but I would make it work. I began with an illustration of Alessandra as a head shot. Something along the lines of a more realistic quality, except the end result did not look like her at all. I had anticipated that from the beginning but thought I would give it a shot anyway, when that failed I easily abandoned that sketch and returned to my true stylization of illustrating. I chose a photo of her from a promo event in Chicago. Once completed I pulled it back at arms length to the fullest and said to myself, well I did it, so now I can’t NOT give it to her. I tucked it away in my work tote.
Her gaze lingered upon it as I situated myself in the seat next to her, and she asked if I had drawn that. I told her yes and she returned with “It’s gorgeous.” my nerves suddenly came back and before I could refrain from stupid comments I responded with “You’re gorgeous!” -_- Thankfully enough, she seemed to have such a busy day that it was most likely she would never remember the conversation that took place, including my slightly weird comment. She continued on with “I like your style,” to which of course I flushed. Who knows who else she could have said that to, but I don’t care, at that moment I was the only one in that chair so I pushed away any thought that the compliment may have been rehearsed.
It was a brief moment and I finally bid her an enjoyable rest of her afternoon. She had to move on to a promo event and I myself had to tend to my original objective, which was to pick up missing garment samples.
When I had finally arrived back to my office, a bag full of clothing in the passenger’s seat, and a photo of the event in the inside of my planner, I sat back in my driver’s seat a moment and recollected on the last hour. It wasn’t finding a cure for cancer, or discovering life on mars, but all the same it was a memorable moment for myself. Mostly it brought on some favorite memories in fashion; NYFW in 2012 and 2014, Paris fashion week, assisting the BCBG shoots, creating my own photoshoot with BCBG, project runway shoot, all of it….not that I had forgotten about them, but I don’t think about them as much b/c I find myself to be consistently focused on my future.
Needless to say it made my day, and sent me into la la land the rest of the afternoon. It was worth the scurrying for samples and a coffee for lunch (on the go no time to eat).
“When opportunities aren’t there, then create your own.” -from me to you! ❤
The Fashion School Graduate 