I participated in the Junior League of Dallas’ Inaugural Rock the Runway charity benefit recently as one of the celeb models (sorry, I’m hardly a celeb but that’s what they called us) and got a taste of what it’s like for runway models. First of all, it’s not glamorous AT ALL. Besides getting stabbed in my scalp and feeling like half my hair was ripped out from the roots, I was shoved and fell backstage RIGHT before I was to go on the runway (thank god it was BACKstage and not ON the stage!). I fell wearing a dress made of 25 pounds of paper and my knee is still black and blue and swollen. But back to the hair torture; the designer, the talented Oscar Fierro, insisted on wrapping a magazine cover on the top of my head so I’d resemble a high rise building (the inspiration of his dress). This proved to be a difficult feat even for the very capable hair team from Osgood O’Neil salon. The team (it took 4 hair stylists to do my hair) had to brush my hair into a long braid on top of my head, yes that part was easy. Then they had to make sure it stood straight up– so they stuck a chopstick (a very pointy one) straight down the center and it was supported by nothing but my tender scalp. After screaming in pain for 5 minutes, they put four bobby pins under the chopstick to provide a barrier for me. When they were able to wrap the magazine cover around my braid, they added long extensions to the end of my hair. Thank god I did my own make up at home because by the time they were finished there was only time for a quick dusting of powder and touch of bright red lipstick. I have to say, the end result was SO worth the pain! I looked like something out of an avant garde magazine and I still can’t believe that is me up there. Jump to see how they achieved the above look!
By the end of my turn on the runway, my hair started falling from all the whipping around. Look at this dress! The back of it is as incredible as the front. Let me tell you, it was 25 pounds of paper alone, probably another 25 pounds in fabric and FOUR petticoats I had to wear wrapped around my waist as poufs.
Runway photos courtesy of Ninistyle
This was the easy part- getting my hair up in a ponytail to braid.
Don’t let my smile fool you. I was in major pain right here. The sharp chopstick pin was stabbing me in the head, it was used to keep the ponytail upright.
Just so you can see this crazy hair up close. All the bobby pins were stuck in there as a barrier so chopstick doesn’t stab me in the brain.
Go ahead, LAUGH. Call me Tina Lou Who from Whoville or whatever else you want. I was the freak show of the night. People were stopping me to ask for photos and I obliged willingly like bozo the clown. It was fun though, but I won’t be repeating this hair, ever. I still have a headache!
It did look amazing! You did a grand job on your own make-up as well. Where did you get the shoes?
FIERCE!
YOU LOOK HOT!!! Gay Man’s WET DREAM!!!!
Gee.. thats a lot of work to do!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing and remarkable, I won’t forget this piece anyway,