Sept 25th-Sept 30th - Rochester Fashion Week!

Tuesday morning I flew home to Rochester for Fashion Week! My Mom picked me up from the airport and we went to Pelican's Nest for a nice lunch on the water.

Then I had to run around to fittings because I tried to schedule as many as I could in one day. My first fitting was at Panache where the owner Joan who I have worked with for a photo shoot before had set aside a cool dress and boots with a fun vintage hat and coat for me.

My next fitting was at Suzanne's where I tried on a tight grey silk dress and a black belted dress with a shawl. Afterwards I went to Joeval's Formalwear where I fell in love with the Sherri Hill dress they had me try on. I put it on and felt amazing!

Then I went to 2 Chic Boutique and tried on a high fashion outfit that I did not end up wearing in the show but I wore a pretty dress with a long coat. The next fitting was for Andrea Geer who makes interesting knitted pieces and I really liked my outfit. Last but not least I drove 40 minutes to my last fitting for Sojo Fashion. I tried on a beautiful handmade top and was all done with my fittings for the day!

It was dark and I was heading home when all of a sudden two deer ran in front of me! I tried to step on the brake but it was too late. I pulled over and was crying and really upset. I got out of the car and there were no deer in sight. A neighbor who heard the accident (and probably me crying too) came out to help and tried to make me feel better by telling me that deer are very strong and from the looks of it he might not have gotten hurt.. I hope this is true! The man also checked to make sure that the car was okay to drive since it was dented which I didn't even think about. My parents and everyone were just glad that I was okay and they made me feel better.

The next day I had a fitting at Paislee Boutique that our friend Fatima owns so I was really excited to be modeling for her in the show! I tired on some cute things and we went with a coat that had a really cool hood. Then Mike and I headed to Eastview mall for my last fitting with Free People. The stylists there were so cool and had such cute ideas for outfits. I tried on the final outfit and loved it and wore it in the show. 

Thursday we had a great relaxing day at Mike's house with our friend Jorge from Peru. Friday was the first day of Rochester Fashion Week and I went to Scott Miller salon to get hair and makeup done. The look was a deep side-part with a teased low ponytail and simple makeup with red lips which was really cool. At the salon I saw my pictures for ads in the program for Scott Miller Salon & Spa and Mary Therese Friel, LLC modeling agency!

With makeup artist Sylvana

Mike and I ate lunch at Plum Garden Japanese restaurant and then I headed to the Armory to get ready for the first show! When I walked in I was shocked because I saw a big backdrop that had my picture on it for an ad for Scott Miller Salon & Spa!

My best friend Liz came to the show and came backstage beforehand and then met up with Mike to watch the show. Mike's parents gave my Mom and her friend Karen a couple of tickets that they had so they got to come too! For the show they had well-known DJ Cassidy and eight-year-old DJ Fulano playing the music, I did four looks and it went really well!

Photo Credit: Kris Murante

After the show I talked with my agent Mary Therese Friel and then Mike, his family, Liz and I went to Applebee's where I treated everyone to a late night dinner (against their will) as a thanks for everything they did for me.

The next morning I got up and went to the salon for hair and makeup for day two of Fashion Week! For this show I did four different looks again and the hair was down pin straight with a smokey eye.

With hair stylist Maria

I opened the show with this look

Backstage with Mike

After the show I went home and got to see my kitty Cookie Dough which was so nice. Sunday was the last show and the hair was wavy with eyeliner and blush for makeup. Rapper Lil Wes performed and it was an outdoor show but luckily I got to model a coat!

Rochester Fashion Week was a lot of fun, I was glad to be a part of this great event in my community and for a great cause! The shows raised over $100,000 for Center For Youth which provides shelter and counseling for teens in need. 

Afterwards I spent time at home and got ready to go back to the city!