Models of Diversity

“ Have you ever felt trepidation and exhilaration at the same time? I did in that very moment, but there was no time to waste, each model had to be assigned their attire so I started selecting.”

I’ll start this one with a little background info....M.O.D (Models Of Diversity) are a fantastic international charity based in London. They champion diversity within the fashion industry, celebrating and promoting the talents of the world’s ‘unconventional beauty' in disabled and able bodied models alike. I had the honour of styling a published multi brand editorial photoshoot for them back in March 2018 and after seeing their stylist's assistant casting on Facebook, I was very happy to put myself forward. This was a chance for me to support a brilliant cause, gain experience styling major high street brands, dressing well known celebrities and local legends for a live runway show,  in a shopping centre not far from where I myself grew up in London.

Definitely worth going for!

Thankfully I was successful, but nobody could have prepared any of the team for what (in my case) turned out to be a fortuitous turn of events. Preparing my styling kit essentials, ready for leaving my Manchester home a couple of days later, I received a call from the M.O.D founder informing me that due to a miscommunication between the head stylist and some of the brands and models, she would no longer be on board the show. In shock, I had little time to take it all in before I was presented with a choice...follow her through the exit door or take the reins as the show’s head stylist and creative director! After careful consideration, I decided to ‘step into my power' and help M.O.D prevent a complete cancellation of the whole event...we had less than 72 hours to pull it off! Feel the fear and do it anyway!

I rearranged my travel plans to leave a day earlier as there was a fitting taking place that would give me a vital chance to meet most of the models and team members prior to the show. It was also my first opportunity to positively position myself in the preparation process. As we all got better acquainted in the H.O.F (House Of Fraser) changing room, it dawned on me...there were over 100 high street and designer brands across 3 floors in this department store, and I had more than 75% of them to choose from. Have you ever felt trepidation and exhilaration at the same time? I did in that very moment, but there was no time to waste, each model had to be assigned their attire so I started selecting. A few hours later and with the models' outfits arranged, I had a quick debrief with the boss and the in store team, clothing and accessories were signed off and we were done for the day.

The following morning, after spending most of the night creating moodboards for the 15+ men, women and children I was responsible for dressing, I received a call outlining tasks for the day ahead. First up, pull pieces from Topshop’s flagship store in Oxford Circus. This again was a big deal for me...the amount of times I used to go there throughout my teens and dream about a massive shopping spree and here I was, using my personal shopping prowess to choose anything I wanted to have included in the show. I couldn’t wait to get started! I made calls to two young ladies who I’d previously worked with on a fashion show, to see if they wanted to bolster their experience through this event – extra helpful hands couldn’t hurt and as I was in a position to, I was happy to pay it forward and provide opportunity. “When you learn, teach. When you get, give.” – Maya Angelou

Walking through Topshop with my assistants, liaising with the in store PR and management teams and pulling pieces at will was a surreal feeling but step by step, we sourced the styles, contemplated, communicated and got the job done. There was just enough time to get a bite to eat with the girls before I sent them home for the day and looking like ‘ bags r us ' carrying £100s worth of stock, I (very glamorously) took the tube and train to the centre where the show was to be held.

Upon arrival, I quickly conversed with the H.O.F personal stylist and with only 30 minutes until the store and shopping centre were due to close, not content with the number of options I already had for them, I grabbed some more garments for the celebs. It was the night before the show, better to have too many options than not enough right? In what seemed to be a click of a finger, that was it! Doors closed, we did all we could.

Show day! Once all the hair and make up teams, models and their families had arrived, I gave a quick briefing in the backstage area, taking time to thank everybody for the support ahead of a long day as I knew I’d be running around like a blue ass fly between them, the stores, collecting accessories and the green room where our presenters and special guests were waiting. I burned some serious calories going back and forth between everyone as there were 3 separate shows with different collections and line-ups, each with their respective responsibilities but more importantly, we raised money and awareness for Models Of Diversity and even though the odds were stacked against us, everyone ended the day happy and we succeeded in spreading the simple yet powerful message, fashion is for all!