Before I knew it, it was time for the show to start. I put on my first look of the night, and two of my closest friends, Regina and Lindsay, met me backstage to give me some final encouraging words. "Mama Jeannie," as we affectionately started calling her, checked me for last looks, and I lined up with the rest of the models from my group. Slaght was waiting for me, and we headed to the runway, climbed two steps, and I walked over and hit my first pose of the night. It felt so exhilarating to get through that first walk of the night without stumbling or looking stiff. I felt so accomplished because this isn't normal for me. I have so much appreciation for runway models because I now understand all that goes into it.
The rest of the night was full of magic. We rushed in and out of looks all while changing out of shoes and different accessories. I can't go without mentioning some of my favorite looks of the night. Robert E. Knight, a New York-based designer, created two outfits I loved: a button-up denim shirt with layered ruffles and silk graffiti-print capped sleeves as well as a long emerald-green bias-cut stretch gown with a crystallized strap and an open back, which I wore for the finale.
