About a week ago, last Sunday, I got to play Princess for a day. I also walked my first runway.
A few days before the show, I saw a post in a local Facebook group from a bridal gown company, Modern Affinity Bridal, posted a casting call for models to participate in a runway walk at a local bridal event taking place at the George H. Brown Convention Center in Downtown Houston. Not thinking much about it, and not considering that I’d be casted, I decided to tell the company that I was interested.
I don’t consider myself as a model, but I do consider modeling as one of my hobbies. Simply put, I just enjoy being in front of the camera. Some call it vanity. I call it a memorializing my beauty while I still have it. I’ve always been like this. Even before social media was a thing, I would spend my time after school with my tiny self-timer Canon Powershot, posing my school outfit of the day. Maybe it’s because I grew up on Disney Channel and Nickolodean and various teen magazines, but I was definitely big on 00s style culture. I’ll upload those pics another day when I’m feeling braver.
Anyways, to my surprise, the bridal company was interested in casting me for their runway show, and I was quite excited and honored. The bridal company is Modern Affinity Bridal, and they focus on inclusive bridal wear, which explains why they were open to my average height (5’4″). That said, in fear that my lack of experience would dispose me of this opportunity, I didn’t disclose to the company that I had never walked a runway show before. In fact, on the day of the runway show, I discovered that, indeed, I was the only model of my group that didn’t have any runway experience!
It was a rather hectic day, but everything eventually played out smoothly. My mom attended the show with me, and thank god she was able to drive me because I was able to get out of the car at the Convention drop off area, while she went to look for parking. I arrived at the Convention Center just in time, a little after 12pm, and the show was to start at 12:35p. Because I didn’t have a ticket to get in, I stood outside the Convention Center main room, waiting for a person from the company I was modeling for to let me in as a model. When we met up, and the doorman let us in, I realized inside the convention that there were thousands of people. Omicron, who? But it didn’t even occur to me at the moment that I’d be walking for first runway ever in front of so many people.
I had just 30 minutes to prepare, and it almost felt like I was backstage before a dance recital again. Therefore, I was used to the backstage to stage transition. On top of that, the bridal stylist had already prepared the gowns of my size beforehand, which made things go more smoothly.
It was not am extremely high-end fashion show, and thank goodness for that, because I think I would’ve been frightened to walk my first runway walk in front of more exclusive designers.
That being said, I did start to get a bit nervous as the show approached. With minutes to spare before the curtains dropped, I called my mom, only to find out that she still hasn’t arrived to the audience, which wouldn’t have been a big deal, but it would’ve been nice to share my first runway experience with my mom.
On top of that, I only found out that I was to walk in front of hundreds of people the moment I stepped onto the catwalk. I signed up for this thing thinking it’d be an intimate show, but it was larger than expected. Surprisingly, I found it was easier to walk in front of hundreds of people than just a handful because in front of hundreds, the audience size just “dwindles” into a mass, and it’s easier to tune them out. Along with that and the spotlight, the music, it was not hard to just walk the walk and pretend no one’s watching. I think my decades worth of performing experience as a dancer since age 5 also helped tons as well. Truly, if I wasn’t a dancer, I don’t think I would’ve been able to walk my first runway so confidently.
Thus, for my first catwalk, I’m happy to say that I did not get stage fright. I ended up modeling 3 bridal gowns, back to back, and the whole thing lasted only for 30 minutes, I think. You can watch clips from the show in my Instagram Reels, linked below.
Loading ...Like I said, I was the only model who didn’t have previous runway experience, but everyone from the stylists, runway directors, designers, to even fellow models were all so kind and encouraging! They made me feel like I did a good job, and fortunately, I think I did okay as well. Honestly, I’m just glad that I did not fall flat on my feet.
It truly was a confident boost to walk the runway that day. I just left the runway feeling so proud of myself for walking, without fear, in front of hundreds of people. What’s more, I truly felt comfortable in my skin to represent an inclusive brand. Even more so when the stylists of Modern Affinity said how I was the “perfect size,” and that I was the only one whose dress didn’t need any adjusting.
To go off a slight tangent here, and not to sound vain, I think people with my body type needs more representation in media. At 5’4″, I have an average height and an average build. I am not too thin, not too big. My looks aren’t incredibly glamorous, but I’m not too terribly plain either, at least I don’t think I am. That’s why I felt so proud to model for Modern Affinity Bridal because of the brand’s push to include more inclusive, regular-type people in their image. I hope more and more brands continue to include inclusive models and sizing in the future. Right now, as the industry stands, it is challenging for someone like me to model because Ia m not short enough to be petite, and I am not big enough to be plus size.
Right now, as the industry stands, it is challenging for someone like me to model because I am not short enough to be petite, and I am not big enough to be plus size.
Ironically, when most women shop online, most of them look like me: 5’4″, size S/M. We do not need to see how the clothes we want to purchase looks like on a 5’10” model. Personally, I’d rather see what the clothes we buy look like on someone of my height and stature.
Anyways, below are some photos of the 3rd gown I modeled, taken after my walk. I really felt like a Princess for a moment while taking these photos.
Below is one of the models I connected with. She goes by Shmoopie, and she’s booked NYFW jobs! I was so in awe by all the models, who actually work as models, either full time or on the side. We also happened to be wearing unintentionally matching outfits that day too.
I’m especially grateful that my mom was there to cheer me on and witness my first runway walk. It was a very special day for the both of us. Hopefully one day not too far from today, she will witness me walking down the aisle for real.
After my walk, I was able to enjoy the event as a regular attendee because I got into the event as model, and therefore I got in for free. I honestly, before the show, did not know what event I was walking for, what even the event’s name was until after I’d walked the show. But I later found out that it was called “The Bridal Extravaganza.” As the name implies, it’s basically an event for the newly engaged woman.
There were lots of free goodies and free food, and all I had to do to blend in with everyone and pretend I hadn’t just walked for the show was let the vendors assume that I was a bride-to-be. Every form that I filled out to get my free stuff, I selected May 31, 2023 as my wedding date. “Manifesting” is what I call it, but really, I just wanted a free ribbon hair tie.
After the event, I went back home to watch the videos my mom had helped record of me (linked above). As I said, I didn’t get stage fright during the show, but when I watched back on the videos, I started to get embarrassed. I was thinking: What was being I so confident for? I look ridiculous. Thankfully, I had friends and family who mostly encouraged me, saying I did a good job, so I felt a little better. I’m just glad that I conquered something I’d always wanted to do.
Will I walk the runway again? Yes, and I hope I get the chance.
