Fashion Show for All Abilities.
Rachel Weingarten is amazing. She is a hard working woman. This was the third year she has put on this show. It all started with a request from Chantel Brown, a former model, who now is wheel chair bound wanted to be in a fashion show. Rachel and the UW-Madison Waisman Center made that simple request a reality.
Not only was it a dream come true for Chantel and may others in the show, it was a dream come true for the people working to produce the event. I was so blown away when the key note speaker (former Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin, Jennifer Addis) said one of the main things she worked to do independently after her accident was to put her makeup on by herself. I have been wanting to start classes for adults with disabilities and/or their caregivers on beauty instruction. When Jennifer said that, it took the last bit of doubt I had about my idea. I am so passionate that EVERYONE knows themselves as beautiful from the inside out. I know that it is important! I am so excited to begin working with Rachel to make my dream a reality.
My new friend Ms. Alice Ezrow, one of the sweetest and coolest chicks I know, helped me do hair and makeup for the show. Visit Alice here
We were the independent artists. There were a couple other salons doing hair. Laura from Onusara was there, it was so great to finally meet her. We have talked on the phone a ton but had never met.
Dale, Alice's assistant, and our photographer was with us too. At about 6pm, a half hour before the show, it got crazy. For two and a half hours before we were working a steady pace, but at 6pm it was like turbo makeup. We did it. They looked great, but more importantly they felt great.
I was able to talk with some of the most beautiful human beings on the planet. Writing about how much they touched me doesn't even come close to the experience.
The show was great. Some of the models really worked that runway! Whether they walked with assistance, by themselves, or rolled in a wheelchair...it was clear they were happy and confident in who they are and how they looked. It was an absolute blessing to be a part of that.
Not only was it a dream come true for Chantel and may others in the show, it was a dream come true for the people working to produce the event. I was so blown away when the key note speaker (former Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin, Jennifer Addis) said one of the main things she worked to do independently after her accident was to put her makeup on by herself. I have been wanting to start classes for adults with disabilities and/or their caregivers on beauty instruction. When Jennifer said that, it took the last bit of doubt I had about my idea. I am so passionate that EVERYONE knows themselves as beautiful from the inside out. I know that it is important! I am so excited to begin working with Rachel to make my dream a reality.
My new friend Ms. Alice Ezrow, one of the sweetest and coolest chicks I know, helped me do hair and makeup for the show. Visit Alice here
We were the independent artists. There were a couple other salons doing hair. Laura from Onusara was there, it was so great to finally meet her. We have talked on the phone a ton but had never met.
Dale, Alice's assistant, and our photographer was with us too. At about 6pm, a half hour before the show, it got crazy. For two and a half hours before we were working a steady pace, but at 6pm it was like turbo makeup. We did it. They looked great, but more importantly they felt great.
I was able to talk with some of the most beautiful human beings on the planet. Writing about how much they touched me doesn't even come close to the experience.
The show was great. Some of the models really worked that runway! Whether they walked with assistance, by themselves, or rolled in a wheelchair...it was clear they were happy and confident in who they are and how they looked. It was an absolute blessing to be a part of that.
you did an amazing thing for people, rosalee. i'm so glad it was a touching experience for you. i volunteer for the event each year and i think of it as more of a gift to me than for the models. viva wi fashion week!
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