What is it like to be an “It Girl”? Well, in this case, I am talking about being an “It Girl” for the iconic designer brand, Jovani. Jovani is not only a couture dress brand for A-list celebrities but for the everyday girl as well. From $10,000 couture gowns to $200 dresses, the Jovani brand has marketed itself to all audiences to make every girl feel like a princess in their designs.

What is a “Jovani It Girl”? Simple. Twice a year, Jovani holds a competition known as, The Jovani It Girl competition, which is a nationwide search. They select girls from the ages of 16-20, from all different ethnic backgrounds and looks. Their “It Girl” is supposed to embody the Jovani brand, which means that they can wear their dresses with confidence and elegance.

For this years season of the next “Jovani It Girl”, out of 10,000 applicants I was chosen to model with 24 other girls for Atlanta Fashion Week. That week is round 1 in the Jovani competition, where they get to see us wear their dresses and prove why we should be Jovani’s next “It Girl”.

The week consisted of walking runway for buyers all over the country, showing Jovani’s new 2019 prom collection and couture designs. Although it may seem glamorous, behind the scenes showed truly how hard we were all working that week. The days were long and we were walking for hours in 8-inch heels trying to sell Jovani dresses. However, that week in Atlanta was truly a once in a lifetime experience. The girls that I was modeling with were from all over the country with all very different backgrounds. From meeting Miss Alabama USA to Miss California teen USA, Jovani has given me friends all over the country that I still stay in touch with today, thanks to social media.

Before I knew it, the week was over and I was flying back home. After patiently waiting for 2 weeks, it was announced on their Instagram page that I had made it to next round in New York City with 9 other girls. I could not contain my excitement and I was so thrilled for the next round to start.

The week in New York City was very different than our week in Atlanta. Instead of walking for the buyers, we were modeling for their campaigns that will be featured in magazines, Jovani’s online website, and social media pages. That week was definitely one to remember, from getting my makeup and hair done every day by Miss Universe’s makeup and hair artists to shooting with top photographers, I truly was blessed.

The last day of the week had come and it was time for some big announcements. I was chosen as a Jovani It Girl Finalist, winning scholarship money and credit for a dress of my choice.

Being chosen to be an “It Girl” allowed me to see behind the scenes of the fashion industry as well as being in front of the camera. I will keep writing about the Jovani brand, as I regularly model for them in New York City.

You can help save Mother Nature while still looking fashionable.

 

High fashion is putting our world at a high risk of global warming. The fashion industry has been criticized for being one of the biggest contributors to America’s clothing crisis, which has caused pollution across the world. However, fashion’s latest trend is green and it intends on making recycling the future of fashion.

The manufacturing business has taken a toll on Mother Nature. The manufacturing part of the fashion industry has emitted greenhouse gases, making it the world’s number twolluter. It is predicted that Americans will throw away and dump more than 35 billion pounds of textiles. High Fashion brand, Burberry,  has contributed to America’s clothing crisis by burning almost $38 million of its stock. That number may be lowered if the fashion industry takes a stand and makes efforts in creating a greener tomorrow.

How is the fashion industry going to create a better and greener future you may ask, well it won’t be easy but by taking action one brand at a time, the industry may be able to fix their reputation. Eileen Fisher, a designer and brand for women’s clothing, has decided to take action in the “go green” movement. Her plan gives an incentive to her customers by allowing them to hand in their old clothes for a $5 gift card. They then plan to donate the clothes or put them on a different line known as, Renew, that is affordable for other customers to purchase.

What helps the fashion industry make these “go green” plans be put into action is those who wear their eco-friendly designs. At the Met Gala, actress Emma Watson walked down the red carpet in a Calvin Klein gown that was designed and created completely out of recycled plastic bottles. This brings attention to the impact fashion has on the green movement and how they can take part in spreading awareness of this issue.

As more and more brands join this green movement, I will be checking on other popular brand’s feelings and actions on this issue. I feel this topic matters and it is imperative because fashion is one of the biggest industries in the world. I believe as a generation we can focus on what we can do to ensure a greener tomorrow. Think about the next time you throw away an old sweater or shoes that are too small. Reach out to your local community about donating clothes to those in need or your local stores and ask if they would be willing to take those clothes, preventing them from being part of America’s clothing crisis.

I intend to keep writing about any new brands, labels, and especially high fashion brands that will take part in the green movement. Spreading awareness of this issue allows other brands and customers to help prevent global warming and create a greener future. It is clear and evident that the fashion industry is making green the new black.

In September and in February, all the top models, social influencers, designers, photographers take part in New York Fashion Week. What many do not know is how truly big New York Fashion Week is. The front row of all the shows is filled with A-List celebrities, which they are paid to attend and watch the show. This week is a time where designers present all their hard work and effort that they have done all year so far and show off their styles and designs for the spring and summer 2019 trends.

This past week, I was lucky enough to have been chosen to walk in New York Fashion Week. My first fashion week in NYC, was both an exciting and wonderful experience. The venue for my show was the beautiful, Roosevelt Hotel on 45th Street. After I checked in, I entered a room that was filled with designers, makeup and hair artists. Everyone in the room was brimming with energy, excitement, passion, and adrenaline for the upcoming shows that night. About two hours before the show, it was time to get hair and makeup done.

 

The designer I was walking for was French and from Montreal, Canada. Her designs were long, elegant, detailed gowns with an overall theme of baby pinks which was the perfect fit for the spring/summer 2019 show. As far as hair and makeup, she wanted an elaborate bun with darker toned makeup. After my makeup and hair was done, I got into my dress, which was a conglomeration of rosy and baby pinks in a layered tulle material.

 

 

The designer called all of the models to get into line and before I knew it, we were walking to the back of the runway, ready to start the show. The lights went on, the press was ready to take photos, and the audience was filled with excitement as the first girl went off on to the runway. I was second to last and as runway shows go, I was getting ready to go on before I knew it. As I realized it was my turn, I took a deep breath, listened closely to the “femme fatale” sound of Lana Del Rey’s voice being played, and got onto the runway. All the worrying and nerves in my body and mind had vanished and my ultimate focus was to bring the designer’s vision to life. After the finale walk, all the girls in our show hugged each other, we were all so proud of one another. My overall experience was one that was unforgettable, and I am so appreciative and honored to have been a part of it all.