Hi! My name is Jack Berry, and I am so excited to write about my involvement as a model in the Spring/Summer show of Kansas City Fashion Week 2024. I was given the opportunity to go to an open casting call around the end of November. They had me walk, take my measurements, and then grabbed a roster photo for the coordinators. It was recommended for models to wear tight fitting clothes with mute colors so the castors could see exactly how their body moves. Right before our school's winter break, I received an email telling me that I have been selected as a model in this year's roster. It came to a shock as I have only been modeling since the beginning of august and was weary of not making it. But I prevailed.
Once selected they put models into a roster and each designer for that week will pick you for the collection they are constructing. At maximum, you can be selected for two. I was given the best opportunity to walk for Alexia King on opening night and Hide Society for the finale night. It was Alexia's first time being a designer and she chose the idea of resilience for her collection.
She took heavy inspiration from the global superstar Taylor Swifts' album, Reputation. The garments were sewn with colors of green, red, white, and black. My specific garment was a newspaper print corset top with a 70's kiss of black sequence bell bottoms. On Saturday, the Hide Society went down south with a western twang on mixing distinct types of textiles woven from fur and fittingly, hide. This designer models her looks based on the different bags she hand sews for the collection. My look entailed maroon chaps, with bell bottom jeans underneath and a vest made specifically for the typical cowboy. Both designers had a keen eye for what they had in store and executed it so well.
The backstage environment was even better. Call time is about 7 hours before which gives the models time for hair, makeup, photoshoots, rehearsal, and last-minute changes before the event starts. The people you meet are amazing as well. Each person has individual stories on the industry and how it has affected their lives. I also was given useful tips and dos and don'ts as I look forward to signing up for an agency in the upcoming months. If you have the ability attend KCFW in the fall I would HIGHLY recommend!
Written by Jack Berry
Photos from Jack Berry
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