Drumroll PLEASE!

These wouldn't have all been my final picks but you know how the game goes...edit edit edit!
The Look of The Montalban Shoot!

winner at a losing game

"To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong"


I practiced this quote today before I even knew it was a quote. So must 'we' also be psychic?
Don't worry if you're not, I don't believe in those guys.

Today I styled on the set of "The Look of The Montalban" photoshoot at NSW's Hollywood Home,

THE RICARDO MONTALBAN THEATER

Re-read that if you forgot to say it in a booming Latino accent.

I was given the opportunity to fully take on the styling responsibilities and see each look through from concept to execution. 

I now apologize for ever underestimating the true work that goes in to an entire photo shoot. 

Conceptualizing, being tasteful with available product, staying true to the brand, creating a story through color, inspiring, utilizing ugly things, innovating, "making it work"... it really was the real deal! I spent all day pulling, steaming, re-working, not eating (and this is huge for me as I eat 4 lunches per day minimum with a snack in between), dressing, undressing, tucking and tweaking all while keeping 3 models looking good, happy and pushing through 10 complete looks before the run of show ran out. 

 

Nailed it? I sure hope so. 

No, I take that back...Nailed it. 

(I'm working on accepting success. Big props do go to NWM's stylist, Samantha Jo Alanzo, for working with and inspiring me back in Oct.)

I went into the day really excited to see my ideas come to life but extremely self conscious about what Nike would think about the looks I created ("what the heck is she thinking, THOSE socks? She's crazy, what's she even doing here? Why couldn't we book a real stylist again?"). But then I got stuck on that word...

create

How can fabulous things come to be without going out on a wacky little limb and stretching it a bit? Even coming out of your own comfort zone to what is safe for not just those around you but for you so you feel safe for those around you (that sentence doesn't even make sense but you know?!). So they might laugh and not get it, at least you gots flava. Nobody goes for vanilla when they're trying to party.

Long, fabulous fun story short, I discovered (well re-discovered) how in love I am with this realm. Be it the creating, the responsibility, the dri-fit, or the way the girls lit up when they tried on the new Nike Free Twist...or maybe just the culmination of it all, but whatever it was I want more. 

During a time that has, well, frankly blown a fat one, I've found an energy store. I've found God reaching down to me through all the things that are driving me to despise this move and wonder how I'm ever going to climb out of the hole I've created, and give me a source of excitement and purpose. Of renewed motivation and a direction to focus my attentions (reads: away from the extremely negative). 

PLUS the fact He just provided me with a HUGE experience that many dream about (myself included if I ever even dared dream such a thing). 

This is what my great friends Tatiana and Joe talk about day in and day out. Dreaming Impossible! Two years ago in FIDM's styling class I rolled my eyes at fashion styling. I was probably only defending my dreams from being crushed by not even letting them be dreamt. Flippin look at me now (sing it C.Brown).

I don't know that this is necessarily my ultimate career goal or where God wants me (I'd love to think no seeing as I still have no walls or heat in my apartment and the toilet won't stop flushing itself) but I do know that the 'ness of today is in fact where I belong. When you run on caffeine all day with no break, your back hurts, and you still can't wait to get after it again in the morning...you've found it.