Put a Bow on it: Red Dress 2016

Wow, what a weekend! (last weekend) I'm still trying to catch up on my sleep. The show itself started just around my new mommy bed time so I was up "late" lol but totally worth it! I had such a great time and couldn't have asked for a more fabulous model to bring my design to life!
I'm always secretive about my design each year. I have a good reason though; I am always changing my mind and like I mentioned in a previous post, as soon as I show someone my idea I immediately feel like I need to change it. I guess maybe I like to have a little surprise in what I'm doing and feel it's not fun if people already know what it looks like!
Like every year it's a hurry up and wait sort of deal. We left our house around 2:30...but wanted to leave around 1:30. It was a beautiful day for travel so we took the more scenic route and enjoyed the beautiful view that is New Brunswick. We arrived at the Casino just 10 min before I needed to be there. Surprisingly I wasn't a stress ball this year!
Rehearsal started at 5 and the show itself 8 with doors opening at 7. Lots of running back and forth for me with a little one who needs to be fed.
It was so fun to dress up for the first time in a while! And have a glass of wine :)
Backstage was hurry up and wait just like every year. This year however, we got a visitor. Alan Doyle, the headliner, popped in to say hello to the designers and models! What a nice surprise. No year that I recall, has the headliner done so. We all posed with him and said hello. As I stood next to him for my photo he said "Hi, I'm Alan." And me being awkward lol just smiled and said "Hi, I'm Adrienne". At least I said something...when I posed with Jeanne Beker I didn't say a word...probably because I was in awe of sitting next to someone I would watch every week on Fashion Television (miss that show!).

Waiting backstage as the first part of the show wraps up before the runway portion is always a bit of a nerve fest. I try to stay excited and happy by dancing in my place to the music of the designers in front of me and remind myself that it's only for about a minute that I am out there with my model. My model, Marilyn, rocked the runway! In rehearsal she was not as energetic (although she was) as she was during the show. She was awesome! And according to my sister, my model was the first to get a standing ovation and in her opinion, the best one that strutted her stuff. Well, besides the last model, which happens to be my models sweet little grand daughter, Sofia. She brought down the house, walking out to her favourite song "Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift. What a little rockstar she was. Backstage she was encouraging her grandmother and giving her thumbs up. I just loved her as did everyone.

After the runway portion of the show, it was time for Alan Doyle and the Beautiful Gypsies. Unfortunately I did not stay for the show. My little guy was screaming for him mama and so I stayed in with him. But lets be real...I was exhausted! What a night, what a wonderful, beautiful night.

This years show was a great experience for me. Yes, it was challenging but it showed me that I can do it if I believe in myself and have the right motivation. Plus, my little guy is awesome and often times watched me as I sewed. I love him, he makes my heart happy.

Here are a few photos from the show. The first one was taken by DeVito Photography and the rest are by my sister, Patti :)