I had no idea how tired I was until my head hit the pillow at 1:45am. The day's events that had been swimming through my head just moments before were now fading, as was I. I awoke startled by the phone ringing near my head. It was already morning, I felt as if I had been run over by a Mack truck. My head was pounding and I didn't want to open my eyes. This was the first hangover I had ever experienced that was not alcohol induced. The previous night was not a wild night of clubbing although it was at a club called Ohm in New York City. The night before was the first fashion show I had ever helped coordinate.

So the morning of July 10 begins at 6:45am for me. This is the big day. I can't wait to see everything come together. We begin transporting all the clothing, makeup, and accessories that have been donated from Catherine's apartment to Ohm. It takes three carloads to get it all there. Once inside Ohm the runway is being built upstairs and clothes start to fly downstairs. Picture this: 35 models sizes 12 to 18 looking through 120 outfits trying to find 4 that fit them perfectly. After the models find their 4 "looks" they are written down and the models get into makeup. The show order still needs to be pounded out. Once that is finished the models are given their order and it is almost 7pm believe it or not. The show is about to begin. The "backstage" area, which is really the basement of the club, is wall to wall people. There are camera crews all over the place, as well as professional photographers snapping away. Gene Simmons of Kiss was also milling around in the crowd taking pictures with the beautiful girls surrounding him. The models are trying to get their first "look" put on amid all this chaos. The show begins with two musical acts. Downstairs the air is filled with anticipation. Catherine moves upstairs to the stage where she will be commentating the show. So that means I'm left alone downstairs with the models. I began to get nervous. Why am I left in charge of making sure the models are dressed in the correct outfit and upstairs on time? Luckily for me the models are all experienced in fashion shows and they help me keep my cool as I yell at them to get on the stage NOW! As the first model returned from the runway she was beaming while changing into her next "look." This happiness was infectious and soon everyone in the room was smiling ear to ear. The feeling of anxiety was gone. The show had started and everything was falling into place effortlessly. I did sneak upstairs midway through the show to peak through the curtain. I looked out at the runway and watched one of the girls strut her stuff. The club was totally transformed now that it was brimming with people. I couldn"t help but feel proud that I had helped to make this possible. As I walked downstairs I couldn"t believe we had accomplished all of this in less than two weeks.

Back downstairs models were scurrying around asking me if they looked ok as they ran by. The adrenaline was still pumping through my body as everyone was on stage for the finale. The actual fashion show lasted about one hour. I was more than relieved that everything had run smoothly behind the scenes. As everyone came back downstairs I was still unable to wipe the smile off my face. I ran upstairs to get the reaction from the other side of the curtain. Everyone upstairs had the same silly grin on their face as well, so I assumed the show was a success. This part of the fashion industry is where I would love to make a career. Total excitement. However as I awoke the next day I realized being on your feet working for over 16 hours at a time, no matter how exciting it is, really takes a toll on your body. That's something I'm willing to live with.


Stay tuned next week for more coverage of the Curve fashion show with commentary from the audience perspective.

PLUS, Hillary Gooch is our newest colomnist!!! Stay tuned for future reports from her exciting life in New York's Fashion Industry.