Crystal Renn Covers Fashion Week: The (Kinda Crazy) Life Back on the Runway
by Crystal Renn
Hi everyone! I woke up today at 4:15 pm in Hamburg, Germany. I don’t
usually sleep in so late, but as I was recovering from a busy month
(without a single day off!) some serious down time was so needed! Here's
what's been going on since we "talked" last:
I am in Germany after a whirlwind trip to
London and Milan, where I walked in two different shows, for two
different designers—Mark Fast and Elena Miro—who have two very different
aesthetics. (More on that later.) I have to say, my recent experience
of watching runway shows during New York Fashion Week helped me so much
when it was my turn to walk in them: I was significantly calmer
backstage than usual (a surprise, as calm is not something I usually do
well) because I got to see that most of the people in the audience go to
the shows on a regular basis. Nothing surprises them. Once I realized
that to them, a runway show is not a novelty but the norm, it definitely
took the pressure off. Even though my eyes were glued to the runway,
there were a few moments where I caught people texting while the models
were walking on the catwalk!
Camilla, a fellow model, on the Mark Fast runway.
In London, I walked in the Mark Fast show. (Side note: I showed up
frazzled because my taxi driver was totally insane. His anxious, erratic
behavior was so disturbing and I was wondering if he hadn't taken some
mystery medication before picking me up. Nearly foaming at the mouth and
shaking, he was yelling at me that we could not make a quick stop at a
drug store. I turned all British on him and threw out a few "How
daaaaarrrreee you's" and fled from the car! Also, starting to drive
while I had one leg on the ground is NOT okay. He even dropped me off at
the wrong location. Not a great way to start a job.)
Luckily, the makeup artist let me vent and I found myself finally
calming down just in time to line up to go out on the runway. Walking in
Mark Fast’s show was incredible—it was such a dream, sashaying on
concrete to intense music with rock and roll hair! Besides the show, the
designer himself is pretty incredible: Fast made a name for himself
last season (and this one!) for using fuller girls in his show along
with other "traditional" runway models.
I also met Fast’s mom at the fitting! I loved that he had his family
around him—it shows he is a wonderfully normal human being, not some
design diva. Fast’s calm, creative demeanor gave everyone a good vibe
and I got the feeling that he genuinely wants to make change by using a
variety of models to represent his line and send a good message to women
that he designs for all body types. To that I say, well done Mark!
After his show, I made a beeline to the airport and made my flight to
Milan, just in time. Once there, I met up with friends that I had not
seen in way too long and we ate and drank the night away before our
fitting the next day. Because I travel alone so often, it is always nice
to catch up with people and unwind.
Me, on the Elena Miro runway. Love that belted look!
We all recovered just in time for the Elena Miro show and when hair
and makeup was done, I cheered with joy because the whole show had a
40's / Asian vibe (one of my favorite trends!). I loved my first outfit:
a red dress with a leather belted cinched waist, over-the-knee boots
and an interesting hat that was oh-so-very 40's. I thought it was
flattering and wearable. All fuller-figured women out there, take
inspiration from this show on how to dress! The designer is
fuller-figured herself, and really knows how to cut for women with
curves. I felt beautiful and confident in my outfits and I think my walk
showed it. Great show!
When I went back to the hotel and sat at a restaurant, I told myself I
would only put my head down for a minute. An hour later, I woke up with a
start—my jet-lag was so intense that I had dozed off, in public!
Luckily no one had really noticed, so I rushed to check out of my hotel
and head off to my next job, in Germany, where I am now. Phew!
Model Doutzen Kroes in Prada's spring 2010 show.
While I finally have a few minutes to catch my breath, I sit here
reflecting on my show experience—both in the audience and on the runway.
I must say that it has been a positive show season where there are
signs of change, slowly but surely. Designers like Mark Fast, Marc
Jacobs, Elena Miro—even Muiccia Prada!—featured a variety of body shapes
in their runway shows, not to mention countless other shows where there
were a few more girls with "bodies" than usual! Plus, there are
national and international fashion magazines who are promoting a new
body ideal. So, I am glad to say, I think change is happening.
Model Lara Stone in Prada's spring 2010 show.
by Crystal Renn
Hi everyone! I woke up today at 4:15 pm in Hamburg, Germany. I don’t
usually sleep in so late, but as I was recovering from a busy month
(without a single day off!) some serious down time was so needed! Here's
what's been going on since we "talked" last:
I am in Germany after a whirlwind trip to
London and Milan, where I walked in two different shows, for two
different designers—Mark Fast and Elena Miro—who have two very different
aesthetics. (More on that later.) I have to say, my recent experience
of watching runway shows during New York Fashion Week helped me so much
when it was my turn to walk in them: I was significantly calmer
backstage than usual (a surprise, as calm is not something I usually do
well) because I got to see that most of the people in the audience go to
the shows on a regular basis. Nothing surprises them. Once I realized
that to them, a runway show is not a novelty but the norm, it definitely
took the pressure off. Even though my eyes were glued to the runway,
there were a few moments where I caught people texting while the models
were walking on the catwalk!
Camilla, a fellow model, on the Mark Fast runway.
In London, I walked in the Mark Fast show. (Side note: I showed up
frazzled because my taxi driver was totally insane. His anxious, erratic
behavior was so disturbing and I was wondering if he hadn't taken some
mystery medication before picking me up. Nearly foaming at the mouth and
shaking, he was yelling at me that we could not make a quick stop at a
drug store. I turned all British on him and threw out a few "How
daaaaarrrreee you's" and fled from the car! Also, starting to drive
while I had one leg on the ground is NOT okay. He even dropped me off at
the wrong location. Not a great way to start a job.)
Luckily, the makeup artist let me vent and I found myself finally
calming down just in time to line up to go out on the runway. Walking in
Mark Fast’s show was incredible—it was such a dream, sashaying on
concrete to intense music with rock and roll hair! Besides the show, the
designer himself is pretty incredible: Fast made a name for himself
last season (and this one!) for using fuller girls in his show along
with other "traditional" runway models.
I also met Fast’s mom at the fitting! I loved that he had his family
around him—it shows he is a wonderfully normal human being, not some
design diva. Fast’s calm, creative demeanor gave everyone a good vibe
and I got the feeling that he genuinely wants to make change by using a
variety of models to represent his line and send a good message to women
that he designs for all body types. To that I say, well done Mark!
After his show, I made a beeline to the airport and made my flight to
Milan, just in time. Once there, I met up with friends that I had not
seen in way too long and we ate and drank the night away before our
fitting the next day. Because I travel alone so often, it is always nice
to catch up with people and unwind.
Me, on the Elena Miro runway. Love that belted look!
We all recovered just in time for the Elena Miro show and when hair
and makeup was done, I cheered with joy because the whole show had a
40's / Asian vibe (one of my favorite trends!). I loved my first outfit:
a red dress with a leather belted cinched waist, over-the-knee boots
and an interesting hat that was oh-so-very 40's. I thought it was
flattering and wearable. All fuller-figured women out there, take
inspiration from this show on how to dress! The designer is
fuller-figured herself, and really knows how to cut for women with
curves. I felt beautiful and confident in my outfits and I think my walk
showed it. Great show!
When I went back to the hotel and sat at a restaurant, I told myself I
would only put my head down for a minute. An hour later, I woke up with a
start—my jet-lag was so intense that I had dozed off, in public!
Luckily no one had really noticed, so I rushed to check out of my hotel
and head off to my next job, in Germany, where I am now. Phew!
Model Doutzen Kroes in Prada's spring 2010 show.
While I finally have a few minutes to catch my breath, I sit here
reflecting on my show experience—both in the audience and on the runway.
I must say that it has been a positive show season where there are
signs of change, slowly but surely. Designers like Mark Fast, Marc
Jacobs, Elena Miro—even Muiccia Prada!—featured a variety of body shapes
in their runway shows, not to mention countless other shows where there
were a few more girls with "bodies" than usual! Plus, there are
national and international fashion magazines who are promoting a new
body ideal. So, I am glad to say, I think change is happening.
Model Lara Stone in Prada's spring 2010 show.
