Blogger and model Stella Sieger took participated the Pulp Fashion Week in Paris and she’s taking you behind the scenes!
St last week’s Paris Fashion Week, not only skinny models walked down the catwalks. Paris Pulp Fashion Week saw its 5th edition this year, featuring models of different body types wearing sizes from 40 to 54. To walk a catwalk in the fashion metropolis Paris only once in a lifetime is every model’s dream and mine came true this year! Alongside 40 other beautiful women, I was chosen for the designer shows. Not only curvy women could be seen on the catwalk, also men wearing XL and bigger. Because they should also have the right to dress cool, stylish and fashionable and shouldn’t hide away! To me, they looked great!
Designers from Mexico, England, Germany, USA, The Netherlands, Switzerland, France, and Africa came to present their collections at Pulp Fashion Week’s 5th anniversary show. It was just fabulous! During the two days, more than 25 designers presented their newest trends in 6 shows overall. Jane Watson, Jon Marc, Glamour Glamour Swimwear and Qrystl Frazier were my absolute favourites! Although it’s rather hard to decide whose valuables to choose out of all these trendy garments.
From everyday wear through garments made of hair, sexy lingerie and swimwear to Haute Couture – there was just everything. Fashion specially made for plus size women. More and more people start to understand that this market and the demand for cool clothes here is huge, what a success!
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Day 1
When we first came to the location, the „Salon Vianey“, on Friday, September 29, we were just overwhelmed by joy, excitement, and chaos. 50 models had to try their show looks, it was all haywire. And long before everyone was done with the fitting, we’ve heard “catwalk rehearsals now”.
Our catwalk coach Esteban Chaffin, wearing high-heels, showed us three different choreographies. It took a while until everyone understood what to do, but at the end, it all went well. The best of a plus-size fashion show runway is that you may feel beautiful, sexy and happy and that you can show this to everyone. Whereas slim models are often bad-tempered and make a bored impression. Already at rehearsal, we had so much fun, especially because we had such super cool music for the walk.
On Friday evening the big Pulp Fashion Show opening party was happening on a beautiful boat on the Seine. The round trip through Paris was all about partying and dancing. Around 23.00 h the fin was over, to make sure the models got their beauty sleep
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Pulp Fashion Week
Day 2
Finally! Saturday, September 30 was the big day of the first fashion shows.
From early morning, there was utter chaos. Some models had to return to fitting, and half of them got black wigs which were then turned into a stylish bob cut. Three makeup artists were constantly busy with the models’ makeup.
You don’t need to be experienced to know that three makeup artists are clearly not enough for 50 models. The first show was supposed to start at 15.00 h, at 14.00 h, 15 models were still missing hair and makeup and, yes, I was one of them. My pulse was pounding. By the skin of our teeth, we managed to get styled and to make it to the catwalk.
The shows went smoothly, a bit late but without the audience noticing any of the confusion backstage. We could present a wonderful show. Everyone was thrilled.
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Day 3
The next day, everyone had a bit more routine. But often, we didn’t even have one minute to change outfits, even though we had to change the underwear sometimes. Well, in the backstage area of a big fashion show it’s as stressful as one would expect. But the feeling you get when you walk the runway is unparalleled. According to my outfit, I changed from that cheerful girl, jumping barefoot in a pink swimsuit into a sexy lady in a red negligée or a classy beauty in an evening gown.
At the show’s final, Blanche Kazi, the Fashion Week’s promoter, thanked the entire team, the models, and the audience, and the Model of the Year was elected: Nikki Jacobs.
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For me, as a plus-size model, it’s been a great experience to be a part of a Paris Fashion Week. I met so many wonderful people and I could gain so many impressions. It’s definitively a trip which I will never forget!
However, I’m wondering whether a Fashion Week will see as well slim as curvy women one day. The time is right for more diversity on the world’s “normal” catwalks. But I think, we’re right on track to create fashion for every size.
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For more videos and photos simply follow @pulp_fashion_week_paris_
TIP: The castings of the Paris Pulp Fashion Week are open to everyone who feels like doing this and wants to give it a try. You’ll be able to apply for next year soon if you want to experience it. Good luck!
Stella Sieger ist ausgebildete Schauspielerin und Curvy Model aus München. Sie liebt Mode und liebt es mit ihrer Weiblichkeit zu spielen. „Ob dünn, normal oder kurvig, wir können uns alle modisch und schick anziehen!“ Als Gastautorin möchte sie euch zeigen, wie schön sowohl Mode in ’normalen Größen‘ als auch Mode speziell für Curvys an einer Größe 42/44 aussehen kann. Get inspired by Stella!
