What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1169886
SEPTEMBER 22-28, 2019 WHAT'S UP! 3 Stevi Casey Q: How did you get involved in NWA Fashion Week? A: My first time walking for NWAFW was the fall 2017 show. I had attended the summer 2017 Black Apple Awards runway shows to support my friend, Jen Davenport, and the designer she was walking for encouraged me to try out. Modeling seemed out of my element, but Jen was a huge supporter; she went with me to auditions, and gave me pointers, as I didn't have any modeling experience. Q: What's the most important skill for a runway model to have? A: In my experience, being able to create an inner calm before stepping on the runway is key to a confident walk. The ability to not let the backstage commotion impact your demeanor onstage is an art. Q: How do you feel about the NWA Fashion Week's commitment to diversity and inclusion? A: Fashion isn't meant to just be appreciated by a certain demographic, so why would we limit the aesthetics of the models showcasing the fashion? Fashion inclusiveness allows a broader range of viewers to relate to the images, and I'm proud to be a part of this movement with NWAFW. Mary Borman Q: How did you get involved in NWA Fashion Week? A: I tried out last spring for Fashion Week, and I was chosen to model but I couldn't attend because I had a prior commitment. Now I'm ready to try it again. My friend Ashley Little told me about it and, by the way, my boyfriend is a model. Q: What's the most exciting thing that has ever happened to you on a runway? A: I love to see people smiling, screaming for me and taking pictures. It is really exciting. I really love pretty clothes, especially dresses. Q: What's the most important skill for a runway model to have? A: I think confidence and good self-esteem are the most important, and being excited and having fun. Q: How do you feel about the NWA Fashion Week's commitment to diversity and inclusion? A: I think I have a different and unique look. Everyone is different in their own way and beautiful. I am so excited to do this and so happy that I was chosen. Dinesh Hingoo Q: What is your favorite part of the runway experience? A: The culture that goes on behind the scenes. Everyone is so accepting, supportive and welcoming of each other. It really is amazing to see people that you would not know otherwise build you up, and it feels so good. Of course I love wearing the different outfits to show off and to show myself off in, but it's really the support I've gained from everyone that keeps me coming back. Q: What's the most exciting thing that's happened to you on a runway? A: When I was modeling for Stitches, I [had to wear] two outfits for them, so in the back where we were lined up to walk, I had to change into a completely different outfit at a rapid pace. That was great fun. Q: How do you feel about the NWA Fashion Week's commitment to diversity and inclusion? A: [To me, it means] that anyone has the ability to be creative in their own way, whether that is becoming an artist, designer or model. From my experience, I've seen all shapes, sizes, looks and personalities having a blast being themselves. I think that fashion is something anyone can be a part of because everyone has their own unique style. I think this statement is so important because there are young teenagers, adults and adolescents who think that they have to fit in based on what they wear and use, so because of people from NWAFW, young adults and teenagers can look up to models that look just like them. Because of NWAFW, those people who feel pressured can wear what they feel like wearing, and they can feel prideful of their own style. Courtesy Photo Model Dinesh Hingoo walks in clothing designed by Don Morphy. Courtesy Photo Model Mary Borman rocks a runway in New Jersey. Photo by Hannah Hall of The Gray People Model Stevi Casey says "being able to create an inner calm before stepping on the runway is key to a confident walk." See Fashion Page 37