That Time I Was A Runway Angel
Lexi and Alyse Scaffidi, founders of the DreamWalk Fashion Show
In the summer of 2017 I was given the opportunity to be a part of something extraordinary. Lexi, aka @bitesizedsis, reached out to me and asked if I wanted to be a part of a body positive YouTube video that she and her sister Alyse, @bitesizedfitness, believed would go viral- a Victoria’s Secret inspired body positive fashion show. I said yes.
Knowing the show was inspired by Victoria’s Secret and being told my color to wear was purple, the only instructions given were to go all out with my ensemble, I turned to Pinterest for inspiration. After much internal debate I decided to base my look off of the $10,000,000 2013 Royal Fantasy Bra from Victoria’s Secret and got to work. Now, I’m not one to describe myself as artisting but I have friends who are and were more than happy to help me out and transform my plain top into a bedazzled work of art (Thank you Julz and Madrina!).
The day of the DreamWalk Fashion Show, I arrived at the venue and was blown away when I walked through the door. There was a long runway with a beautiful set, and there were people everywhere setting up, rehearsing, finalizing every detail. After getting pampered in hair and make-up, rehearsing with the other models and performers, and numerous takes, we were ready to take the stage
I walked out feeling like I had just been a part of something special...and it was only the beginning. The YouTube video went viral (over 12 million views on Facebook), it dominated my Instagram feed and over the past three years has evolved to something much bigger than a fashion show.
Some people thought the show had branded itself as the Anti-Victoria’s Secret fashion show when that was not the case. In fact, that thought could not be more opposite to the purpose of the video. Those people were unable to see the women as runway models. Beauty, for those critics, applies to a select group of people and is near impossible to achieve. The point of the show was to expand society’s definition of what was beautiful to include everybody. The dreamers who have walked the runway represented all body types, ages, gender, and ability.
Since 2017 the fashion industry has changed, it has become more inclusive, but there is a long way to go. Remembering the shows from New York Fashion Week, only a select few come to mind that showcased body diversity. Where we are now in the current upswing of the body positivity/inclusivity movement, you would think that more designers would be designing for all types of women, not just those expected on a runway.
I am honored to have been included, to be an OG Dreamer. Was I nervous to walk the runway? Of course. Never before had I allowed myself in such a way and it was during a time I was struggling with my reflection. Looking back at the pictures and video from that day I almost don’t recognize myself. I was walking with a confidence I didn’t know I had. Something had changed. It was the first time I had seen a little person walk down a runway with average-sized models. I felt seen by the fashion industry, by society in a way I had never felt before.
