The fashion industry is a place where everyone is ALWAYS looking forward.

What's the newest trend? Who is the next up and coming designer? Who is the hottest new model? 

While designers are showing their current collection, they already have their next collection in production and have already started designing the following collection! It is so easy to get swept up in the fast paced nature of the industry and since everyone is always looking forward to what's next, we all forget to just sit and enjoy the present. 

When Kelsey and Reilly, the co-creative directors for Moda, reached out to me asking if I wanted to participate in the show, I really had to sit and think about it. Not because I didn't want to do it but primarily because I did not know if I would have the time to create a new collection, photograph it, find models, and spend the day in Madison for the show all the while starting my own design business. Ultimately, I decided to live in the present and enjoy the opportunities that were being presented to me in that moment. 

I previously shared a blog post talking about my inspiration for this collection so I won't go into too much detail regarding that but in short, the collection was inspired by 1920's Paris and the Moulin Rouge. I used the rich colors of black, red, and gold to give the collection the luxurious feel of that time. 

The looks read really well on the runway and the satin and chiffon skirts glided beautifully on the runway. Adding a flowy fabric as a skirt, cape, or sleeve really helps the lingerie pieces come to life. It gives them that extra bit of movement they need for the runway. 

I had mentioned in my Instagram post yesterday that you always have to expect the unexpected especially when it comes to fashion. That was very true for the show on Friday because one of my models ended up getting sick a couple of hours before the show... the kind of sick that doesn't really let you get out of bed. Thankfully, the day before, Josie, a friend who had modeled for me in the past, sent me a message saying she would be in town and could model if I needed her to! Long story short, Josie arrived just as the show was starting, we got her dressed and ready, and she strutted her stuff on the runway to close the show! 

Thank you SO much to everyone who helped out in anyway to make this show possible! I don't know what I would do without the support from my amazing family and friends. You all seriously amaze me every day and I love you all so very much!

Thank you to Moda for hosting such a great event and for including me in the show. Thank you to Kelsey and Reilly for putting on an amazing show and for asking me to be a part of it. Thank you to my family for coming to the show and for always being so supportive. Thank you to my good friend, Anna, for coming to the show and helping out backstage with all the finishing touches. Thank you to Ben for coming to the show aka your very first fashion show but definitely not your last! Thank you to my fabulous models-Ashley, Danika, Josie, Dani, and Miriam-you all made my designs come to life on the runway! 

Stay tuned for the runway shots from the photographers! I'll be getting them over the next couple of days and sharing the more professional shots with you all as well. :) 

Also, the amazing Alexa Carlson interviewed me for the show and wrote a great article about the collection. You can check out my designer profile HERE. 

xoxo

Madalyn Joy