Behind The Curtain

PHOTO COPYRIGHT OF EDEN M RODRIGUEZ PHOTOGRAPHY https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eden-M-Rodriguez-Photography/

It was my honour and privilege to be the MC for the launch of the semi-annual “Behind the Curtain” fashion and trade show, here in Calgary, Alberta.
It all started when I received a late night message from fellow model Ashley Wood. Ashley and I met when we modelled for the same design team this past March in the Make Fashion show for Illuminated Vintage. We immediately became friends and I couldn’t help but fall in love with her adorable nature and attractive charm….
excuse me a moment while I gush about the marvel that is this little lady. Ashley Wood is the picture of perfection, a real life Snow White. She has pristine porcelain skin, a Hollywood smile, a dancer’s ass and silken ebony hair. Not to mention a jaw structure chiseled by the gods themselves. Shes only little too! It’s as if god said “no no, this one is perfect just this tall, she doesn’t need anymore height.” Every photo she takes, she not only nails the concept, she takes it to whole new levels. There are few women I will say I have met my match in, and this one possibly trumps us all. She truly is amazing, the lovely Ashley Wood.
…. Back to the story…
Ashley messaged me asking if I was free June 21, as she had a fashion show coming up, and needed an MC. She said when she was asked who could be “funny, engaging, and never shut up,” so naturally she thought of me! Yay! Thanks beautiful!
Of course I knew that date was
My birthday, but I didnt turn her down. I told her to ask me again in a couple weeks.
A couple weeks came and went and I decided to be the MC. And I’m so happy I did.
I met with Photographer and event organizer Daiana Sioui (D.S.Photography) and designer Mackenzie Jones for dinner to discuss the event.

In the time before the show I arranged to have my good friends at Age of Days donate a few signed copies of their new album “Radioactivity” (available at HMV across Canada and on iTunes) for the silent auction. I met up with the highly talented and extremely handsome Tim Morrison, (lead singer and front man), to pick up the “goods” in a mutually agreed upon parking lot in town, (it’s not what you think) 🙂 I picked up the CDs, we chatted, and went about our days 😉 we’re busy people after all.
https://www.facebook.com/Ageofdays
http://www.ageofdays.com/

The weeks leading up to a fashion show never prepare one enough for the actual day…

The day of the show I woke up puking (also not what you think, unless it’s an immaculate conception). I managed to hold a bit of coffee down, then got in my car and headed to the show…

I pulled over half way to be sick again…

And let me tell you why I’m including this….

JUST BECAUSE I WAS SICK DOES NOT MEAN I COULDNT PERFORM! If I could still walk and talk, I could still MC. So I told myself it’s just nerves and drove my sorry ass all the way downtown to the show.

Needless to say I was late. And due to miscommunication (on my part) my amazing master stylist and best gay friend ever was late too (I’m sorry darling!!!) my darling best friend and makeup artist (Tara Carter!) raced downtown to do my makeup especially for me, bumped into Mackenzie Jones at the show and, well, cause we all love Mackenzie so much Tara offered to do her makeup too ( poor stylists, designers, these ladies/men wouldn’t eat half the time if we don’t remind them! Let alone have time to do their own makeup)
*MY MAKEUP WAS APPLIED ONCE! It stayed FIERCE for 10hrs! Does your makeup do that? If the answer is no, make sure you’re contacting my girl Tara for your next big event)
(Tara! : http://www.facebook.com/fancyfantasy

After that I ran to Jason for my hair.
Oh my Jason. My unicorn. Who has now become the self-proclaimed “Junicorn” (jay-unicorn=Junicorn) and with that in mind, for my birthday, he bought me a special hair accessory. A mini-rearing up unicorn on half a disco ball with a my little pony tail. Naturally this was fixed to my head along with some giant calla Lillie’s. I know, sounds extreme and ridiculous right?….
But….
(First of all.. NEVER DOUBT YOUR STYLIST) because…. When you pair my ridiculous yet amazing hair with my

“OH MY GOD SO CUTE I MUST HAVE THAT” dress from Jaclyn Maier of Personalize it Fashion. I then went from ridiculous and extreme, to:
extremely ridiculously cute!!!!!!

See^^ always trust your stylist.

Show time was coming up and it was my time to shine, I pushed aside my nerves and walked into the spotlight. If for some reason I didn’t fully cover
it then, allow me to reiterate:

PHOTO COPYRIGHT OF MEECHELLI PHOTOGRAPHY AND https://www.facebook.com/pages/MeeChelli-Photography/110547912298034
District 12 photographics http://d12photo.com/

Yesterday we featured several local artists and gave them a chance to exhibit and even do live performances of their skills, also with product on site available for purchase. We had:

Daiana Sioui: D.S Photography

Creative, Portrait, Fashion, Concept/Storyboard Photographer since 2000.
Would rather be labeled as an “Artist” over a “Professional”
Specializes in Movement photography
Able to give a unique and different view for both corporate and personal
Open minded and strives to meet all creative needs
Shoots on Location, Studio and Destination
Well versed in the Fashion Industry
International Photographer
Award winning and Published Photographer

PHOTO COPYRIGHT OF MEECHELLI PHOTOGRAPHY AND https://www.facebook.com/pages/MeeChelli-Photography/110547912298034
District 12 photographics http://d12photo.com/

Greg Harder: Photographer and artist

Jaclyn Maier: Personalize It Fashion
https://www.facebook.com/Personalize.It.Fashion

Ruby Johnson: Ruby Ellen Designs

Mackenzie Jones: fashion designer

Michael Snyder: international wood burning artist from Florida. One of two artists IN THE WORLD that can do this! He is completely colour blind! Inspired by nature and wildlife.

PHOTO COPYRIGHT OF MEECHELLI PHOTOGRAPHY AND https://www.facebook.com/pages/MeeChelli-Photography/110547912298034
District 12 photographics http://d12photo.com/

Debra Kelly- international makeup/airbrush artist, conceptual stylist and designer,

Tracey falukozi: makeup artist, body painter, special fx (prosthetics)

Jason Mellor – master stylist and creative direction at edges salon

Special guests: Nick “the Promise” ring MMA fighter.

The hostesses were Ashley wood and Cydney Melnyk

The event photographers were the lovely Eden Rodriguez and

District 12 photographics (fb: meechelli Photography)

And on video my dear friend Paul spenard.

After my Speech the day went on as planned…….. sort of…

Up first…

NICK “THE PROMISE” RING

Black Belt in Muay Tai
“Holds the Canadian Golden Gloves Super Heavy & Middle weight Kickboxing Title
Holds the Intercontinental Light Heavyweight Muay Thai title
Holds World Amateur Muay Thai Championship (Bronze Metal)
Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Bronze Medalist in 2008 Fila World Grappling Championships
2 bronze medalists at the 2009 Fila world grappling championships
Strongly Active in a variety of local and international charities”
By purchasing a drink from the bar, or putting $5 in the jar (or more) you could challenge NICK THE PROMISE RING to an arm wrestling match. Proceeds went towards The Underwear Affair, To find a cure for cancers below the waist.

Here’s a clip of our EPIC match together! MC’d by the lovely Ayla! Notice my ENTIRE BODY WEIGHT is on his one arm, I was literally kicking my feet in the air… you’re one tough guy Nick.

He and I bantered throughout the night, so there’s a couple more photos below this from my camera

DRESS COMPLIMENTS OF https://www.facebook.com/Personalize.It.Fashion
HAIR BY JASON MELLOR: https://www.facebook.com/EdgesSalonandSpa

PHOTO COPYRIGHT OF MEECHELLI PHOTOGRAPHY AND https://www.facebook.com/pages/MeeChelli-Photography/110547912298034
District 12 photographics http://d12photo.com/
DRESS COMPLIMENTS OF JACLYN MAIER https://www.facebook.com/Personalize.It.Fashion

MY OUTFIT (FASCINATOR INCLUDED) PROVIDED IN THE ABOVE TWO PHOTOSBY https://www.facebook.com/MMackenzieJones
HAIR BY JASON MELLOR https://www.facebook.com/EdgesSalonandSpa

JACLYN MAIER PERSONALIZE IT FASHION
https://www.facebook.com/Personalize.It.Fashion

JACLYN!!! THE LITTLE DESIGNER WITH A LOT OF CREATIVITY!!!! She can: Customize Pre- Existing Lingerie to suit personal style. Hand make any type of lingerie to create your own personal garment. Custom made costumes wedding dress, cocktail, special occasion dress, hand crafted hair and body accessories. Special order chain mail accessories, garments and body pieces.
For me she created a TO-DIE-FOR dress, which in all pieces was a skirt frame, tutu, flower and bejewelled belt, and decorative corset. everyone loved it

^^^ Thank to Leigha for snapping this for me

Thank you Daiana for snapping this one for me as well 🙂

GREG HARDER: PHOTOGRAPHER AND AIRBRUSH ARTIST
Local Portrait, Fashion and Concept Photographer for 10yrs, specializes in Light Photography
(Airbrush art) also specializes in realism meets fantasy. I literally watched this man take a photograph and not only make it art, but take it to another world, with an airbrush gun… this man’s talent is absolutely immeasurable.

PHOTO COPYRIGHT OF MEECHELLI PHOTOGRAPHY AND https://www.facebook.com/pages/MeeChelli-Photography/110547912298034
District 12 photographics http://d12photo.com/

DEBRA KELLY:
https://www.facebook.com/DEBRAKELLYMAKEUP
Originally from Australia, Debra is skilled as a: Professional Freelance Makeup Artist Airbrush Artist,Session Stylist, Conceptual Crafter/ Designer. She used her runway time to display her new project, paper flower dresses

PHOTO COPYRIGHT OF MEECHELLI PHOTOGRAPHY AND https://www.facebook.com/pages/MeeChelli-Photography/110547912298034
District 12 photographics http://d12photo.com/
hair by Jason mellor:https://www.facebook.com/EdgesSalonandSpa

JASON MELLOR:
https://www.facebook.com/EdgesSalonandSpa
a bit about Jason….
International Creative Competitor in styling arts
Lead Stylist for YYC Fashion week
Creative Director at Edges Salon and Spa
Owner of “Love Hair by J”
Senior Educator for J Beverly Hills Canada
National Aired TV Competition shows
Winner of Hair Wars 2013

… and you wonder why I call him “MASTER STYLIST”

Jason and I went on stage and did a live demonstration on how to create a messy bun, here is a link to the tutorial
https://carolynnescoffield.com/2014/06/12/high-fashion-hair-how-to-guide-to-4-easy-high-fashion-hairstyles/

SPECIAL THANKS TO THIS DARLING MAN FOR ALL HIS HARD WORK ON MYSELF AND SEVERAL OTHER MODELS!!!

PHOTO COPYRIGHT OF EDEN M RODRIGUEZ PHOTOGRAPHY https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eden-M-Rodriguez-Photography/

TRACEY FULKOWSI
https://www.facebook.com/TFMakeupArtistry
Make Up Artist , Special FX & Prosthetics,Studies at New Image in Vancouver and has Background in Science and Engineering
We had a LIVE performance of prosthetics! Tracey had a young man named Nathan come on stage and have a “wound” applied to his face. It was so incredibly life-like!

PHOTO COPYRIGHT OF EDEN M RODRIGUEZ PHOTOGRAPHY https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eden-M-Rodriguez-Photography/

PERFORMANCE BY LAUREN MAYELL
https://www.facebook.com/LaurenMayellMusic
Singer and songwriter/Vocal Coach

The audience was blown away not only by the beauty of the sight of Lauren, but the amazing voice she has. What a talent! To book her or book lessons visit her page!

PHOTO COPYRIGHT OF MEECHELLI PHOTOGRAPHY AND https://www.facebook.com/pages/MeeChelli-Photography/110547912298034
District 12 photographics http://d12photo.com/

RUBY ELLEN DESIGNS
http://www.rubyellendesigns.com

Ruby Johnson, the mightiest, tiny lady alive. Ruby designed her whole life for friends and family but never pursued her dream. After freeing herself from a 26yr abusive marriage, she began designing full time. 1.5yrs ago her set “pretty pieces” made the NEW YORK FASHION WEEK runway. I can only imagine how she mustve felt. Ruby designed a beautiful, backless purple number for me, with gold accents on the flower and gold straps.

Ruby, I apologize dearly, I rushed to the stage, forgot my notes, and got lost in my inspirational story I forgot the one you asked… here we go:

Over her years of custom designing in Calgary, Ruby Johnson, the creative mind behind Ruby Ellen Designs, has become known for her playful, whimsical creations, often featuring floral elements in unexpected ways. In honour of the celebration of her fifth business anniversary this past spring, the featured flowers in Ruby’s new RED Blooms collection take on special significance. Like the gentle turning of spring into summer, RED Blooms symbolizes the growth of her design studio from the tiny bud that began all those years ago in her basement apartment to the full, fragrant blossom that her business is today.

Live the magic, dress in R.E.D.

403 829-7850

PHOTO COPYRIGHT OF MEECHELLI PHOTOGRAPHY AND https://www.facebook.com/pages/MeeChelli-Photography/110547912298034
District 12 photographics http://d12photo.com/

MACKENZIE JONES
https://www.facebook.com/MMackenzieJones
Jewelry and Alternative Fashion Designer
Wedding Gowns, Bridesmaids, Graduation, Evening gowns
Custom accessories
Custom design
International clientele base

My Darling Mackenzie!!!! My poor darling shipped all her beautiful dresses to the emmys, however, she kept one especially for me.
Behold… the coupe de gras. for info go to Mackenzies page, I will tell you that cape is suede topped with fur and is to die for.

When all was said and done it was a great show. Mackenzie walked me back to take off my dress and like a little girl I pouted, “but, but kenzie, I don’t wanna take it off, it’s soooo pretty”
And she said “I know my dear, but it’s quite hard to sleep in a corset…”
Touché Mackenzie Jones…
So I begrudgingly got undressed, slipped off my ever so fabulous cape. Dressed back into my normal clothes. Drove my Junicorn home and then called it a night. All in all it was a wonderful show, amazing people, immeasurable talent, and an awesome birthday.