
Behind Scenes: Rise Fashion Show

For those of you who don’t know her story, she’s one hell of a woman and I urge you to look into her. You may have seen her cameo in the animated movie, Anastasia? Yeah, she’s the woman wearing a banana skirt walking a pet cheetah. That wasn’t even an exaggeration of her character, she’s just 100% authentic divalicious and is one of my main icons. Josephine came from nothing back in the 1920s and as not only a woman but a woman of color rose to be the highest paid Vaudeville and Burlesque star. She gained duel citizenship in United States and France and juggled major roles in the Civil Rights movement as well as assisting in the French Revolution. She empowers me as a human and as a woman and is true rags to riches story. In her honor, I designed three garments that were modern twists on something I could see Josephine wearing. One was a typical flapper-esque dress with a little leopard peekaboo under the fringe, one a lingerie and kimono set, and lastly a flared dress with added details. You can see more detailed photos and technical descriptions on my portfolio but here’s just a little snippet at the behind scenes action.


3) Channeling my inner Jay Manuel (America’s Next Top Model). The photoshoot is all part of the fun, presenting and creative directing is something I would love to delve into further in future.
4) Spending time with great people. Making lifelong friendships with people who just get it.
5) “Model Behavior”. Sometimes it’s good to be reminded that these gorgeously beautiful human beings are still exactly that, human. Silly, fun loving human beings who enjoy a good sandwich.
6) Audience interaction? Otherwise known as my momma. I love my mom and seeing her having fun at my shows. Her support means a lot to me and is one of the reasons I’m able to do what I love. Here the MC asked her to get up and walk the runway to show off her own unique style.
7) Evolution and Experience. This field builds you up and breaks you down, you gain esteem and tough skin at the same time. Doing shows gives us experience to learn more about ourselves, what we’re capable of, ad to grow from it. We get so sick of seeing our looks and knowing or fixing every single flaw when we’re making them and then we see through new eyes as its finally real. Rise gave me a platform to create in a way that I like best: telling and relating to a story and moment in time. I think that drive was able to shine through because I was one of the winners that night. It made me feel like I do have a place. I want to create a story through clothing and evoke emotion, confidence, a sense of acceptance and proud to be uniquely you. Just like Josephine was proud to be uniquely her.
Keep on dreaming,
xoxo Sinéad Odessa
Pakky
June 18, 2015 at 12:47 pmAw dear congrats for the beautiful show and for every other accomplishment you make everyday, for all these years I have known you, having been able to follow your story makes me so happy and proud! Congrats and thanks for becoming who you are! I'm ashamed for not knowing Josephine yet, but I'll properly Google her later, promise! She already sounds amazing as is but your designs do make me even more curious now. And I almost teared up with your words, I'm glad to see you are making your dreams come true, and you are surrounded by such beautiful people in that path. And your mom too, gorgeous as always! Love you dear, keep strong <3
Sinéad Odessa
June 29, 2015 at 11:19 pmThank you lovely! I had to feature your comment to see it but you're my soul twin so you're always featured.. in my heart! Hah the cheese! <3 It's ok, never too late to learn. (: She was an amazing woman in history.
Love you, thanks for all your support through the years. I got this far and got to become the person I am a great part in thanks to you <3
Anecia
July 1, 2015 at 1:57 amgreat backstage photos! lovey blog sweety 😉
http://www.aneciablog.pl
Sinéad Odessa
July 1, 2015 at 3:07 amThanks love!