I woke up in a sunlit room at the Hotel Hendricks in midtown and starred at the skyline. I had my quintessential I love NY coffee mug in hand. It was Monday, February 14th, and Valentine’s Day was the farthest from my mind. It was the long-awaited day of the Break Free 2022 NYFW showcase. My friend and designer Alexandra Nyman @iamladycat had fitted me immediately when I landed in the city. I was looking forward to my first time walking a major runway.
While packing my “model kit” (nude heels, iced coffee, and a ton of snacks) I ordered an Uber. My call time was a whopping five hours before the doors opened. When I arrived at Ideal Glass Studios a man was yelling and waving his hands….”Is anyone walking for Zephyr? Who is walking for Zephyr?” I smiled. I loved the excitement. Models were shuffled into groups by designers and given directions for their next move. The energy was palpable.
Strolling in wearing a thrifted leather fanny pack, my Sober Curator press pass bounced from my midriff. The flurry of photos left me a little self-conscious given that I had strict instructions for clean hair and no-makeup. Do they know my face wears the damage of a 42-year-old recovering alcoholic? Nonetheless, it was game day. I immediately connected with photographer Rob MacNeil (@robmacneilphoto) to chat. We marveled at the fact that there were an unusually large number of designers and models on site for the show.
Cool as a Cat
Alexandra Nyman had a documentary film crew following her around as if she didn’t have enough to worry about. “That was me just completely winging it,” she told me after an impromptu speech on camera. She was introducing the film crew to the show’s cause: Mental health and addiction recovery. She was walking the film crew through the backstage events. Nyman was cool, calm, and collected. “She must be working an amazing program” my friend Jenn @firtyfashion said. I snapped a picture of the designer and smiled. I think it’s just her disposition I told her. Plus, this isn’t her first-time herding cats.
Nyman was the creative director of the entire event and was also showing her own collection. While I am sure she was under a heap of pressure, she didn’t have the time or the inclination for drama. Backstage the designers scrambled to get their last-minute fittings in while models practiced their catwalks and adjusted their gait. I zipped up sober influencer Martha Duke @martharecoveringoutloud in a ready-to-wear black dress with a gauzy shawl by @iamladycat. We all had to move fast, stay organized and help each other out.
The stories they tell
Kelsey Zephyr @kzephy impressively curated the show virtually and the Ipad went everywhere she needed. I snapped a picture of model Lauren Marie @lovatly getting fitted in a pair of her chic green overalls. Jacqueline @Jacquelinecity hustled around with a clipboard and an earpiece as did the rest of the designers. And Alexandra Nyman seemed to be everywhere.
When I sat down in the make-up chair it was blind faith letting someone else take over my face. But I was committed to the vision of the designer, and not my personal agenda. I knew I would be wearing a black and white ensemble, so a dramatic smokey eye was necessary. The artists from NYC Make-Up Academy @nymakeupacademy worked meticulously and quickly to transform our faces. I imagined for them it was much like painting a masterpiece while riding the NY subway. Organized chaos and bumping elbows were to be expected.
Before setting foot on the catwalk, designers organized their models to tell a story. Their collections flowed with each outfit transitioning to the next look. I was massively impressed with the designer’s ability to bring their unique vision to life in this way. From sketches to draping and cutting and sewing the garments came to life.
In The Village
I attempted to hold my composure as we climbed the stairs to the stage. We were elbow-to-elbow for what seemed like an hour. When I was nearing the top of the stairs, I could hear the song introducing Nyman’s collection. Stephen Wrabel, In the Village. “There is nothing wrong with you it’s true it’s true” Wrabel crooned. The audience quieted.
As I stood next to Nyman waiting for my signal to walk, she looked at me and whispered…”I love you, you got this” I nodded. Not because I had any experience walking a runway, but because I had experience walking through living hell. I had narrowly crawled out of my addiction to alcohol and escaped to the land of recovery.
“There is something wrong in the village.” The music boomed. I thought about the marginalized, the addicted, the mentally ill, the transgender, and the disabled. “They stare in the village.” I wanted to cry and scream and do a cartwheel all at the same time. With my game face on, I powered down the runway. The white silky train of my top swayed back and forth in a sweeping motion. I was walking for all of us in the recovery community. And at that moment, my fears took a backseat to the action. Recovery is possible.
Months & months of work had come to fruition at the Break Free NYFW showcase. I will follow many of the participants closely as time passes. I hold an attitude of reverence for the designers and models who worked towards this cause. Especially Alexandra Nyman, whose tireless efforts made this all possible. Stay tuned as we walk the talk together.
Grace & Glam,
Kate
WALK YOUR TALK: Walk Your Talk with Kate Vitela is our section of the site that celebrates fashion and the role it plays in our recovery. Getting ready for life can be just as fun if not more fun, now that we’re sober…because drunk never looks good.
Resources are available
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
