8

NYFW

Back when I was younger, I watched my mother do her job flawlessly, she worked backstage at fashion shows and gave it her all. I always told myself that one day I'll be just as impressive as her, if not more.

In Milan, fashion week was the best time of my life. I waited months just to witness the street style during Milan Fashion Week, and every design that you saw on a model looked beautiful, creative, and bright. I was extremely proud to be Italian seeing my fellow Italian models representing us. I was glad and grateful to my mother who allowed me to watch the whole production unfold.

It was a real and exhilarating privilege to experience the whole process behind the product and see the product unfold before so many people who loved fashion as much as me.

And now here I was, creating the same experience for another small girl waiting on the sideline to become a fashion director or designer.

People may say I was aloof, but those who had the advantage of seeing me when I was heartfelt and considerate of people's feelings, would say otherwise. I just had my days and moments.

"Is the after-party at your place Ms. Ambrosia?" Patricia Morge, the photographer of today's fashion show asks me as I pass her in the hall of the fashion house.

"Yeah, see you there." I smile at her and keep walking, she looks back at me with utmost gaiety. I was looking forward to my after-party, of course, there will be other after-parties taking place throughout New York but mine will have a throng of fashionistas, celebrities, some show producers, and more. My after-parties are always the hype of fashion week.

The socials always overflow with pictures of people having the greatest time. I don't mean to brag, but my parties are just what people look forward to after a fashion show. Two years ago, my parents came to my after-party and then put it on Twitter. I and Marco had a blast joking about it the morning after, but that was a long time ago. We hadn't spoken since then.

I should call them and see how they're doing.

"Do all models know their positions in the line-up?" I ask everyone as I walk backstage where the real magic happens. Amelia looks over at me as she's standing beside a model who's being dressed by a dresser I don't recognize, she was probably a new one.

"Yeah," she says. She walks up to me now. "We got your email, and I told the models that you want them to smile, and show that they're excited to be here as much as the audience is."

I nod. "Appreciated, keep up the good work, see you later." She smiles and walks back to her recent position.

I make my way to Ruby, and Steven, two of the people working with Beyond 8, to ensure we get the sound, lighting, and music cued and ready to go.

"How's everything, ready to go?" I put a thumbs up in question. They stop talking and nod with anxious expressions and slightly wide eyes. Were they scared of me? Hmm, would a smile help?

I smile, "Good to hear, keep up the good work." They return the smile and I walk away. Everything seemed to be in good hands. I walk up to the hair and make-up employees working on the models.

I used to be amazed at how they can get a model to look so different just by applying a tint of color on their face or changing up their hairstyles. Creativity was a transformation, a trip to explore new ideas and projects. This was the industry that transformed me. That built me and raised me.

I leave backstage and decide to go greet the guests and check if my brother was here yet. I'd have to admit, having my brother around did give me a sense of comfort. Growing up, he knew me better than anyone and still did, and I knew him. We were grown and some things were out of the picture but still, we knew each other's habits, personalities, dislikes, likes, and so much more. Which is how I caught on to his vibe whenever he came by my place.

"Ms. Ambrosia," Anna Wintour, Vogue's chief editor, says as I grab a cocktail from a banquet server. I turn to her and give her a decent smile. "I loved working alongside you to make this event spectacular."

She didn't work alongside me, she communicated with me through her people. I haven't seen her until now. But I keep my smile on. Whatever floats her boat.

"Right," I say, I try not to sound nonchalant but I fail, cause that's precisely what you hear leaking through my lips. I see her eye twitch and I find myself amused. "Well, I'll see you around or in one place or another." I lift my cocktail and walk away.

The next person I bump into was Harry Styles, he was wearing slim jeans, Chelsea boots, a bandana, a tailored will coat over a navy blue button-up that's unbuttoned halfway down, and a white pearled necklace.

I give him a reward smile, I was digging his look. I rise my cocktail, and he clinks his against mine.

"Ms. Amborisa," he greets, his accent leaking through his smile. His eyes do a once over my outfit. I was wearing the mock neck cut-out front split thigh sequins dress that Amber and Sofia bought for me. My hair was up with a claw clip with flawless strands framing my face.

I don't wear makeup, but today I had on a natural makeup look solely for the event.

"You look beautiful." his hand is on his hip as he observes me. "I have to say, Margo, you and your team have outdone yourselves."

I nod, "I'd have to agree, thanks, I'm proud of everyone."

He nods in agreement. "I'm proud of you, you're still young and you're thriving so far right now. I'm glad people are taking notice. Girl, you are all over the socials and on tv."

My eyebrows rise hearing this. "On tv?" Now that I think about it was talking to those reporters outside of Rose Bar also considered an interview? I considered that an attack.

"A lot, about your fashion week show, about that interview you had with Fashion is in New York. Be very proud, 'cause I am."

"Thanks, enjoy the show." I raise my drink and walk off. The lights start to blink, signaling that the show was starting. I go backstage as everyone takes their seat.

The models were lining up, and some others were getting their last touches before they walk down the runway.

"Alright, dim the lights!" I say to the people responsible for the lighting. I get a thumbs up and I watch as the lights dim, the music comes on and I gesture for the first model to go out. "Count four seconds before walking out next, go!"

"Everything's going perfect," Amber says as she stands beside me with a mug of coffee. She must've gotten tired, we had to wake up early to come here, prepare, and make sure everything we needed was delivered on time and scheduled.

I walk further backstage to where the dressers were just sitting down, resting on their elbows. "Get the other designs ready, come on we have to keep moving, I know we're all tired, but soon we'll be able to just sit and chill out." I snap my fingers and they nod, rushing to get the next outfits ready.

"Someone get water for everyone!" I say looking around. I see a guy run out the door, I hope he was fetching those water bottles. I walk back to the line-up. Models who come back are sent straight to the dressers to change.

Since the theme is skate core, I decided that the music should be skate punk, it makes everything youth-based. I was sure the YouTubers that came tonight are hyped to hear and see the show unfold before them. Because I sure was, it was all hip and layered. I was digging the baggy designs. I made sure that every model walked out with a skateboard to make it more realistic, showing you how a skateboarder will look walking down the street if they wore our designs.

"Have you seen Marco?" I ask Amber as she sends a model out. She glances at the audience, then at me. "Yeah, he's in the front with his friend, I think his name is Alexander or something." I nod and she focuses back on the models.

Alexander was here? I haven't seen him in a while, not that, that was a bad thing. Because I plan to stay away from him. But why has he stayed away? Oh god, why am I even questioning his absence?

Models that have gone down the runway once, line up again with a new outfit. They started getting the pace of timing between them and the model before them so Amber stops directing them.

I walk back to the dressers who were drinking water as they helped the models into their outfits. "You guys are doing amazing jobs, thank you." I give them a generous smile and they smile back like I just gave them a billboard award.

In time, my moment to walk down the runway was slowly approaching me. I  peeked at the audience and see Alexander, he was wearing a brown double button blazer and pants set with a white turtle neck and Ray-Ban sunglasses. His hair as always was a curly mess, but so sexy. It hurts to look. I step back and close my eyes, everything about him makes me heat up.

I open my eyes, and then I hear Amber on the microphone. "Now, a farewell speech from our beloved Director and boss of Fasho, Margo."

I walk down the runway, and as everyone clapped, everything seemed to slow down. I visualized myself in a movie, walking in slow motion. I didn't allow my eyes to meet Alexanders as I passed him. I knew that I looked sexy in this dress, it displayed my curves and exposed my soft legs.

Then I made it to the middle, and it was time to make my speech. I glanced around, seeing familiar faces, and E! as they live recorded the whole show and now me standing before the audience.

"Thank you for being a part of this amazing fashion show. As many of you know, Fasho is organizing this show, not only for fashion week but to promote the designer wears manufactured by our brand. Everyone behind this production should be extremely proud of themselves for outdoing themselves tonight." The audience gives them a round of applause. "Fashion speaks volumes to those who can't describe themselves through words, it's an art of transforming something simple into elegance. Fashion isn't all about looking cool or impressing others, it's about feeling happy with yourself, in how you look, feeling yourself. Soaking in the confidence as you pass people, and knowing you don't need a compliment to feel good."

The audience claps again. "There are gift bags by the exit, feel free to grab one on your way out. Have a good night everyone." I turn around and walk backstage. When I see Amber, she squeals and holds my hands before pulling me into a hug. I hug her back, and we pull away.

"Tonight although rough, was beautiful and so smooth. Nothing came off the wall and tore the show in half."

I nod and we start to walk to the door that led us to the hall that led us to our coats. "Ready to party?"

She gives me a look. "Do you even have to ask, of course, I am? I'm stoked, I want to get hyped up and be young again."

She wraps her arm over my shoulder as we push the door open and walk down the hall to get our coats. "And you, are having the time of your life with me."

"Of course, wouldn't miss out for nothing."

"Good, cause I need my sister beside me."

"Well if I slip away, don't take it personally."

She shrugs. "I won't."

"Good."