This past Kansas City Fashion Week – yes, the one back in March that I never wrote a post about – I had the privelege of walking for one of our sponsors, Dillards at Oak Park Mall, on Saturday Night at the Grand Hall at Power & Light. Union Station, where Fashion Week is held in the fall, is much larger venu but there’s something about the European-style runway and the details of the Grand Hall that makes it my favorite venue for KCFW.

![]() |
| Photos by Tou Yang |
Because it was Easter Weekend, a local church made Easter baskets for all of the models with snacks and games to keep us busy backstage while we waited for hair & makeup. You can see how exciting backstage can get 😛 It’s really a lot of hurry up and wait most of the time, so I always go prepared for the wait.
What’s always in my bag:
- book to read
- logic puzzles
- phone charger
- headphones
- a blanket
- a toothbrush and toothpaste
- snacks (and sometimes B will bring me lunch or dinner)
- my own water bottle, though there’s almost always water available
- slippers or flip-flops; I love my Mahabis because they can be worn inside or outside if you add the sole. I have the light grey + yellow and get asked backstage at every show about them. You can get your own pair from Nordstrom here.
- extra shoes for the runway – sometimes a model you’re walking with will need another pair or your designer may want to see some options

![]() |
| Photo by Simon Kuo Westside Studio |
![]() |
| Photo by Hananiah Aldrich |

![]() |
| Photo by Dani Michael |
![]() |
| Finale. Photo by Ryan Swartzlander. |

100% yes.











