My-Cherie
The craziest thing happened to me today. I drove from Austin to Houston for informal modeling work with a designer who was introducing her new spring collection. I was very excited to be working today, mostly because the event was at a wine bar. The thought of working at a wine bar on a Sunday afternoon just sounds relaxing. Before walking in, I threw on my straight wig and brushed it down nice and smooth. I walked in confidently and introduced myself to the designer, her seamstress, two other models and the event coordinator. I was excited for the new experience until the designer gave me a sudden reality check. She took one long strange look at me and said, “I’m not feeling that wig you have on. What do you look like without it?”
I was afraid that this would happen one day. I was so embarrassed. How did she know I was wearing a wig and why did she say it so bluntly in front of everyone? Instead of being upset, I looked at her and said, “My hair is naturally curly, but I was told by my agent to come with my hair straight.”
She said, “Well take that wig off and let me see how your hair looks.” I took off my wig reluctantly, while all eyes were focused on me. I ran my fingers through my hair to fluff it out a bit. I waited for the designer’s response. She said, “Now that’s more like it. I can actually see your face. You are beautiful. Your hair is beautiful.Don’t ever wear that wig again!”
Thank goodness I had a few beauty supplies in my shoe bag. I grabbed my Miss Jessie’s Baby Buttercreme and my Oyin Frank Juice and ran to the bathroom to touch things up before the show.
Despite the weirdness of it all, I worked the show fabulously with my super kinky hair. Everyone loved my look with the designer’s clothes. After it was all said and done, the designer, the two other models, the seamstress, the event coordinator and I all had a champagne toast in celebration of a successful show.
I’ve decided that it’s time for me to retire my straight wig. It just doesn’t represent me and who I am always striving to be, naturally, curly and free.
