Last week I got an opportunity to participate in the NYC Against HIV fashion show, featuring designer Emma Bell. It was held at Midwood Highschool in Brooklyn (just 15 minutes away from my house) and I got to do makeup, of course.

Backstage Report

Photography: Grenouille


The look: big lashes, glitter, natural lips

We had key makeup artist show us the look. For a moment there I was worried I won’t be able to follow (I much prefer to lead ;)), but it turned out to be a piece of cake. All these years of glitter & lash experience didn’t go in vane!


Me doing makeup on Atim. Clothing: Emma Bell

When I saw Atim walk through the door, I pounced – I love a black model with a strong face! We went for bright mossy green glitter with a hot pink lip (I deviated from the key look in favor of a brighter lip because it went better with her outfit).


She looks like Diana Ross… after an L.C. makeover.


Love the high school theme – totally unintentional, that’s just where we were!


That dress is wicked. Go Emma!


High school, you were great but I’m SO happy to be out!


Doing makeup on the designer. She told me to put as much glitter on her as possible. :D


Ahh, tough life of a designer…


A glimpse of backstage area. I think yellow is my favorite color… for food.

The event’s focus was HIV awareness, so we had several HIV-positive high school students walking the runway alongside real models. I got to do makeup on a girl called Raven Lopez, who was born and lived with the virus all her life. She was great; so strong. Apparently, she’s been on Oprah, Ricki Lake and a bunch of other shows talking about her life as a positive. You can read an interview with her here. During the event, students were given the opportunity to get tested for free.

The show was a huge success – so many people cheering at once! I went home feeling like I accomplished something big & important, something that will hopefully make a difference. Little-known fact: I used to work for a non-profit organization supporting research and development of AIDS vaccine called AVAC. I’ve been supportive of the cause since.

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