Catwalk (13 page)

She laughs. “Is it that obvious?”

“Maybe it’s just that I can relate.”

She looks curiously at me. “You’re not into it either? What about your TV show?”

I shake my head. “I’m doing that for my sister’s sake. Anyway, mostly I signed on to be the camera girl.” I make a face. “That was the producer’s idea. A way to get both of us on the show. A sister act, you know.”

“Very clever.”

“The truth is I’m really much more interested in photography.” Then I tell her about UCLA and how it was hard to give it up in exchange for the show.

“That’s exactly how I feel about school. Taylor didn’t want me to leave New York last fall, but by the end of summer I was so sick of fashion and modeling, I couldn’t wait to get back to a normal life.”

“That’s how I feel a lot of the time. But I have to admit I’m getting some good experience. I even got to shoot all the footage when we did Dylan’s studio. It was pretty fun.”

DJ and I talk some more and I learn that she attends a small college in Connecticut and that she has a boyfriend. I also learn that both she and Taylor are Christians, and can’t help but be a little stunned.

“That surprises you?” she asks.

“Well, I just didn’t expect to discover too many believers
in the fashion industry.”

“That’s kind of true. But Taylor is sincere in her faith. And I think she’s making an impression. She’ll talk to anyone about God and most of the time, people listen. It’s really cool.”

I nod. “Definitely.”

We continue to talk and I realize that I really like this girl. She’s grounded and smart and, like me, she takes her faith seriously. Finally, the party seems to be winding down and Taylor and her friends are getting ready to leave, which I use as a cue to get Paige to go too.

“Are you going to be at Taylor’s when we come to stay?” Paige asks DJ as we’re going down the elevator together.

“No, I’ll be back at school.”

“I could barely talk her into coming for Dylan’s show,” Taylor admits. “In fact, I had to get her grandmother involved.”

DJ laughs. “Yes, Taylor enticed my grandmother to come for the Ralph Lauren show tomorrow, then used that to get me to commit to come too.”

“So, we’ll see you tomorrow then,” Paige says as we go into the lobby.

“Grandmother and I will be there,” DJ promises. “Front row seats.”

“Mrs. Carter is an old friend of Ralph Lauren,” Eliza explains.

“Mrs. Carter is an old friend of almost anyone in the fashion industry,” Taylor adds. “Well, unless they’re too new. Although, Dylan is new and she somehow connected with him.”

“Well, I would love to meet Mrs. Carter,” Paige says. “Do you think she’d be willing to be on our show?”

DJ laughs. “Are you kidding?”

Taylor nods. “Oh, yeah, you won’t have to twist her arm
much.”

“And the old girl can tell some stories,” Eliza adds.

So we part ways, and to my relief our town car has made it through traffic and is outside waiting for us. And although the streets are still clogged with taxis and limos and town cars, we manage to make it to our hotel before one. And, really, the after party turned out to be better than expected—and getting to know Taylor and DJ was the best part.

The Ralph Lauren show is also in the tent,
but this time it’s an afternoon show. This time I think to pack a pair of walking shoes in my oversized bag. And since it’s an afternoon event—with no after party—we dress a bit more casually. At least I do, wearing pants today. Paige still looks like she could be meeting the queen in a sleek navy dress and matching coat along with navy and white spectator pumps—all Prada. But unless there’s a beach or a picnic involved, Paige rarely does casual.

After the show, which is very good, Fran gets an idea. “Let’s invite Mrs. Carter and anyone else who’s free to come to lunch with us,” she suggests. Everyone is milling around now, chatting and doing closer inspections of the models’ outfits. Fran nods to Paige as she’s reaching for her phone. “I’ll see what I can set up while you girls go talk to Mrs. Carter and her granddaughter.”

Paige and I work our way through the crowd to where Mrs. Carter, a white-haired woman dressed impeccably in a pale blue suit with a striped pastel scarf draped around her
neck, seems to be holding court with a small group of fashion freaks. Okay, I’m trying not to think in such negative terms, but it does get overwhelming.

As she’s talking, Mrs. Carter seems to notice Paige and smiles directly at her, then waves us to come over and join her. DJ introduced us before the show, and I could tell Mrs. Carter was interested in our TV series.

“Paige Forrester,” Mrs. Carter calls out, “come over here, darling. You and your sister. I’d like you to meet some friends.” And just like that, we’re being introduced to the current editor-in-chief of
Couture
and a couple of editors from other fashion magazines. I’m thinking this would’ve been a great scene to include in our show and that it’s too bad we didn’t have a press pass to allow some of our crew in here. Or even me with my camera. But at least JJ is outside, waiting for us. Paige kept him busy for much of the morning doing spots with anyone who seemed interested in getting face time on TV.

“I know this is very last minute,” Paige jumps in after the editors have moved along. “But we wondered if you and DJ might like to join us for lunch, Mrs. Carter.”

“That sounds delightful,” she tells her. “I already made a reservation at our hotel, but I asked for a large table just in case I ran into friends today. I’d be happy to share it if that works for you.” Then she tells us the name of the hotel—it’s the same one we’re staying in.

“You’re welcome to ride with us,” Paige offers, “but our camera guy will be along too. So, unless you’re opposed to being on our show, there could be some filming.”

Mrs. Carter laughs. “Well, if you can stand to have my old face on your show, I’m happy to oblige.”

“I have so many questions for you,” Paige bubbles. “You’re such a fashion icon and you know everything and everybody.”

Mrs. Carter waves her hand, but I suspect she’s flattered. DJ actually winks at me, as if to indicate that her grandmother is eating this up. And before long we’re loaded into the limo, and JJ is sitting across from Paige and Mrs. Carter as they have what seems like just a casual and candid conversation while they’re leaving the Ralph Lauren show.

Paige asks the standard questions about Mrs. Carter’s background, her years as a professional model, and her position as editor-in-chief at
Couture.

“Yes, I had thought I was retired,” Mrs. Carter says as she reaches for her granddaughter’s hand. “But then Desiree’s—I mean DJ’s, she doesn’t really like being called Desiree…As I was saying, DJ’s mother was killed in a car accident and DJ came to live with me. I saw this gorgeous young girl and I knew that she had real model potential. Not just because she is tall and pretty, but she has the bone structure and, when she stands up straight, the posture and stance. And I knew this girl could really be something.”

DJ laughs so loudly that she snorts. “Except for the small hitch that
this girl
didn’t really want to be a model.”

“That’s true.” Mrs. Carter nods sadly, as if she’s still getting over this. “But I do understand. DJ marches to her own drummer and that’s okay. She’s a wonderful granddaughter and I couldn’t be prouder of her.”

“But you had other girls living in your home too, is that right?” Paige continues.

“Yes. Because of my hopes to groom DJ into—well, you know how that went. And because some other situations arose where other teenage girls had a need for housing, and I had
this overly large Victorian home in Connecticut…well, it just seemed to fall into place. So a couple of years ago, I took five other young women into my home.”

“You had six teenage girls under one roof?” Paige looks shocked.

Mrs. Carter laughs. “It’s true. I had no idea what I was getting into.” Mrs. Carter and DJ take turns regaling us with wild tales of the goings on at Carter House and how the Carter House girls made quite a name for themselves in the local high school. It’s good entertainment. And it makes the hour-long car ride (through snail’s-pace traffic) pass quickly.

The stories continue on through lunch, only now I’m the one behind the camera—attempting to be discreet as I capture this conversation, which Fran is hoping might fill up an entire episode of
On the Runway.
Then, just as we’re considering dessert and coffee, Taylor joins us, and the stories not only continue, but become much more colorful too. It ends up being a three-hour lunch, but as we’re heading off to our rooms, it seems that we’ve all enjoyed it.

On Sunday morning, we do the Marc Jacobs show. This time, our camera guys have press passes and Paige manages to get some pretty hot off-the-cuff interviews, which pleases Fran immensely.

Then on Monday morning it’s cold and drizzly and we get in our town car and head over to a small studio on the edge of the garment district, apparently owned by a designer who’s not having a show for Fashion Week, and there we meet Rhiannon Farley. We already know that Rhiannon is a former Carter House girl and that she is much loved by DJ,
Taylor, and Mrs. Carter. We also know that Rhiannon wants to be a designer and that her mother recently died of a drug overdose.

Rhiannon is the one who lets us into the studio, explaining that she’s the only one here today. “The others are trying to take in as much of Fashion Week as possible.”

“Did we keep you from that?” Paige asks as we go inside.

“No, not really. I mean, I’ll go to some of the shows—our school gets passes and we’re expected to attend. But I hadn’t planned to go to all of them. It’s too overwhelming, not to mention impossible.” Rhiannon looks at us with a puzzled brow and I can tell she wonders why we’re here.

“I’m sorry,” Paige says quickly to recover. Then she goes into a brief introduction and asks if it’s okay for me to use my camera.

Rhiannon still looks confused. “Why?”

Paige reaches in her pocket and hands Rhiannon a card. “I forgot to mention that we’re from—”

“On the Runway
?” Rhiannon’s jaw literally drops. “I’ve heard of this show and I’ve been wanting to see it, but I don’t have a TV in my dorm room. Are you
really
from this show?”

Paige smiles and nods. “And if it’s okay with you, Erin will begin filming until the camera crew arrives. We’d like to do an episode about young designers and what it takes to make it, and we want to feature you.”

“Me?” Rhiannon looks stunned. “Why?”

“Because we’ve heard you’re really talented.” Paige explains what Taylor and Mrs. Carter had said, and then Fran gets Rhiannon to sign the release form. But I can tell she’s still shocked by all this, and I’m wondering if it would’ve been better to give this poor girl some warning. I mean, what if
she wore an outfit she hates today? Although she looks great in her short plaid skirt, black tights, and a lacy white blouse, which I’m guessing might be one of her own creations.

As my camera rolls, I’m trying to capture Rhiannon’s surprised delight as she continues to absorb what’s really going on, but I wish she’d relax a little. It’s as if her words and movements are guarded, like she can’t let down in front of us.

As I focus the camera on her I realize that she’s much shorter than Paige, and although she’s very pretty with her long, curly auburn hair and green eyes, she doesn’t seem like the model type. I mean that as a compliment. But she also doesn’t seem very comfortable (like me) while the camera’s on her. Paige asks Rhiannon some routine questions, and I can tell she’s trying to get Rhiannon to relax.

When the crew finally arrives I make room for them, but I continue to film Rhiannon as she gives us a quick tour of the small studio. Soon, she’s talking about her own designs and what she hopes to achieve, and it’s like she’s suddenly coming to life.

“I want to be a responsible designer,” she says as she holds up an absolutely beautiful dress that’s a combination of all kinds of fabrics and notions and things. It’s kind of a like a patchwork creation, and yet it’s elegant and graceful-looking in varying shades of purple. “I try to use materials that are organic, recycled, and renewable…and I try to make each garment one of a kind.”

“Similar to Granada Greenwear’s mission,” Paige suggests. “Although I must say your styles are completely different. Perhaps more feminine.”

Rhiannon nods. “I adore Granada Greenwear. But, yes, I’d agree, our styles are different.”

“Your designs have a very delicate quality to them,” Paige says as she holds up a sky-blue dress. “Almost fairy-like.”

Rhiannon laughs and her eyes sparkle. “Yes, I’ve heard that before.”

“This is beautiful,” Paige says as she continues to study the blue dress. “I usually go more for the classic contemporary styles, but I think I would wear something like this…if it were the right occasion.” She nods to the rack of other clothes. “Why don’t you show us some more? Tell us about what you were hoping for with each creation, and what inspires you.”

It’s like Paige has somehow managed to flick the switch and Rhiannon comes completely and totally to life. I can tell that this interview is not only going well, but it will look fantastic on film too.

After more than an hour, we finally wind it down. But then Paige gets an idea. “How would you feel if I try on that gorgeous blue dress?” she asks Rhiannon. “To get some footage of it for the show. Is that all right?”

“Are you kidding?” Rhiannon rushes to the get the dress, thrusting it toward Paige. “I would love that!”

So while Paige is changing into the dress and Rhiannon scrambles to find the shoes that she knows will be perfect, we get our cameras ready to roll again. When Paige announces she’s coming out, we are filming. She pushes open the curtains and, not like a striding model but more like a ballerina, she glides out of the fitting room and sort of dances around the studio. “This dress is absolutely amazing,” she says. “I feel almost magical in it. Like I could do ballet or a very lovely waltz.” Then she goes and stands next to Rhiannon. “I’m Paige Forrester from
On the Runway
, standing next to a young woman who I’m certain is going to become a well-known
designer before long. And I am wearing one of her dresses—an original Rhiannon Farley creation. And I am loving it.” She holds out a foot to show a delicate old-fashioned-looking ballerina slipper that’s encrusted with beads, buttons, and other things. “Don’t forget to put your best foot forward, and today it’s a Rhiannon creation. See you next week!”

“Cut,” calls Fran. “That’s a wrap.”

Rhiannon hugs Paige. “Thank you so much.” She actually has tears in her eyes. “You have no idea what this has meant to me.” She fumbles to find a scrap of cloth that she uses to blot her tears. “Even if it doesn’t make it on your show, I’m still—”

“Oh, don’t kid yourself,” Fran is telling Rhiannon. “I have no doubt this is going to make it on our show. It’s one of the most unique and refreshing interviews we’ve done.”

Rhiannon thanks everyone now. Then she turns to Paige. “Please, keep the dress.”

“Keep it?” Paige says lightly. “I already planned to buy it, if that’s okay.”

“No, I want to give it to you.”

“But I want to—”

Rhiannon holds up her forefinger to stop her. “No. You must let me give it to you. I have this very strong feeling—a spiritual feeling—that I need to give it to you. So please let me.”

Paige smiled. “Only if you let me buy the shoes.”

Rhiannon sticks out her hand. “It’s a deal.”

Then we tell Rhiannon about how we’re going to stay with Taylor and Eliza after Fashion Week ends. And I ask if she might be able to pop over while we’re there. “It’d be fun to get to know you better.”

“Are you kidding? I’d love to come.”

So, feeling like we’re all old friends, Paige and I both hug
Rhiannon, and then we head back to our hotel. And I have to say, I don’t think I’ve enjoyed doing a segment for a show as much as the one we did today. Rhiannon is a cool girl. And seeing her response to being on our show gives me hope—like maybe there’s more going on with
On the Runway
than I ever realized.

Later the same afternoon, we attend another designer’s show. And although this guy is an amazing designer, I keep mentally comparing him to Rhiannon and, well, it’s like comparing apples and stardust.

Then on Tuesday we see Kate Spade’s show and afterward we meet Helen for dinner. She tells us that she’s seen footage from last week and that she’s feeling very hopeful. “You girls were right to make this an extended trip in New York. It’s going to be worth the extra expense.”

We all go to the Perry Ellis show on Wednesday afternoon and then to Badgley Mischka on Thursday morning. The final show for Paige and me is Miu Miu on Friday afternoon—and I think if I never see another fashion show, it will be too soon.