Olivia Pearson’s “Hear Me Roar” Fashion Show

On November 11, 2011, around 6:30pm I walked out onto the runway, nervous and excited for it to start; I received a few last comments of encouragement from Eden, the DJ, and then, I grabbed the microphone.  I faced the audience- Just breathe; just breathe, Olivia, it is going to be great.  You have to be strong for the women…

Welcome, I’d like to thank you all for coming to support these women.  These women are truly spectacular and frankly, the most gorgeous models you will ever meet or see.  When they stop and face you guys (the audience), I need you to give them your full support. I need you to hoot, and I need you to holler.  After a few more comments, thank-you’s, and acknowledgements, I walked off the runway.  I was backstage, with the models and the stylists in complete silence, waiting for the opening song by Jordin Sparks, “I am Woman”, to start. I stood against the wall and stared, one by one, into the eyes of every model who was waiting to strut her stuff in front of each audience member.  Finally, the music started, and the first model walked out onto the runway…I sighed with relief and then flashed the biggest smile that I have ever smiled in my entire life- it was finally happening.  I had done it; I had completed the impossible, and now, the women, the strong group of 30 women whom I had fallen in love with, were going to receive the benefits of Hear Me Roar.

Hear Me Roar was a charity fashion that that I planned to support the empowerment of women and to increase awareness of women’s situational struggles.  The models of the show were current and ex-residents of two local Arizona organizations: Chicanos Por La Causa and UMOM.  The women from Chicanos Por La Causa were ex-residents of their domestic violence unit, De Colores, and the young women from UMOM were current residents of their assisted living facilities to prevent homelessness. The goal of my show was to provide the women with a night where they could have fun, feel fabulous, and show the world what they have to offer.  They needed to know that they are beautiful, even though they might be going through a rough time at the current moment, they are not going to be there forever.  I believe by helping the women find their confidence, even if it was for a brief moment, it encourages them to continue their fight, not only towards normalcy but greatness.  Hear Me Roar was an opportunity for the beautiful women from these organizations to strut their stuff in confidence and say to the audience, “Hear Me Roar”.