True story: I still get nervous in front of the camera, especially if there’s a “high risk” chance of passersby seeing me strut my stuff. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like i’m an internationally acclaimed model or high profile bitch of any sort. I’m just talking about the various times me and my pal Sam furtively glance around and drop our bags on the sidewalk, after which I (sometimes awkwardly) attempt to vogue and mince like nobody’s watching. And often, no one is.
Except in damn New York City.
MAN that place was hard to do a casual photoshoot, especially in Manhattan (although Brooklyn was gloriously easy)! Before I fulfilled my lifelong dream of taking a huge bite out of that delicious big apple, my only exposure to the setting of Manhattan was from all the usual pop culture components of a gal born in the 80’s… formatively: Home Alone 2, Seinfeld and Sex and the City. Well, those things and ALL THE AMAZING BLOGGERS who take their photos on busy corners of the city, effortlessly looking like “what, girl… what.” It’s as if the city is the Red Sea, and has been parted just for those girls and their blog photos. Damn them.
Because of these things, I was kind of naive about the realities of how EPICALLY BUSY that glorious city is! It literally never sleeps, and during peak hours I swear you can actually feel it pulsing and heaving with energy and freneticism. Trust me, I’ve been in that epicentre on New Year’s Eve. YIKES.
The particular day that these photos were taken, Sam and I had adventured for over an hour, waiting for the perfect opportunity to snavel a vaguely low-traffic spot for photos. We walked the entire length of the High Line (a 1.45 mile/2.33 km park built on an elevated strip of disused train line) and across into the Garment District before I realised we were very quickly losing afternoon light amongst the multitude of skyscrapers. “FUCK IT, let’s just do some photos here”, I said (as if I wasn’t intimidated), and threw my backpack on the ground near the corner of a busy intersection around 37th and 8th. (Yeah, I just drop intersection names like that… *flips hair*)
You know my whole “fake it till you make it” mantra? Well, boy did I put that to the test that day. I decided to just focus in on Sam and the camera, and pretend that we were the only 2 people in that glorious city. And my extreme level of concentration was kind of working until all of a sudden a HUGE ROAR of cheers and things to the effect of “GET IT, GIRL!” came from across the road.
Blushing furiously, I looked over the road to spy a congregation of about 30 women leaning against the building, surrounded by luggage and suitcases (obviously waiting on a bus) – and they were CHEERING ME ON! My initial reaction was extreme embarrassment, and since I didn’t know how to handle the situation I just went back to working the camera – albeit an even brighter shade of red. And with each new pose, came a new round of cheers and applause! These women of all shapes, sizes, colours and ages were sending me, a random Aussie in a techno-colour big bird jacket, love and encouragement from across a busy street in New York City.
Fucking hell, I love that city.
OUTFIT DETAILS
JACKET: Isolated Heroes, who are not technically a plus size brand, but who MARVELLOUSLY do custom measurements at any size!! My only advice (as with all custom places that do not specialise in fatshion, I have discovered) is to add a few cms to your measurements if you want an oversized piece to actually fit oversize. I foolishly didn’t do that with this jacket, and the cut is very different to how it looks on their straight size model. You live, you learn! This colour seems to be sold out, but they have a limited edition pink and lilac version!!
DRESS: Interrobang Art & Fashion, via Etsy. The hologram version seems to be sold out, but the silver skater dress is very similar and just as delightful!
TIGHTS: They are actually Teggings, from my beloved ReDress!
BOOTS: Urbanog. Seemingly no longer available and apparently not hard to find?! There are some similar silver ankle boots here, and adorable sandals here. And a variety of rad holographic shoes on Storenvy, found here (RAINBOWS!), here and here!
SOCKS: Although you can’t see them, they are rainbow ICE CREAM and they are made by Living Royal!
EARRINGS: from this Etsy seller
NECKLACE: The UFO Museum in Roswell, New Mexico.
SEPTUM FLOWER: Dollskill and is sold out, but they always have heaps of cool faux septum pieces!
