Briella Takes You Behind-the-Runway at NYFW!

I am not graceful, 5'10" or 110 pounds, but this past Saturday, I was all three. I love playing pretend almost as much as I love being blinded by camera flashes, so you can imagine my excitement when I was asked to walk in the Reality of Fashion, Reality of AIDS Fashion Show. Not only did I get to meet other TV personalities like myself, but I also had the honor of supporting a great cause that I hold near and dear to my heart. So, what was my day like? Beautifully chaotic but worth it.

Jessica and I arrived at the Altman Building in New York City early that morning not really knowing what to expect. We are both very scattered by nature, and the room we walked into wasn't much different. We quickly saw Tracy and kissed her hello as she was getting her hair curled. I noticed a bunch of familiar faces from some of my fave reality shows, like Tiffany (a.k.a. New York) from I Love New York, Deena and Sammi from Jersey Shore and my girl Ramona from Mob Wives. Jessica and I set our stuff down and hung out in the VIP holding space while I attempted to find something to eat that didn't used to be alive. Thankfully, I succeeded and didn't pass out from food deprivation—that would have been awkward.
 
My hairstylist was a talented Aries who insisted on making sure that I loved my hair. I picked out this fabulous old Hollywood style, and she quickly started pin curling away. As my curls were spinning, I started a convo with New York about my love for press-on nails, and she showed me her fabulous full-set with pride. Damn, her nails were sparkly! I was complaining about my current claws. She offered to repaint them for me, but I had no nail polish with me, so my dreams were instantly crushed. Oh, well.

I later walked into a much happier, semi-liquored up holding room with a totally changed vibe. The beauty squad was running very behind, so I made the executive decision to do my own makeup. I'm very particular with my face anyway, so I plopped myself in the middle of the floor, whipped out my tools and painted away. At the same time, I bonded with my girl Elizabeth from Tough Love. She's funny as hell and a total doll who looks like Theresa (Barbie's BFF).

Some of the stars I knew personally, while some I only knew of, so it was interesting being in their vicinity. The star I was really itching to meet was Janice Dickinson. Can you believe that she actually introduced herself to me? I told her that I loved her book, Everything About Me is Fake ... and I'm Perfect, and she loved that. She's nutty, but fabulously nutty in the best way possible.
 
Soon after that, I had a revelation about someone there: Lil' Kim calls herself Lil' Kim because she is indeed very little. I'm talking shorter than my homegirl Snooki. Lil' Kim is also impossible to get close to—girl has like five bodyguards. If it sounds like I'm hating, I'm not—I'm just stating. She seemed cool from what I saw from afar, and I really wanted to break through her team of protection and confess my love for her song, "How Many Licks," but I held my composure. Breezy, after all, is a lady.

Now, on to my attire. I couldn't fit into the dress I was originally fitted to wear because the stylist stitched it too small. (I couldn't have possibly gained ten pounds in a week, could I?) The dress I ended up wearing was very Xena: Warrior Princess-meets-vanilla cupcake. I couldn't figure out if I was 100 percent into it or not, but models aren't supposed to have opinions, so I quickly got over it and put a smile on my face. I anxiously waited backstage to walk the runway, and my hands were majorly glistening. (Okay, they were sweating.) I have terrible stage fright, but I Sasha Fierced it and worked that runway like I owned it. Having cameras flashing and all eyes on me was intimidating but amazing at the same time. What a rush!
 
I felt incredible joining forces with other celebs to support such an important cause. I don't know if I necessarily liked everyone I met that day, but we all shared a really meaningful experience supporting something metaphorically bigger than our implants or 15 minutes of fame could ever be. I feel insanely blessed and honored to have been a part of the show. It was an experience I will never ever forget.

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