The Free Box Fashion Show

Monday 4:00 pm, I walk into Huxley (the largest meeting room at Esalen), and I see Mac building the stage. 4x8 feet sheets of wood about two feet high, colored in blue. It looked large and “chubby”. I wanted a more slender look to allow for voluptuousness to walk on it freely.
We rearranged the stage to a T shape, with a little round finish at the tip. We didn’t have much to work with. This was a production made of all we can gather from the kindness of others.
Kyleigh and myself, the organizers of this fashion show, were intending to make it a fun and good-looking fashion show, a celebration, an evening of light and festivities.

Esalen has a beautiful concept that functions amazingly – the free box. There are two spots near both laundry centers, where people are welcome to leave anything they no longer need. Mostly clothes and accessories occupy the space, but one might find books, DVD’s, a speaker, cream, make up and many other surprises.
It is a spot of free exchange. No need to throw away. What doesn’t fit you today might be just right for me. Got tired of that dress, leave it in the free box; someone will make good use of it. Whatever is not taken within a month goes to goodwill, a big store for used clothing.

So this fashion show is not about buying expensive clothes, not about showing off the latest trend, but about expressing, about reusing, being creative, and pushing the edge.
Pearl brought us fabrics that we used as a shining drape for a backdrop and as a skirt for the whole stage. A long rope light dressed the upper edge of the stage, colored gels were added to the spotlights already hanging, Christmas light were thrown under the stage behind the fabric to add sparkle, and Anthony shared some of his DJ party lights.

While setting up, Susan was playing some fun tunes for us, others were giving a hand in setting pillows around for the audience, last minute recruiting of hair and make up talent to help those getting ready, and even a few people just trying out the catwalk.

After dinner Huxley was full of people. The office, and bookstore were converted into back stage dressing rooms, and the action was happening. A fabulous woman that in daily life appears as a powerful man, the hippies and 60’s group representing the origins of Esalen, the glittery shining group with sparkles and sequences, The Gods and Goddesses with other mythology creators walking with glory, the ultra sexy people that came up and shared their love, the Burlesque act and the Esalen Parade.
The music was rocking, the crowd was cheering, and the runway walkers performing, the whole room felt like a celebration, a beautiful feast of lights, décor and glamor, of hand made outfits that looked so delicious, of human potential living life, revealing its love for joy and party.

Thank you all who helped make this happen, Great feedback was still floating around a week after.