A Night at the Carnival - A Lingerie Fashion Show

Image: Forever Yours Lingerie 

To be honest, clowns, juggling of any kind, and face paint generally scares the shit out of me. But last Saturday night's sold out Forever Yours Lingerie A Night at the Carnival A Lingerie Fashion Show was so entertaining all you could feel was excitement and joy! And I didn't scream (in fear) once. Besides, who screams in fear at model Elly Mayday strutting her stuff as a lumberjack?! Although... she was swinging around a glittery axe for a while...

Model: Elly Mayday
Image by: Pinupz & Burlesque

This particular event was pretty near and dear to my heart. As some of you know aside from assisting with Pin-up Perfection Photography I have been working in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver for the past 8 years. The purpose of this fashion show was to create awareness and raise money for the Forever Yours Lingerie charity Supportive Start. A charity that not only gives women in need gently used bras and new underwear but their team will actually go into the shelters/transitional homes and fit each women with a bra so the women have the same experience that you would have in store. Many of us, luckily, have never had to face the reality of never having worn a clean/new pair of underwear, but for several women wearing used underwear or simply going without is their reality. Supportive Start also helps by donating boxes of toiletries and sanitary products which is just as important as clothing. If you couldn't make it to the event you can stop by the store located in Langley and donate your bras to their dropbox. See the Supportive Start webpage for more information.

Forever Yours Lingerie - Supportive Start Logo

Now, onto the good stuff!!!

As you entered the Cascades Casino to pick up your goodie bag you were then ushered up the escalator and greeted by the beautiful Shimona Henry the photographer behind Pin-up Perfection Photography on the red carpet to snap your photo on the media backdrop. Then you were treated to a complimentary glass of Organic wine provided by Kalala Organic Estate Winery. You also couldn't help but be enamoured and put under a spell by the lingerie clad women giving out temporary tattoos, selling raffle tickets or games to play such as a human pop-a-balloon. Dice games. You name it, Forever Yours Lingerie had your Night at the Carnival covered. Then the Ringmaster for the night The Purrrfessor (the co-host of Kitty Nights West) announces that it is show time! 

The Purrrfessor
Image by: Forever Yours Lingerie

As you step into the hall you cannot help but notice the amazing decorations and the stage set up that

made you actually feel like you were swept away for a magical night under the big top. Then the Purrrfessor brings out two beautiful tap dancers that wow the crowd to the music of Babyface Brass all while demonstrating how their Kix'ies Thigh Highs did not budge the entire time they were dancing. INCREDIBLE! Go get a pair now!

Kix'ies Tap Dancers and The Purrrfessor
Image by: Forever Yours Lingerie

Then on to the fashion! The first act "Welcome to the Big Top" the models are performers and circus animals wearing the most beautiful lingerie and gorgeous men in their SAXX underwear. "Around the World" is the title of the second segment where the models represent different countries around the world through their lingerie and props. The first half of the show ends with a segment called, "Let's All Go to the Lobby" which was probably my favorite segment. The costumes and props that Forever Yours Lingerie imagined up were incredible. Dixie Delight and Derek F open the segment and the come strutting out as the cutest diner waiter/waitress I have ever seen! And all the other models follow suit with ice cream skirts made with hula-hoops, lollipops, and a model dawning a junior mints hat. Well played Forever Yours! Well played.

Models: Dixie Delight and Derek F.
"Lets All Go to the Lobby"
Image: Forever Yours Lingerie

Time for a quick intermission so people can wet their whistles and play some more games to win some fun prizes or the coveted blue tickets to hopefully win some of the door prizes which included bras from Chantelle, Coquette, and my personal fave Panache. Then the Purrrfessor calls for the second half of the show to start, and the magic begins. 

Juggler Matt Henry
Image by: Forever Yours Lingerie

A juggler, Matt Henry opens the show, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats and watching in awe. Followed by his flawless performance is the segment appropriately named "Fun and Games". The lingerie in this segment was so fantastic as were the costumes. Forever Yours really out did themselves this year when it came to all the fascinators and costuming they did.

Models: Shawna Michelle and Vanessa
Image by: Forever Yours Lingerie 

Following the"Fun and Games" segment was probably the most mesmerizing burlesque performance I have ever seen. And from the way the crowd watched Voracious V move along the stage in fluid movement I would say they were completely enchanted by her.

Performer: Voracious V
Image by: Forever Yours Lingerie

Now you are probably asking how do you follow up a performance like that? Well with "Black Magic" of course! This segment was a little bit of black velvet meets rock and roll, and oh did it look so good. What can I say? I am a total sucker for black lingerie. 

Model: Leah LusciousNess
Image by: Forever Yours Lingerie

The final performer of the night takes the stage to show you how hula hooping is done and how you have been doing it wrong for years. Jessie Rockley contorts her body and is able to keep 4 hula hoops moving at all times. She makes it look far too easy, and all I can think is, "I can't even keep one up. This girl has some skills!"

Hula Hooper: Jessie Rockley
Image by: Forever Yours Lingerie

Following Jessie's hula hooping routine is the "Light Up the Night" segment. I am sitting in the back row a chair away from our own glitter queen Emma Meow who freaks out and tells us all to shut up because the Purrrfessor mentions that there will be a black light. Well they turn the lights down and out come the models! Their lingerie and bathing suits glowing in the black light. Such a fun segment. And too boot model Stela Licina is rocking a glow in the dark dick on her back. Immediately the crowd laughs. What a character. To end the show all the models come out in their glowing outfits and have a small dance party on the runway. 

Finale!
Image by: Forever Yours Lingerie

Forever Yours Lingerie Team
Photo by: Pin-up Perfection Photography

To end this lengthy blog off, this was the most fun I have had at a fashion show in a long time. Generally I am behind the stage this time I got to enjoy all of it. So a huge thank you to Sonya at Forever Yours Lingerie for inviting the Pin-up Perfection Photography team and allowing us to enter the big top for one very memorable, magical night.

Helly Hepburn and Shimona Henry of Pin-up Perfection Photography

xo,

Helly Hepburn