My Fashion Show Experience

By: Olivia Brenda

Ever since I was little, fashion has always been a part of my life. One of my earliest memories is joining a fashion show when I was in kindergarten. I don’t remember my exact age, but I still remember the place: Matahari Mall. I still remember what I was wearing: a red top with matching red stockings, a black mini skirt with feathers, and matching black feathered boots. On top of that, I wore a fluffy brown-cream vest. My hair was styled in multiple braids, almost like a mini cornrow hairstyle. I honestly don’t really remember what happened before I performed, but I know I walked on a real catwalk… and after the show, my family and I went shopping because—of course—it was inside a mall. I get to buy some snacks as a reward after performing.

When I was in elementary school, I joined another fashion show at school. At Pontianak City’s birthday celebration, I wore a traditional kebaya for the fashion show competition at my school. I wasn’t prepared at all because my teacher didn’t choose me for the competition. My teacher chose my friend but she didn’t come. She suddenly chose me and I got on the stage the second she told me to. I made a mistake because I didn’t know anything, no rehearsal and just got on stage. The stage was T shaped, I didn’t know that me and my partner actually needed to separate to different side to side. But, we didn’t separate. I accidentally followed my partner so we both walked together to both sides of the stage. And I still remember that moment when I made the mistake and my heart beat dropped. 

But the little mistake turns out a little cute. All the audience loved it and the MC said “Aww, they can’t be separated”. And, I didn’t expect that I actually won, even though I don’t remember which place I got. Because parents weren’t allowed inside the event, so there were no photos, I only have a picture of me with the kebaya in our car. But I still remember feeling proud and excited to tell my parents. I got an orange pencil case as a reward from my school.

Then when I was in elementary school too, I joined another fashion show at Unit Taman Budaya (Performing arts theater in Pontianak). I didn’t win this one, but the experience was still fun. I wore a winter-themed outfit with a black and tosca coat with white furs on the hat part, a black top, a red mini skirt, knee-high black socks, and black heeled boots. I strongly remember standing in line backstage, waiting for my turn. My heart was beating so fast because I was nervous. And when it’s my turn, I finally stepped on the stage, the floor was uneven and I almost slipped — but luckily I managed to save myself and keep walking like nothing happened.

No matter the result, my mom always gave me a reward after every show. That made me really happy and taught me that effort matters more than winning. I also received a trophy just for joining, which made little me feel so proud.

These moments shaped me more than I realized. Growing up, I was always on stage — whether it was for singing, fashion shows, or dancing — and that helped me build my confidence from a young age. My mom also loved dressing me stylishly, and I think that influenced my current fashion taste. Until now, I still love stylish and cute outfits, and especially wearing boots. Fashion has been part of my life since I was a kid, and those childhood experiences play a big role in why I express myself through style today.