YOU ARE ENOUGH.

BY NICOLE HEROUX WILLIAMS I PHOTOS BY NSP STUDIO

The night before, the first plus only couture show in the history of NYFW happened, so there was an incredible museum display with plus dresses shown by top shelf designers (Balenciaga, D&G). I was absolutely blown away by a raw silk fuchsia ruffled dress with a train by designer Azeeza. My friend and supermodel Christina Mendes was wearing it and it floated around her like a magical high fashion puff. I attended the launch tea with my Model bestie Silvana Denker (creator

of the world-famous BodyLove

By Silvana Denker campaign),

and we both got photographed by a Getty photographer, and placed in the database with Getty credits.

Shortly after, all the models who attended the launch were invited to a deeply discounted trunk show, and even though I couldn’t really afford it, I bought THAT dress! I just had to. I wore her once to a photoshoot that was published in Paris in avant-garde high fashion, diversity magazine Volup2 (founded by Rochester native Velvet D’Amour) but basically she hung around in my closet for a few years.

When I got engaged and it was time to look for a wedding dress, I immediately went to my good friend and tremendous designer, Ali Eagen at made by anatomy. I had modeled her wedding dresses many times before over the years so I knew the kinds of customization she was capable of. She went just as wild over the dress as I did, and we had so much opened out the shoulders to create a V-neck line. She then constructed tulip flutter sleeves in the same color chiffon because the wedding was in mid-October, so I wanted covered shoulders. Then she asked me what I thought about a Cape. At first I wasn’t so sure, because the back of the dress is knockout, stunning, but she told me she’s always dreamed of designing a cape, and never had a chance to. So I said “Go for it! I trust you completely, you make the cape that is your heart’s delight!” I consulted on it with her once or twice, but it really was her own creation. She made the cape detachable, so I took it off during the reception; and the really cool thing is, I can wear it again! When I make my solo debut with the BPO, you better bet that cape is going to be on top of whatever dress I’m wearing. It was a pleasure to let Ali make the Cape of her dreams, and to see her get creative with it. It meant the world to me! so I knew I wouldn’t have to worry about those extra pounds. In other words, no starving myself to get into my wedding dress.

We removed the halter neck, and

I’m really into flamingos and we got engaged in the flamingo boats on Delaware Lake, so this hot pink color was very meaningful for us. Moreover, little did I know it would become THE color of the year, causing both Versace and especially Valentino

“I was absolutely blown away by a raw silk fuchsia ruffled dress with a train by designer Azeeza. My friend and supermodel Christina Mendes was wearing it and it floated around her like a magical high fashion puff.” to come out with entire lines in this exact color. And I’ll tell you I saw a lot of people in head to toe in fuchsia at fashion week last September.

My make-up artist was the phenomenal CE Eaton, Chantel is truly an enchanting artist. For my hair, my 30-year friend Rica Mendes from college came out from Connecticut for my Bardot bouffant, and then attend my wedding! The headpiece was bought from my good friend Nicole Davis of Francí Jewelry, another international fashion week superstar. Many talented women worked on this dress with me, and for me.

Last but not least? The shoes. I was going back-and-forth on what color to wear, but Ali said to go whole hog matchy matchy, so I found a pair in the exact same matching shade of hot pink! And it’s one of the things people commented on the most. This dress is true couture. From the runways of London and New York Fashion Week to walking the aisle at my wedding… what an amazing journey we went on together!

MEANINGFUL for us. Moreover, little did I know it would become COLOR of the year.