Being a fashion model for a day in 1987 Los Angeles, California


Yep, that's me, standing there waving while an audience looks at the clothes that I'm modeling. And this falls into the category of "did people really do that kinda stuff back then?" And since I was there, I can say yes they did, but if you remain skeptical, I really can't blame you.

Stay with me on this, because it really had nothing to do with me, I was just one of the "dashing and dapper escorts" wearing a tuxedo, who escorted the beautiful girls onto the stage to show off their beautiful clothes. Sadly, I don't have a photo of me in a tux, which would have been nice, as it was the only time that I ever wore one.

The whole point of the fashion show was just to show people who worked in the building what they could go buy at the mall next door. Yes, that was a thing. And the guys, like me, were just so much background for the girls - you know, like the men in the background of Marilyn Monroe in "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend", or if you're not old enough to remember that, Madonna in "Material Girl". If you're not old enough to have ever seen that, I understand, this is pretty ancient history.


No one had to ask me twice to volunteer to hang out with the most beautiful girls in the building, and wearing a tux wasn't difficult, it's just like a suit but with a bowtie (I'm guessing that someone tied it on me, or it clipped on). To my surprise they decided to have me model a leather jacket, which I was told to wear up on stage and then take off. The outfit was nothing that I would ever wear, not only because the jacket weighed a ton, but those "balloon pants" were just ridiculous. But remember that this was the eighties, and that style was becoming popular.

I really don't remember who took the photos, but I'm guessing that it was my girlfriend at the time, who also worked in the same building. And I do wish that I could remember more, but I really can't. Chances are that if I didn't have the old photos I would have forgotten about it a long time ago. I never got a call from Hollywood, or a modeling agency, but that's OK, I just liked being a graphic designer - and only a fashion model for a day.

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