Orlando Fashion Week: Confidence Looks Good on Everybody

There is something special about seeing an idea that once existed only in your head suddenly walking down a runway.

For Orlando Fashion Week, I had the opportunity to bring two sides of my creativity together — designing this collection of swimwear and then stepping behind the camera to photograph the finished pieces on the runway. Seeing each look come to life on different models, with different personalities and their own way of carrying the clothes, was one of those experiences that reminded me why I love creating in the first place.

The collection was never meant to say that there is one “right” way to wear swimwear.

Quite the opposite.

Some people feel incredible in a bikini. Some would rather throw on an oversized shirt, a pair of loose shorts or a cover-up. Maybe you love a high-waisted bottom. Maybe you want something sporty. Maybe you want something bold enough to turn heads the second you walk onto the beach. Maybe showing a little less makes you feel far more confident.

All of those choices are valid.

Because style should meet you where you are comfortable — not where somebody else thinks you should be.

One of the things I loved most about creating these pieces was playing with the idea that swimwear doesn't necessarily have to stop at the swimsuit.

A bikini top can become part of an outfit. Swim shorts can be paired with an open shirt. A one-piece can work almost like a bodysuit.

Layers can be added when you want them and left behind when you don't.

You can dress it up.

You can dress it down.

You can cover up.

You can show some skin.

And you don't owe anyone an explanation for any of it.

The best outfit is very often the one that lets you forget about the outfit altogether — because you're comfortable enough to actually enjoy where you are.

Somewhere along the way, we were sold this strange idea that summer arrives with an entrance requirement.

Get ready for swimsuit season.

Get your beach body.

Lose this. Tone that. Hide this part. Show that one.

I'd rather retire the whole conversation.

If you have a body and you're going to the beach, congratulations:

you already have a beach body.

You don't need to earn the right to wear a swimsuit.

You don't need a certain waistline, height, age, shape or clothing size before you're allowed to feel beautiful.

And confidence doesn't always mean being the person wearing the smallest swimsuit in the room, either. Sometimes confidence is a string bikini. Sometimes confidence is a one-piece with a cover-up. Sometimes it's swim trunks and an open shirt. Sometimes it's simply wearing something you genuinely like without spending the entire day wondering what everyone else thinks.

That's the kind of confidence I'm interested in.

The kind that comes from feeling like yourself.

Through My Lens

Photographing the collection at Orlando Fashion Week gave me another perspective on the designs.

As a photographer, I'm always watching for expression, movement and those little flashes of personality that happen within a much bigger moment. A runway gives you only seconds with each look, but in those seconds you see so much — confidence, concentration, attitude, nerves, playfulness and individuality.

And that individuality is what makes the photographs interesting.

The clothing may belong to the same collection, but it doesn't look exactly the same on any two people.

It isn't supposed to.

Fashion becomes personal the moment somebody puts it on.

That's something I hope carries through both my design work and my photography with Life in Print. I'm far more interested in celebrating the person in front of my camera than trying to make everyone fit into the same version of beautiful.

There is already more than enough pressure in the world telling us how we're supposed to look.

Wear what you love.

Wear as much or as little as makes you comfortable.

Take up the space.

Get in the photograph.

Go to the pool.

Walk onto the beach.

And enjoy your life now — not someday when you think your body has finally become worthy of it.

Because summer isn't reserved for one body type.

Fashion isn't reserved for one body type.

Photography isn't reserved for one body type.