Suffolk University alum Katelyn Norwood took to the runway to walk for some of the city’s local designers in this year’s Boston Fashion Awards.
The Oct. 2 event at the Omni Boston Hotel in Seaport included a runway show, fashion achievement awards, live performances and a showcase from 10 designers and boutiques.
Though Katelyn was a dancer for 11 years, she wasn’t used to the big lights of the runway.
“I’ve done a little editorial work. I was on a billboard for Suffolk in South Station for a year. I’ve done nothing in terms of runway. This is where the imposter syndrome hits. All I could think of was that I was new,” said Norwood.
She found the opportunity through a post from a photographer on Instagram. Bogosplit, a Boston retailer who displays local designers’ work, had posted an open casting call for the Boston Fashion Awards.
Norwood admitted that while driving to the event, she almost turned around when she reached her exit. Everything changed for her once the process for the show started.
“Being around that passionate energy, you kind of just consume that and start feeling really passionate. Whether you’re nervous or not, you have hit the runway and you’ve got to go for it. I can also confirm that I did not fall,” Norwood said, laughing.
Morgan Mitcheson, a 2023 Suffolk graduate and friend of Norwood, was also at the awards to bring her some support. This came after the two promised to keep up with their local involvement after graduating. From taking dance classes together to supporting a friend on the runway, the pair are proud of where they are.
“She’d never done anything like that before. She got a call a week before the show and then asked me to be her plus one. It was nice to see her start all anxious, then seeing her walk down the runway. It was really cool,” said Mitcheson.
Norwood owed some of her courage to another friend, Chryssabella Craig, a 2022 Suffolk graduate who started modeling earlier this year. After hearing about the open casting call, Craig told Norwood that she had to at least try.
Norwood said that this encouragement really helped her get out of her comfort zone.
After the awards, she had time to reflect on her first time working with designers and crew.
“Everyone was super welcoming and you could tell that everyone wanted to be there. It’s obvious that people in this industry are super passionate about what they do. Being around that passionate energy, you kind of just consume that,” said Norwood.
Craig agreed and said that even though there was a lot of running around, she had a lot of fun and that the designers put her in amazing clothing that made her feel great.
Norwood left advice for Suffolk students who might be curious about the fashion industry but might not be confident enough to try.
“You have to find how you want to get into it and I think fashion requires you to be bold. You have to take that chance,” said Norwood.
The Boston Fashion Awards showcased diverse designs spanning across different cultures and local creativity. Even though Boston is not well known for its fashion scene, Norwood is hopeful for its future.
“Fashion and diversity are one and the same. Where there’s diversity, there’s fashion,” said Norwood.
