Last week I had the absolute PLEASURE of attending this year’s Texture on the Runway, hosted by Naturally Curly and Sally Beauty. TOTR is part fashion show, part cocktail party, and part natural/curly hair meetup – all in one event! It is probably the most high profile event of the year for the natural hair world, so I was ecstatic to get an invite this year.
My friend and I took a bus up from DC the morning of, and ended up BOOKING it from our bus stop to our AirBnB in Brooklyn once we arrived. We didn’t have very much time in between getting to Manhattan and going to the event, so we had to rush to get food, get ready and get an uber back to the city. To top it off, it was hot AF so everything was a struggle!!
By the time we got to the event, my excitement was at an all time high! I couldn’t even look at Instagram on the way over, because seeing everyone who arrived before me was giving me anxiety!! Luckily, even though we arrived about twenty minutes late, it turned out that we arrived at exactly the right time – RIGHT before it started pouring! We took a few pics outside before going in to the main event.
At the entrance, I gave my name and went inside, then turned around to see my friend was having trouble getting in. For some reason, her name was not on the list even though she had a ticket! After a few minutes of *politely* arguing and pleading with the door lady who was not tryna let her in – which almost sent me into a panic – we finally asked the director herself and she let my friend in. PHEW!! After all that stress, it was time to get a drink. We were elated to find out that there was an open bar all night!
Before the runway show started, we spent about half an hour getting a lay of the land, mingling, and taking pics in the main picture room that was set up with props and backdrops galore. Some of the set ups include a giant hot pink balloon wall, and a mini treadmill that was set up with a green screen so you could take a video that came out looking like you were walking on the runway!
The runway show itself was MIND blowing! Each haircare brand that sponsored the event not only had a booth in the main hall, but put on its own mini-show with a unique theme. Some of the themes included cultures around the world, New Orleans-style second line, and the jungle. I don’t know which was my favorite – each one was better than the last! They all played music to go along with their theme, and some of the songs definitely had everyone dancing (that could have also been thanks to the open bar…)
Once the show ended, pretty much no one left! As typical influencers do, we all stuck around to take a million more pics and make new friends. Throughout the night, I met TONS of dope curly/natural hair girls from all over the country, including some that I have been following for a while and am a huge fan of! Best of all, we each left with a HUGE swag bag, stuffed with full sized products from all the participating brands (Shea Moisture, Carol’s Daughter, Creme of Nature, Mielle Organics, ORS Curls Unleashed, As I Am Naturally, The Mane Choice, Camille Rose Naturals). I think they secretly gave us that bag to get us out of the building – it was freaking heavy! No way anyone wanted to stick around holding onto that heavy ass bag!
Overall, the whole experience met and exceeded my expectations. The only thing I would change for next year is to drive up to Brooklyn so I don’t have to lug that bag across the city to get on the bus back to DC! I probably would also dress up more – I liked my outfit but I would have put on something more boujee if I realized that would be the vibe there! Until then, I will be cherishing the memories from this year and sampling the products from the swag bag, since it will literally take me a year to try them all. 💕
*All photos by Arnold Farmer or Tiff*
Ooohhh. I’ll have to try to go next year!!