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Writer's pictureMelissa

Ready or Hot: Rock the Runway 2024

Updated: May 7

On Feb 28th this year we were the personal stylists for the 2nd year in a row for Planned Parenthood's annual event, Ready or Hot. I can't tell you enough that this is one of the best events we've been able to be a part of. Not only is it fun, but we meet so many wonderful people in the community and it's so gratifying to be a part of an organization that helps patients and makes a difference.


What is Ready or Hot

If you aren't familiar with Ready or Hot:


"It's a radically inclusive, body-positive fashion show celebrating bold self-expression, the beauty and power of our community, and the vital work of Planned Parenthood North Central States.

This is not your traditional runway show. Ready or Hot models are people of all shapes, sizes, ages, genders, and races who are doing cool things in the Twin Cities. They represent the diverse beauty, passion, and dedication for our community and reproductive freedom."

(from readyorhot.org website)


As personal stylists, our job is to ensure our clients look and feel great while also showcasing who they are as a person. We met with each community model and not only got to know them personally, but we also honed in how THEY WANTED to feel on the runway. Some of them used adjectives like "comfy and cozy, but elevated" while some models gave us a celebrity that they were inspired by - Stevie Nicks was a popular one this year while last year was Harry Styles. Using our creativity to bring their vision to life is beyond fun and can sometimes be a challenge, but in a good way! It keeps us on our toes 😉


Fashion Show Looks From Ready or Hot 2024

All of the following looks are from the fashion show and for sale. I highly suggest that you take the time to check out these local designers and boutiques and support their small businesses❤️ The models pictured are also people who are within the Twin Cities community and as Planned Parenthood said, "are doing cool things!" So let's start the slideshow with Minnesota's very own, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan!



Peggy Flanagan modeling at Ready or Hot wearing a red jacket, red cowboy boots, floral top and wrap skirt with red native jewelry
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan / Red jacket, Floral Top, Wrap Mini Skirt: The Fitting Room / Custom Jewelry: Jaida's Beadwork / Peggy's inspo: Iris Apfel

Peggy Flanagan modeling at Ready or Hot wearing a red jacket, red cowboy boots, floral top and wrap skirt with red native jewelry


Hayley Matthews-Jones from Minneapolis Vintage Market modeling at Ready or Hot wearing a black and white dress from Cake Plus-size Resale and hat from The Fitting Room paired with a yellow handbag by Arway Bag
Hayley Matthews-Jones, CEO & Founder of Minneapolis Vintage Market & Craft Markets / Dress: Cake Plus-Size Resale / Hat: The Fitting Room / Handbag: Arway Bags / Hayley's inspo: Zendaya

Hayley Matthews-Jones from Minneapolis Vintage Market modeling at Ready or Hot wearing a black and white dress from Cake Plus-size Resale and hat from The Fitting Room paired with a yellow handbag by Arway Bag


Larissa Loden wearing a rose crocheted vest with long sleeve black shirt, black sheer maxi tulle skirt, boots and Larissa Loden Jewelry
Larissa Loden, CEO & Founder of Larissa Loden Jewelry / Crochet Vest: The Fitting Room / Tulle Skirt: RETHINK by Kristen McCoy / Larissa's inspo: Phoebe Bridgers

Larissa Loden wearing a rose crocheted vest with long sleeve black shirt, black sheer maxi tulle skirt, boots and Larissa Loden Jewelry


Senator Clare Oumou-Verbeten wearing a patterned jumpsuit from D. NOLO, red handbag from Arway Bags and jewelry by Nashipai
Sen. Clare Oumou-Verbeten / Jumpsuit: D.NOLO / Jewelry: Nashipai / Handbag: Arway Bags / Clare's inspo: to embrace her African heritage

Senator Clare Oumou-Verbeten wearing a patterned jumpsuit from D. NOLO, red handbag from Arway Bags and jewelry by Nashipai


Lucia Sarmiento modeling at Ready or Hot wearing a teal velvet dress from Jenny in the City with gold necklace and earrings by Nashipai
Lucia Sarmiento, Musician / Velvet Dress & Necklace: Jenny in the City / Earrings: Nashipai / Lucia's inspo: JLo


Russell Betts from Minneapolis Foundation modeling at Ready or Hot wearing brown plaid suit from Serge + Jane
Russell Betts, Philanthropic Advisor at Minneapolis Foundation / Suit: Serge + Jane / Russell's inspo: Lono Brazil & Jason Jules


Senator Zaynab Mohamed modeling at Ready or Hot wearing a Barbie pink 2 piece set from Jenny in the City paired with gold earrings from Nashipai
Sen. Zaynab Mohamed / Pink 2pc Set: Jenny in the City / Earrings: Nashipai / Zaynab's inspo: Barbie pink

Senator Zaynab Mohamed modeling at Ready or Hot wearing a Barbie pink 2 piece set from Jenny in the City paired with gold earrings from Nashipai


Adair Mosley of African American Leadership Forum modeling at Ready or Hot wearing a recycled jacket by RETHINK by Kristen McCoy and brown leather backpack from Arway Bags
Adair Mosley, CEO of African American Leadership Forum / Bomber Jacket: RETHINK by Kristen McCoy / Backpack: Arway Bags / Necklace: The Fitting Room / Adair's inspo: Pharrell, D Wade, & ASAP Rocky

Adair Mosley of African American Leadership Forum modeling at Ready or Hot wearing a recycled jacket by RETHINK by Kristen McCoy and brown leather backpack from Arway Bags


Student modeling at Ready or Hot fashion show wearing a black dress with sheer lace top underneath paired with earrings and a teal hat
Sophia Nelson, Student & Member of National Storytellers for Planned Parenthood / Dress, Sheer Lace Top & Accessories: Jenny in the City / Sophia's inspo: Stevie Nicks

Student modeling at Ready or Hot fashion show wearing a black dress with sheer lace top underneath paired with earrings and a teal hat


fashion designer modeling No Reason at Ready or Hot fashion show
Kunta Mambouray, Co-Fashion Designer For 'No Reason' / Modeling His Own Custom Designs

Kat Rohn from Outfront MN modeling at Ready or Hot wearing a custom faux fur pink coat and black halter dress by St. Kate fashion design student
Kat Rohn, Executive Director of Outfront MN / Custom Coat & Dress: St. Kate Fashion Design Student, VWY Designs / PPNCS Earrings / Kat's inspo: Bjork

Kat Rohn from Outfront MN modeling at Ready or Hot wearing a custom faux fur pink coat and black halter dress by St. Kate fashion design student

Kat Rohn from Outfront MN modeling at Ready or Hot wearing a custom faux fur pink coat and black halter dress by St. Kate fashion design student


model at Ready or Hot wearing a black ball gown
Kristina Remus, Patient Services Associate at Planned Parenthood for Hamline / Custom Gown: KMK Designs / Kristina's inspo: Stevie Nicks, the Victorian Era, Fairies


student modeling at Ready or Hot wearing a lime green, black and white sheer dress overlay
Kaisa Lindfors, Student & Teen Council Member for Planned Parenthood / Sheer Dress Overlay: Esther & Edna / Kaisa's inspo: Hunter Schaefer, the 2000's


Student modeling at Ready or Hot wearing a purple dress inspired by Taylor Swift Enchanted
Alisia Hull, Student & Path to Power Intern / Custom Dress: Ashley Helen Designs / Alisia's inspo: Crazy Rich Asians & Taylor Swift from Enchanted


Model at Ready or Hot wearing a black velvet midi dress layered with a brown plaid cropped blazer, pink hat and gold necklace
Jennifer Hickman, Clinic Manager at Planned Parenthood / Velvet Dress, Plaid Blazer, Hat & Necklace: Jenny in the City / Jennifer's inspo: Comfy, Casual Yet Elevated


Paxyshia Yang modeling at Ready or Hot wearing a secondhand sweater, recycled denim skirt, white cowboy boots and pom earrings
Paxyshia Yang, Co-Manager at Cake Plus-Size Resale & Content Creator / Sweater: Cake Plus-Size Resale / Skirt: RETHINK by Kristen McCoy / Pom Earrings: The Fitting Room


Hildie Edwards modeling at Ready or Hot wearing a multi-color sequin dress, grey faux fur coat and 80's style earrings
Hildie Edwards, LBGTQ+ Youth Activist, Actor & Performer / Sequin Dress, Faux Fur Coat & Earrings: Jenny in the City / Hildie's inspo: Courtney Love, Shirley Manson


Ruth Richardson, CEO of Planned Parenthood and MN State Representative alongside daughter, Taylor and her daughter Trinity, modeling at Ready or Hot modeling black outfits inspired by Janet Jackson
Taylor Richardson, Teacher / Blazer & Pants: Cake Plus-Size Resale / Top: MX Apparel Design / Earrings: Nashipai / Handbag: Arway Bags. Ruth Richardson, CEO of PPNCS / Moto: Jenny in the City / Skirt: Cake Plus-Size Resale / Earrings: Nashipai / Their inspo: Janet Jackson


Adrienne Zimiga-January modeling at Ready or Hot wearing Native American jewelry and hat along with a multi-color sheer dress overlay
Adrienne Zimiga-January, Actor & Graphic Designer / Sheer Dress Overlay: Esther & Edna / Leggings: Cake Plus-Size Resale / Earrings & Hat: Četán Ská / Adrienne's inspo: B Yellowtail

Adrienne Zimiga-January modeling at Ready or Hot wearing Native American jewelry and hat along with a multi-color sheer dress overlay


Juno Choi from Arbeiter Brewing Company modeling at Ready or Hot wearing a blue suit and blue floral shirt
Juno Choi, Co-Owner of Arbeiter Brewing Co. / Suit & Shirt: Serge + Jane / Juno's inspo: Steve McQueen


Chris Kadue and daughter Laura modeling at Ready or Hot fashion show wearing black dresses
Chris Kadue, Retiree & Planned Parenthood Donor / Dress & Necklace: D.NOLO. Laura Kadue, Strategic Analysist / Dress: Cake Plus-Size Resale / Purse: Serge + Jane / Their inspo: Classic


LBGTQ+ care coordinator modeling at Ready or Hot wearing a beige sherpa vest by Scotch & Soda, sequin button up shirt, and khaki pants
Ash Farah, Manager of LGBTQ+ Care Coordination at Planned Parenthood / Sherpa Vest, Sequin Shirt & Pants: Serge + Jane / Ash's inspo: the 70's


Owners of Headline Dance Center modeling at Ready or Hot wearing outfits from The Fitting Room
Andrew Fritz, Owner of Headline Dance Center / Shawl & Pants: The Fitting Room / Hat: Serge + Jane / Andrew's inspo: Jared Leto. Enrico Rodriguez, Owner of Headline Dance Center / Jacket, Pants & Tee: The Fitting Room / Enrico's inspo: Japanese Streetwear

Owners of Headline Dance Center modeling at Ready or Hot wearing outfits from The Fitting Room


Denzel Belin wearing The Fitting Room while emceeing Planned Parenthood Ready or Hot fashion show fundraiser
Denzel Belin, Emcee & Theater Artist / Vest & Wrap Pants: The Fitting Room / Cuff Bracelet: Nashipai / Denzel's inspo: Janelle Monae, Wisdm


Condom Couture Fashion Show Looks From Ready or Hot 2024

Every year, there is a handpicked local Minneapolis designer who creates 3-5 fashion show looks out of, you guessed it - CONDOMS! Unused, of course 😉 This year I handpicked upcycler, RETHINK by Kristen McCoy!




RETHINK by Kristen McCoy and Condom Couture models at First Ave for Ready or Hot fashion show fundraiser


Shop Local Minneapolis Designers & Boutiques

If you would like to shop any of these Minneapolis designers and boutiques, you can learn more about them below:




Minneapolis Hair & Makeup Artists

I also have to give a shoutout to the talented hair and makeup artists that made our vision really come all together:



Minneapolis Photographers

Lastly, shout out to the photographers who took these photos:


Ashley Helen Designs (photo of Ash)



If you would like to donate to Planned Parenthood North Central States, you can do so via the link below:




And lastly, if you like shopping local, I suggest subscribing to my non-spammy newsletter below because there are a few things a brewin! In the meantime, if you love the looks from Jenny in the City, use the code MHSTYLE10 to get 10% off your purchase (no, I'm nto day this and yes, I love her clothes. I only promote things that I like myself).


Until then,

Melissa

As always,


And of course, don't forget to visit the rest of my blog posts!

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