Flamenco Dancer Dress for Halloween

Back in the Dominican Republic, Halloween wasn’t as memorable as it became when I arrived in this country andstarted to get dressed up for the occasion. One afternoon, my mom came home with a bag of thrift store costumes that one of her co-workers had given to her, apparently for me. When I opened the bag, I was so excited at the costumes inside. In particular, I fell in love with a Spanish flamenco dress. I became obsessed with it. Every time I wore it, I felt like a Spanish princess who danced flamenco.

The red flamenco dress had a very distinctive style. A body-contoured dress, the costume had a tube-like top with red ruffles across it. Its red silk satin material ran down to the bottom of the skirt, which was made from black satin lace. On the left side of the dress, a synthetic rose hung from the hip; I could also clipped onto my hair and give myself a more elegant look.

When I got home from school, I rushed to the bedroom that I shared. Changing out of my school uniform, I eagerly changed into my Halloween costume, while my mom waited for me in the living room. I pulled my hair back into a low bun with a brush, hair gel, and a mix of conditioner, so that my hair didn’t stick up in the warm weather outside. Next, I clipped the synthetic rose to my hair. Finally, I inserted my feet into my pre-shaped black patent small-heel heels, which added a couple of inches to my height. Concerned about safety, my mom only took me around the neighborhood, Spanish Harlem, to trick or treat.

This dress was dear to me, signifying a time of youthful excitement, of going store to store on Halloween night, of taking photos and feeling very close to my mother. I was so in love with this dress that I wore it for three consecutive Halloweens, and I wanted to wear it again, but I had already outgrown it. When I no longer was able to fit into this dress, the excitement of wanting to trick or treat faded.

Curl Fest Festival

CURLFEST, a natural beauty festival, was one of the first events that expanded my sense of style and artistry.  Located at Randall’s Island, on the Harlem River area, CURLFEST was a celebration of natural hair–e.g., the curls or locs of Black and Brown women—in which a lot of people came from all backgrounds to celebrate culture and Black diversity. I didn’t pay to get in because one of my friend's friends wasn’t able to make it at the last minute. Taking the opportunity, I decided to visit a craft store to get some props to add to my festival-going outfit. I also gained some inspiration from one of my favorite artists of the time, Tyler the Creator, by deciding to create my own feminine homage to the cover of his album Flower Boy, one of my favorites.

First, I donned makeup by using MAC Cosmetics’ pink liner to outline the outer parts of my lips, creating a volume that enhanced the size of my lips, making them appear fuller. Then, I used Maybelline’s red lipstick on the inner part of my upper lip and lower lip. creating an ombre effect. Finally, I used my index finger to blend both colors, blending them seamlessly. Next, I added a yellow sticker stone on the middle of my forehead to channel my third eye chakra, which transformed my look into that of a natural goddess. Once I was done with my face, I moved on to my hairstyle, splitting my locs into two equal parts down the middle. I used a rainbow colored cloth to wrap both of my ponytails, shaping them into buns and attaching pink scrunchies to them. Finally, I inserted clipped sunflowers into each of my loc buns and made sure to wrap them once more with the rainbow fabric. This way, you wouldn’t be able to see the sunflower stems sticking out through the back of the bun.

I remember panicking a little that day, because I was running late. I hastily inserted my legs into my pre-shaped semi-washed blue denim shorts, which sat just above my knees to keep me comfortable on such a warm day. I then inserted my neck and arms through my pre-shaped grey bandeau bra, before wrapping my colorful African print around my upper body. I clipped the back of its fabric with a safety pin, making sure that the fabric didn’t fall off; this matched the sunflowers attached both of my loc buns.

This dress represents the first time I was able to express my inspirations. I used a musical album that I was really into at the time and honored it with clothing. I was proud of what I came up with— a beautiful concoction of colors showcased by a last-minute outfit. At the festival, I was so excited to share space with people who looked like me, with locs and natural hairstyles, co-existing at the same exact time, in the exact same place.

Wedding Dress

One of the most important times of my life was the process of picking my wedding dress. I’d had some ideas lying about, but I was so consumed by other wedding preparations that, despite everyone asking me if I’d picked my dress yet, I had forgotten this important element. Thankfully, I was able to find a gorgeous dress within my budget, and just in time for my wedding, at David’s Bridal on W. 45th St. I was so anxious/ excited to try on a few dresses before my big special day, July 30th, 2022.

I awoke at 7 am that morning, just as I did on the day I took my graduation photos.  I needed to make sure that I was going to be able to allow myself to have enough time to prepare for the ceremony, which started at 12:00 pm. I quickly washed my face with a high-end skin care face wash, smoothing and softening the texture of my face. I then further prepped my skin for my makeup session with one of my bridesmaids, Andrea. I made sure to follow the regimen necessary for this session; after washing my face, I moisturized with Eucerin  sunscreen moisturizer, which  protects from the sun’s harmful UV -rays, while remoisturizing at the same time.

Before I left my home, I made sure that I had everything that I needed to take with me to the Hilton in Long Island City. When I arrived, Andrea immediately got to work on my make-up. When she was finished with that, I put on my wedding dress, a deep V-neck dress, featuring a brown mesh textile, whose straps hung suspended from my shoulders. The back of my dress was cliipped to enhance my shape by fitting to my hips. I then proceeded to clip the veil to my modified loc bun, so that I was ready to veil myself down the aisle before my fiancé unveiled me at the altar. Then, I sprayed Chanel's body perfume on my skin to smell like flowers. Next, I inserted my feet into my open-toed heels, wrapping the belt strap across my ankle so that it would provide extra support for when I walk. Finally, I took my gorgeous bouquet and walked with it to the cab waiting outside for me, to take me to the wedding venue.

This dress was probably the most breathtaking one I ever wore, only because it holds so much meaning and love behind it. When I chose it I teared up, because I knew it was the dress I couldn’t bear to take of. My mother, cousin, and her daughter who were there when I found it, were all left in awe of its beauty. This dress represents the day I became a Waldron, a day when everyone in attendance was meant to be there, when what I got was exactly what I wanted: a small and quaint wedding that I’ll never forget.