Lights, camera, fashion! That is what was brought to the Mississippi Gulf Coast at the Longfellow Civic Center in Bay St. Louis, Miss., on Friday, February 24, 2023, as Couture La Rouge, LLC, took over the runway with its first-ever Mini-Model Workshop. The event was a precursor to the new modeling agency’s one-year anniversary celebrated with a glamorous evening Black and Red Affair fashion show held on February 25, 2023, following the workshop.
    The agency was created by CEO/Agent/Model/Fashion Designer Catrina Wordlaw, Bay St. Louis, Miss., whose love of fashion and design was developed at an early age. And because of her love for fashion, Wordlaw decided, later in life, to start working and mentoring with up-and-coming models in the fashion industry.
     Couture La Rouge, LLC, features its very own unique fashion line inspired by Wordlaw and is designed to empower young ladies and young men, and to give them an opportunity to showcase their beauty, inside and out. Its mission is to inspire women and men to reach their full potential in the fashion industry.

     Couture La Rouge, LLC, provides model coaching and workshops, as well as print and runway modeling instruction. The agency also publishes magazines, look books, calendars, modeling contests, and more.
     “I am delighted to welcome our fashion runway models and experts who have come from around the United States to celebrate with Couture La Rouge, LLC,” said Wordlaw. “We are not only celebrating Couture La Rouge, LLC’s one-year anniversary, but also our fashion team and beautiful models for all their accomplishments. They are doing great things behind the scenes.”

“I am delighted to welcome our fashion runway models and experts who have come from around the United States to celebrate with Couture La Rouge, LLC…
“They are doing great things behind the scenes.”

Catrina Wordlaw, CEO/Agent/Model/Fashionista, Couture La Rouge, LLC

     Couture La Rouge, LLC, is founder of Gulf Coast Fashion Week spanning across Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. The agency launched the series this year that kicked off locally with its workshop and fashion show in February and will continue throughout March. The events are led by Wordlaw and the Gulf Coast Fashion Week Association to bring together fashion designers, models, fashion shows and photographers. Wordlaw’s vision for Gulf Coast Fashion Week is to see it expand with fashion shows happening in different coastal cities.  
     Couture La Rouge, LLC Executive Assistant JoAnn Davison, said, “Catrina is super excited about her collection. She has been talking about it for years. She loves fashion.”
     Model Faizan Seedat, Chicago, Illinois, has 10 years of experience in modeling. Seedat is a tech evangelist and a physique competitor. Seedat said of the fashion show, “The show is to manifest a vision for creating art.” 
     There was plenty of excitement in the atmosphere as Wordlaw and her team brought creative and beautiful couture fashion to the 1^st Annual Couture La Rouge, LLC Fashion Show. The night before the exquisite fashion show, a Mini-Model Workshop coached models on how to become a fashion model and the importance of model comp cards and portfolios. Models were given pointers by top fashion experts who have a great passion for designing their stunning wardrobes that were featured during the event.
     There were models from Mississippi and from all over the country including Hawaii, Maine, Florida, Illinois, New Mexico, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Colorado. Pageant Queen title holders were also a part of the fashion show. “I am looking forward to meeting new people and making new connections,” said Valerianne Hinkley, Wilton, Maine. Hinkley is the 2023 National American Miss title holder, as well as Miss World Ambassador.

     As models were taught and prepared for the main event; the Couture La Rouge, LLC Fashion Show, there was plenty of mingling and networking among the group. Smiles, laughter, and excitement filled the room. There were refreshments served as participants got to know each other and build new friendships. Model coaching also included posing, and how to walk to the runway with confidence. There were models from all ages who were ready to display the fashion for the designers.
     Rosalba Dumont-Carrion, Trenton, Tenn., was the youngest model at age 10. Rosalba is a beautiful young model who was discovered in July 2022 by a fashion designer at Miss Tennessee.
     Rosalba said, “I am excited about walking the runway and wearing the gown to model.” Mother to Rosalba Dumont-Carrion said she also is excited to see her daughter grow with such “a great agent and couture line.”

     Mike Chase, New Mexico, Mr. United States TIW, said, “I am most excited that last week at the New York fashion show I debuted my own line of Sunchasers which will have their own runway show this week.” Chase’s Couture Sunglasses were also featured in the fashion show, making for a perfect addition to Wordlaw’s couture pieces.
     Model Lachele Shelly Rodriguez, Columbia, South Carolina, said, “I am excited for everybody to show what they’ve got, and work the runway.”
     Couture La Rouge Fashion Collection was introduced as part of the fashion show by Wordlaw, along with Jarin Tasnim, Lashawna Dumas, and Kymm Barnett, and with other local and national renowned fashion designers and boutiques. Fashion designs also included in the fashion show were from Shamika Houston with TheFreelanceSlayers, Caesar McNeil with Caesar the Designer, Debra Ales with D By Design, Gina B. with Nova Threads, Mike Chase with Sunchasers Couture Sunglasses.
     “The Red Phoenix”, Orlando, Fla., is a model in fitness, sports, bikini, and fashion and stated that “she is most excited about meeting all of the variety of folks. It’s amazing being around amazing people.” Model Lion Aurah, Dallas, Texas, has been modeling for one and a half years and was honored to model for Couture La Rouge, LLC.  Model Marian Oliver, Arlington, Texas, has been modeling since she was 3 years old. Oliver is a print model.

     Models were very thrilled, overflowing with excitement, as they prepared for the fashion show.
     Model Marcus Jones, Dallas, Texas, said “I am excited to walk the runway and for the designer clothes and designer sunglasses. I have been modeling for three years, and I am also an actor. I enjoy modeling for photoshoots, walking the runway, and acting. This is my passion, and I enjoy what I do.”
     Special Guest Runway Model Kimberly Thompson, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., reigning Miss Fashion Global and company model and executive director, said she was excited to meet new people from all walks of life and establish new friendships, and also to see if anyone is interested in joining their sisterhood at Miss Global Fashion.
     Gavin Giles, San Antonio, Texas, is a 16-year-old model. He said of the workshop that “they are innovative and helps us regain confidence. I am looking forward to the fashion show.”
     Andrea Curtis-Richardson was also very excited and looked forward to the designers and models. Curtis-Richardson has been in the modeling industry for over 20 years. “I represent those that are over 64. I am excited to be a Model Brand Ambassador for Couture La Rouge.”
     Anthony Hayes, a model from Birmingham, Ala., was looking forward to networking and meeting other models and designers. Hayes said, “I have only been doing it for over a year, so I am still learning the ropes of it all.”
     Model Kolbyashi Nelson, Fayetteville, North Carolina, reigning International Miss Royal North Carolina Jr. Teen, said, “I am looking forward to meeting new people and open new doors for the future. I have been modeling for two years.”

     Wordlaw congratulated her Couture La Rouge, LLC team, models, and planning committee for all of the hard work they put into the Mini-Model Workshop and the Fashion Show. From the model coaching to the fashion wardrobe fitting, excitement grew in anticipation for the fashion show. Couture La Rouge, LLC’s fashion team worked with great efforts in planning and preparing for the show. The weekend started with a meet and greet for models and staff at the workshop on Saturday, and it ended with a photoshoot in Hotel Vinache New Orleans. The fashion show was hosted by Bryan Wallace who brought a fun and outgoing personality to the event. Entertainment was provided by Comedian MzWallstreet and Artist Dat Boi Smallz.
     Couture La Rouge, LLC’s goal is to help models build professional portfolios to gain confidence in their work and encourage their models to give back to the community as they pursue their goals in the fashion industry. To contact Couture La Rouge, LLC, send an email to couturelarouge@gmail.com or visit their Web site at www.couturelarouge.com. Couture La Rouge, LLC, as well as additional information about upcoming Gulf Coast Fashion Week events, can also be found on social media platforms Facebook and Instagram.

On the cover: Couture La Rouge, LLC models participate in the modeling agency’s first-ever Mini-Model Workshop on February 24, 2023, at the Longfellow Civic Center in Bay St. Louis, Miss. The models were lined up backstage to take their turn on the runway in preparation for the Couture La Rouge, LLC 1^st Annual Anniversary Fashion Show; a Black and Red Affair, held on February 25, 2023. They are (from left): VIP Model Ambassador Monique Knott, Montgomery, Ala; Anthony Hayes, Birmingham, Ala; Marcus Jones, Dallas, Texas; Brian Carter, Texas; VIP Model Ambassador Marjorica Ducheine; Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania; VIP Model Ambassador Gavin Giles, San Antonio, Texas; and Misty Coolidge, Maine.

Ashley Prima

Author, Public Speaker, Multimedia Journalist, Publisher, Writing Consultant, Blogger, and Podcast Host.