New York: Kazumi’s runway debut in Anna Bolina’s show at New York Fashion Week marks a significant moment for integration between high fashion and the adult industry. She reflects on the chaotic yet empowering experience, celebrating a new narrative that embraces individuality and challenges traditional boundaries in fashion.
During New York Fashion Week, Kazumi made a statement on the runway that highlights the evolving relationship between the fashion industry and the adult entertainment sector. The event took place on February 11, when Kazumi walked in Anna Bolina’s show, marking her debut in the world of high fashion.
Backstage, the atmosphere teemed with excitement and energy, reminiscent of an underground club, according to Kazumi’s reflections on her experience. “Standing in Anna Bolina’s backstage, dozens of hands were adjusting my dress, my hair, my face, everything,” Kazumi described, capturing the frenzy that surrounded her preparation. With thumping techno music providing the backdrop and the need to secure a 30-pound dress that was slipping down her chest, the scene was a whirlwind of activity.
As Kazumi prepared to take to the runway, she noted the juxtaposition of the glamorous exterior of fashion shows and the intense behind-the-scenes chaos. However, she felt a sense of calm amidst the pandemonium, attributing her comfort to years of rehearsing for such moments. She reflected on her journey, acknowledging past insecurities about her appearance and realising that her background in the adult industry had ultimately played a role in her acceptance into mainstream fashion.
Kazumi also remarked on changes within the industry, stating, “I’m starting to see the horizon; fashion is integrating elements of sex work into style.” Her participation has been supported by a growing acceptance of former adult stars like Mia Khalifa and Lana Rhoades in fashion spaces, suggesting a trend of integration rather than exclusion.
Upon closing the show for Bolina, Kazumi expressed immense pride saying it was “an absolute honour and privilege to carry a vision of freedom of self.” Her performance was not simply a walk but a metaphorical march into a future where fashion and sex work can coexist. “Fashion is rebellion, and that’s what sex work is,” she proclaimed.
The runway itself presented its own set of challenges, with Kazumi describing the experience as lit by flashing lights and feeling timeless, despite the duration of her walk being just over a minute. Post-show, her adrenaline surged as she received encouragement from Bolina, with a jubilant shout of “We. TORE!” reverberating in the backroom.
After the show, Kazumi transitioned into her after-party outfit—a custom design thought by Mowalola paired with a striking Rick Owens coat—signalling both her confidence and her desire to stand out. She experienced a continual craving for attention, likening herself to Tinkerbell, stating, “If I don’t get attention, I wither away and die.”
The celebration continued into the night, where Kazumi reflected positively on her experiences at New York Fashion Week, seeing this moment as a starting point rather than an endpoint. “Although this was the end of NYFW, for me, this was only the beginning,” she concluded, encapsulating a newfound narrative within the fashion landscape, one that embraces rather than sidelines her individuality and background.
Source: Noah Wire Services
