Marie kindly sent the news in about appearing on one of America's top TV shows. Have updated the news page about this and added the extra coverage to this thread. I'm hoping Marie will add a few more pictures and talk a little more about her adventures onto American TV.

Marie Kindly sent the story in but it was a bit too large for the news page so have added the extra here;

My SECRET Adventure

So, I'm sitting in Craft Services, eating this delicious caprese sandwich, staring at the large monitor in front of me showing that sparkling "V"-shaped stage knowing that in less than one hour, not only will Super Model Heidi Klum, several of the most gorgeous models in the world and The Black Eyed Peas be appearing on it, but MY balloon creations! How did this happen?!

Just over a week ago, I received a call and was invited to New York City to create a balloon dress for The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Before I even had my itinerary, they had changed TWO outfits. I'm a little fuzzy on the exact details of the conversation because I was so excited, I never even got the name of the person I had been speaking to - Yes, I did eventually get it!

The morning after I arrived, I met with the head designers of the show. OMG, what amazingly talented people! When I entered the room with the entire product and several of the other pieces from the show, I was so incredibly intimidated. Rhinestones, crystals and feathers EVERYWHERE!!! There were some of the most gorgeous pieces I'd ever seen in my life. Sparkle, glitz and glimmer to spare! Even with the magnificence of all this work, they were treating me like I was their peer.

I just kept thinking to myself, "But I make dresses from BALLOONS!"

They showed me selections from my portfolio that they'd chosen. They also had a sketch they'd worked up of a very large scale train that looked incredibly fun and colourful. Apparently quite normal for the fashion industry, the choice of designs changed several times from the time I was brought in till the day before the show. At one point I was up to three outfits for the show, then back down to two the very next day. Ironically, I was flipping through my portfolio to show one of the designers something I thought she might like and she stopped me at another that I personally wasn't very proud of and chose it as the other that ended up in the show.

Mock-Ups, Fittings, Design changes... The next few days were exhausting, but so exciting! Every time I brought a piece in for a fitting or approval, members of the production staff would come in to see. They were all so intrigued by it. I just couldn't understand how people that were around such spectacular work all the time could be so interested, but they were!

Time for taping. The girls were in their outfits. The dress was truly the largest piece in the show, but would it be well received by the audience? The girls all lined up. It took three of us to manage the train with all those people back stage. "Just keep the girl in the spike armour away from her, Please!" Music playing, it's almost time. My first outfit goes out, the red, white & blue "bathing suit"... OMG, they loved it! But do they realize its balloons? Several more models go out. The moment of truth. The white dress with the white and multi-coloured skirt and train appears through the stage door and they go crazy for it!!! My first major showing and it's a success!!!

I do have more pics to share from backstage, but sadly can't post them until after the show airs in the US on Dec 1 - legalities and all

It always makes me laugh to remember my in-laws asking, "So how's that balloon thing going for you?"
PRETTY DAMN WELL, I'D SAY!

Wow Marie!

How exciting! I'm so glad they picked you for their fashion show...you deserve it!

I can't wait to see more pictures.

Patricia

Marie just sent me the clip to you tube to see the event that aired earlier in the week, will let Marie tell you all about it.
But it got rave revues in America

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZslK3Axtr5I

Graham and all,
This was truly the most amazing balloon and/or fashion experience I'd ever been involved in. Yet, it didn't truly sink in until I actually saw the balloons on TV (that's tellie for you Britts). Until then, it seemed just like any other event where I made dresses. Once I saw all the other commotion backstage being aired just as I'd seen it happening only weeks prior, it finally became real. I had been there with all those incredible artisans and my outfits were about to be shown. I just can't explain the feeling.

I've received several emails and messages from friends in the balloon community congratulating me on the success and telling me how I deserved it, etc. I have to tell you a little secret. Yes, I do pride myself on the amount of work I put into my balloon fashions. I absolutely LOVE making them. However, that's not what got me backstage at the Show. My visibility on the internet is. Sshhh... Don't tell anyone, but if you don't have a good site with high rankings, no one will find you! Make sure your site ranks good enough to be found!

A bit from behind the scenes:

I am so very proud of how well you have represented our wonderful balloon world! Your passion shows and is why you were chosen....yes, a website helps...you need to actually BE WHAT'S ON your site! Marie, YOUR BALLOON DRESSES are AMAZING!!!!! Thank you for your passion, thank you for elevation the ART in balloon art, Thank you for the willingness you have to fly off at a moments notice in order to do what you love to do!

YOUR BALLOONS TOTALLY ROCKED THE STAGE!!!!!