Chattanooga Fashion Expo

A Different Journey

November 5, 2023

I’m excited as hell to have been invited to, and actually able to attend, this year’s Chattanooga Fashion Expo in Chattanooga, Tennessee on November 17-18. I’ll be making the journey after receiving news that the scheduling doesn’t conflict with my upcoming cancer treatments.

Creator Shanna Forrestall passed on the invitation months ago and with this year’s chaotic events that have affected my life, I wasn’t able to actually confirm until this past week.

Writers Note: Please be advised as of 11/10/23 I no longer have plans to attend this event. But with the events creator and staff the best of wishes!

The expo is Shanna’s brainchild. After relocating from Los Angeles to Chattanooga in 2020 and being impressed by the level of creativity and potential she saw in the region, she began working nonstop in creating the expo. The first event began in 2021.

Shanna and I have been friends many years and the invitation has been out there from that very first one. But the timing and my past journeys to Boston had conflicted, until now. Being asked to attend the show, this year, is truly an honor as she has been a steadfast emotional support system for me throughout this year, in particular. Plus, it marks our tenth year of friendship without ever having actually met in person. This will be special!

Shanna and I, connected when she was in the movie ‘Alligator Alley.’ Her IMDb at Shanna Forrestall is filled with film credits and was even cast alongside Morgan Freeman as ‘Mary Jane Fuller’ in ‘Olympus Has Fallen.’ She’s produced, written and sings, has, and continues, to create child’s bedtime stories along with several other projects.

There will be educational programs the day before the actual fashion show and as many as nine runway appearances, featuring both women and men, the following day. The educational portion has designers like Romey Roe who hit the 2017 Emmys headlines Lafayette designer hits the big time at Emmys | AP News with Shanna wearing one of his designs at that year’s awards ceremonies.

Shanna at 2017 Emmys (L) wearing Romey Roe (R) Designed Outfit

Also, in attendance will be Keniya Love. She is the CEO of Queen Love Modeling & Talent Agency.

Keniya Love, CEO of Queen Love Modeling & Talent Agency

There will be many others present at the event offering workshops like Benjamin Divine, who has had his jewelry showcased on Fallon Tonight and is supported by many celebrities. Sarah Johnson a marketing and brand specialist; Dr Courtney Hammonds, hailed as ‘The Dean of Fashion’ by many in the industry; Cynthia Cruz, Nail Designer; Darin Wright and Elea Blake, Color Theory and Makeup Specialists while Natura, Wild Woman Locs & Marc Kadeh will also be offering classroom sessions.

Tickets are still available at Chattanooga Fashion Expo

Outside all the afore mentioned happenings, I’m looking forward to the ‘After Party,’ the evening of the 18th. I haven’t ‘hob-nobbled’ in quite some time and this offers the perfect opportunity prior to my treatment and a new life ahead. And who knows, maybe Shanna will have them play ‘our song.”

No. Minion. I haven’t forgotten! 😊🤣❤️

One other thing, with the Mandalorian not available to baby ‘Grogu’ sit, the little guy gets to go on another trip! No reason to break tradition and he did ask politely. And my reply to him was simple, “Yes you may come along, Grogu. Afterall, You’re Worth A Lot To Me!”