Sanders County Ledger - Your Best Source For Sanders County News

For the fashion conscious, there is one event that stands out above all others – New York Fashion Week. For fans of chic couture in the county, that event might as well be on another planet. But for three lucky girls, that dream is becoming a reality.

Tiffany Brown took on one of the many “make money from home” opportunities out there, in the form of Red Aspen, a company that takes on sales reps around the country to be distributors of their faux eye lash line of products. Natalie Eichert of Heron and Jenny Lyght of Thompson Falls are also on the company’s payroll. Eichert shared, “I started with Red Aspen because I wanted something that would give me confidence after having a baby, while also inspiring other women and mothers to find their confidence again.” Brown, who encourages women she meets to put some time into themselves beauty-wise, shared that their business endeavors had opened a door that couldn’t be ignored.

Along the way, seminars, conferences and networking landed her and two friends an opportunity to not only attend New York Fashion Week, but to participate as models. Brown was contacted by Mrs. Galaxy, Deanna Silva, with an invite to be a part of the tail end of the fashion event, known as Fashion Week 2.0, which highlights the pageant side of modeling. There is no “ideal” body or face type in these circles as beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder – not the airbrushed, photoshopped slicks on the cover of magazines. Silva is also a Red Aspen representative and Brown and friends are under her umbrella in the company’s regional team.

Through the partnership of business and the pageant world, Silva said, “so many first time models are able to check off a serious item on their bucket list, and walk as part of our show on the NY runway.” Because there is a fee and travel expenses, Brown, Lyght and Eichert will be fundraising to make this dream come true. Silva noted that the minimal fee yields a value much higher than the cost. Included in the experience, the girls will get to keep their dresses modeled in, Red Aspen lashes, professional hair and makeup for the event, a professional photography package that includes photos from the runway, an individual shoot in Times Square with renowned photographer Baron DaParre, a model robe, tank top, official poster and other perks and treats throughout the week.

“I have struggled my whole life to find my path and believing in myself,” said Brown, “I really see this as a way to focus my purpose and prove to myself what I am capable of. I’m going to make this happen.” Lyght said she grew up watching “Project Runway” on television as often as she could. “All I wanted was to be up there walking with the models. As I got older it just seemed to become more unrealistic – until this opportunity came along.”

Eichert noted that makeup and beauty have always been her passion, “but now I have found my purpose, which is to make women feel beautiful. This will not only be a great way to promote our business, but also to inspire other women to go after their dreams, be confident and know that you are beautiful no matter your shape or size.”

The trio will be selling raffle tickets at Harvest Foods this Friday and Saturday trying to meet their goal of $3,500. Winners in the raffle can take home a 10-yard load of gravel, a designer rock bench, or a vintage .22 bolt action rifle. There will also be donation buckets around the county at various businesses. Mystery glam bags are also being put together for purchase.

For more information on how to support the county’s next top models, contact Tiffany Brown at (406) 269-0137 or find her on Facebook.