'Sociable kittens? Beautiful kittens? Both are our speciality' - I said. ' I just happen to have two beautiful black kittens - brothers - that are extremely personable,friendly, cheeky and adorable.'
'Then be at the venue at 4:30 PM with your kittens on Tuesday 22 May, as the Show starts at 6:30 and we want them to get used to the models.'
'Will do.' - I said.
The models (feline), were bathed, dried, combed and rubbed all over with a piece of black silk (for extra shine.) This was done the night before.
THE day came. I bundled my babies into their carry-case. We arrived. Pandemonium! The place was lively with lots of (organised chaos) action. The director of the show said - 'The lady with the kittens has arrived.'
I was shown where I was to be. The Show was being held on High Street ITSELF. We were in the back of the stage - a quickly assembled 'backstage' made up in an empty arcade on High Street. There were beautiful clothes, beautiful models (male and female) and lots of wiring, props, make up and shoes etc.
Two male models were to take the kittens with them at the start of the show - modelling Calvin Klein Underwear. They asked me whether the kittens would scratch them as they were only wearing underwear. I replied that Hekla Persian kittens NEVER scratch people, as they are trained not to. They may be frightened and try to get away (if provoked), but would never, ever scratch.
I then showed them how to hold them and then lift them up in the air securely. They asked me - 'Can WE do that?'
I said - 'Yes, of course.'
'Great! We will do just that'.
The curtain call came. A quick kiss and cuddle from me and ...... They were away!
Needless to day, they behaved like true professionals. Almost as if they were made for it. I was proud. I was thrilled. I was overwhelmed!
The kittens were a little shaky when we first got there but by the ttime they went onto the 'catwalk', they were calm and very settled.
The director, the models, makeup artist, BMW execs, the co-ordinator and all of the people who organised the Show and were responsible for its success (and it was a great success), were exemplary and professional to the core, very friendly with me and my babies, and truly marvelous to watch.
It was quite an experience for me and these terrific kittens. ('Stars in their Eyes!')
One of the male models, who also is a professional photographer, took time out, in spite of the pressure to keep the show on track, to take a photo of himself and Toshiro, especially for me to have.
A few days after the Show, I received a call from one of the people at RJB Menswear - 'Is the kitten that was not sold at the time of the Show still available?' (One had already been sold before the Show but his owner had kindly allowed me to keep him for a few more days in order that he could be in the Show).
I said - 'Yes.'
He said - 'Well, hold that kitten because one of the guests in the Show wants to buy him.'
Of course, I did just that and after this lady came back from overseas (where she had been when I was contacted at her request), she and her partner came over, saw Toshiro, loved his personality (they had already admired his looks at the Show), paid for him and took him home. They saw, they loved and they purchased! My personal thanks to Mark van Kaathoven - the model in the photo and professional photographer who made time in a very tight schedule to stop and have his friend take the photo.
