A bit from behind the scenes:

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!

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!  

 Are you just trying to rub it in to everyone that wasn't able to make it?  I don't even know why I'm asking, I KNOW you are!  I can assure you, I'll be there next year!!

Please keep the pics coming  

I was there and I still can't get enough!!  I know that Koen video'd the show so hopefully he'll post it to youtube or something.  He also took several pics.  I've been bugging him daily to upload them.  Apparently he has to reformat them.  Patience and I don't get on so well    so I hope it's soon!

Graham, I'm so glad that you were part of one of the most amazing experiences of my life!!!

Graham,
They say a picture is worth 1,000 words, but even with all your pictures, there still aren't enough to describe all of our experiences.  The food (if you can call it that), the smells, the shopping, the architecture...  
Racing through the streets of Shanghai where traffic rules are merely suggestions.  Where else in the world would you find three lanes of traffic defined with 5 cars occupying them?
Children's pants/trousers with the backside missing - not by mistake, but by design.  It's no surprise to the locals to see a mother holding her child over a rubbish bin to urinate in it.  Nor did anyone seem surprised when we saw a grown man relieving himself at the side of a main road.
Straws included with the chopsticks and wipes at dinner.  This may not seem odd to anyone else until you find out that it's intended purpose is not for your beverage but for sucking the marrow from the bones you've been served as a dish.  
One thing that was universal - they LOVED our balloons!!!  LOL
Hope to see you soon!
Marie

What?  That's all?  
Graham, you are such an amazing talent and an incredible shopping partner.  "You need watch?"  You're not such a great stair guide, but you can't be everything! LOL
Love you, can't wait to work/play/twist with you again!!!
Hugest hugs,
Marie

Hi Graham,
Long time no see  
The metallic violet w black accents dress was mine as well as the metallic periwinkle dress.  Sofie's was the Metallic Midnight Blue dress.  Colin made the 50's style poodle skirt in pink and white.  Hopefully, there will be more pics from this event.  Asi, Koen, Sofie and "Jack" (not sure what his Chinese name is) made dresses for the dinner ceremony.  We are currently working on some of the pieces for the next event - another 15!   After that, we will prepare for the final night gala, something never seen here in Shanghai or anywhere else in the world.  Well, back to work.  
HUGS!!
Marie

Don't leave us in suspense!  Did you have to land the plane yourself?

Thank you, Graham, for taking time out of your schedule to post all the fashion show pics.  As you know, many of the designers were far too preoccupied to take them for themselves.  
Also glad to see Colin lived through his near fatal injury!  

Sofie's Amazing Dior inspired dress

Graham,
You asked a few questions that I've also been wondering about.  Why DO artists that help promote the event have to pay?  Eh, who knows!  

Regarding this particular event, the fashion designers didn't even know what the judging criteria was.  Was style most important?  ...technique?  ...originality?  It might help to know when working out a design.  

As you stated, there were several gorgeous designs at the show.  Many designers opted for uninflated designs.  Even Sofie accessorized her AMAZING Dior inspired dress with an uninflated Bolero style coat.  I'm sure it won't be long before there is a separate category for these pieces.

Lovely seeing you again, Graham!!
Keep those pictures coming!

Graham,
In all honesty, I spend the majority of my time at conventions laughing!  I love everyone that I've met in this great community of ours.  OK, before you call me on it, of course there are a few exceptions, but we don't need to mention them!    For the most part, balloon people are some of the best in the world!  I've met people from all over:  The Netherlands, Japan, Slovenia, Belgium, France, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Spain, Canada and a few odd ones from the UK...  Even when language is a barrier, balloons transcend that.  

We put our personalities, our politics and even our religions aside for that brief moment and we share our passion.  And for that time...  all is right with the world!
Thank you so much for letting me share.  I can't wait to see you again.  
Huge hugs,
Marie

What makes me laugh?
 
My mother-in-law is coming to visit for a month...  So, not much, lately  

Who would you like to work with dead or alive?
     When doing any sort of line twisting, I love working with anyone I can "play off of" - people with a sharp wit.  It's a sort of sarcastic taunting back and forth.  I think the audience enjoys the playfulness.
     I've had the opportunity to work with so many of my favorite balloon twisters, I can't really think of anyone.  Well, everyone again!  
   
What is the largest sculpture you've worked on?    
     Don Caldwell is my ultimate balloon idol.  I have admired him since I bought his first video.  Lucky for me, Don twisted in a restaurant that was closer to my home than his own.  I would frequently stop by just to see what he was working on.  He had a very unique situation where he would create large scale sculptures to decorate the lobby and display cases one day a week.  On a few occasions, he would allow me to assist him on his endeavors.  WHAT a learning experience!!!  He is truly a master of his craft.
     Once he envisioned a group of restaurant guests waiting in the lobby (Six, to be exact) complete with beverages and hors d'oeuvres.  Halloween was a giant Frankenstein's Monster with the Doctor sitting on his shoulder.  Christmas... Wow, Christmas!  Don's idea was to create a life-like tree.  He created a framework of a 6' tree.  Don, Eddie Medrano and I spent the next few hours creating branches to insert into the framework to look like a real tree.  We weren't done there - next came the ornaments!  We left Don to create the Santa and suspended reindeer!