Fourteenth: Designing for WBFF Pro Aubrey Hunt
My clients often remark that I have a dream job. An over two-decade-long career, designing with the finest pearls, crystals, and couture laces, is a dream. The launch of our new Instagram brand, Headpiece After Dark, in 2020, unleashed an entirely new outlet for me to express my wildly creative designs for the non-traditional bride, burlesque industry, and competition performance.
Photos by MJR Photography
“Headpiece After Dark is avant-garde. I like to think of my designs as vivid artistic experiments. I want the world to see them and have to question, “How did she think of that?’”
My daughter, Aubrey, has modeled for me since she was in her teens. Her alluring style perfectly defined the vibe of the Headpiece After Dark brand.
My dear friend and atelier, Teresa Cristaldi, assisted me with this photoshoot. We both agree that this shoot revealed creative energy that would carry us through 2021 when we pooled our talents and teamed up for something amazing!
Designers, Marie Hunt and Teresa Cristaldi
Aubrey decided to compete with the highly reputable WBFF (World Beauty Fitness and Fashion) federation. They look for confidence, strength, beauty, grace, class, femininity, style, personality —and the best of the best!
Aubrey Hunt is the owner of Hunt Grit Fitness and Lifestyle Coaching. She is also the creator of The Alpha Division, an empowering community of like-minded women who have a deep passion for personal development, growth, and self-love. You can find Aubrey as The Bride Trainer on Instagram.
“I compete to be the best version of myself. On stage, I don’t care what the other competitors look like or are doing. It is an extreme sport and the toughest mental battle I have ever overcome. I seek the challenges that bring about my growth as a person. I like being uncomfortable.”
While on vacation, I did this quick sketch of an idea that I had. This rendering is not refined by any means. I only had a few colored pencils and skin-toned markers on hand. I texted it to Aubrey and found this to be the beginning of one of the best fashion design journeys in my career. Aubrey asked me to design this as themewear for her WBFF Competition.
“This design was unlike anything I had seen before. I had full faith that my mom could create it!”
I offered to design Aubrey’s WBFF Bikini, too, and I did a pencil sketch. I pictured Aubrey in a black suit. In my mind, it needed a belt, a bit of leather, and some metal. She was on board!
“My vision was to have the hues turn from jet black to earthy crystal tones like copper, green, and brown as she moved on stage, kind of like the Wizard of Oz when it transitions from black and white to full color on the screen.”
Once I design the main garment, the accessories come to me quite easily. Custom accessories from jewelry to shoes complete the fashion story.
“The shoes were my favorite accessory. I love some diva heels! My shoes were comfortable and the appropriate height for walking confidently on stage. Certainly, no one had shoes like mine. They matched the costumes perfectly! And yes, I would wear them again!”
One shoe was black while the other earthy toned crystals.
Aubrey has already been spotted on the California night scene wearing these earrings. My designs are meant to be worn again.
Finishing the heel with beaded leather and draping stones turned this into a celebrity pair of shoes.
The Bride Trainer’s signature is the “lioness”. I designed this cuff with black leather leaves as a symbol of fighting strength.
Backstage photography by Toby Harrison
The original WBFF themewear concept went through several revisions. The structure of this complex design dictated the slight changes to the original concept. This design took months to create, but it was so rewarding seeing it on stage.
“This design presented several challenges. One of the biggest was finding the correct color and combination of blues. I wanted this design to be 100% silk—all silk! Another challenge was the weight of the garment. I used over 125 feet of good quality chain on the skirt alone and then added stones individually by hand. One thing for sure, I knew Aubrey could handle the weight on stage!”
Teresa and I spent our day off together every week for two months to finish this creation. She was at the sewing machine while I paid more attention to the structure, hand-stitching, and beading.
I named this costume design “Chandelier”. It was electrifying!
Aubrey’s signature lioness peeks out from the back of the silk chandelier collar.
Last minute, I designed a “power pendant” to accessorize the bodice.
From the first moment, her heels had to have ruffles—silk ruffles!
Every queen should wear a headpiece. This competition is the perfect venue!
Backstage photography by Toby Harrison
Aubrey called to say that she was entering the WBFF Wellness Category and needed a gown. She gave this design her approval, and Teresa and I added it to the production schedule.
“I love a gown that has incredible movement with the right amount of sexy. The base underlay of this dress is completely sheer. Adding design elements to distract and disguise is the key to keeping it classy.”
Teresa’s design career began as a master patternmaker for Prada in Milan, Italy. She was an integral part of Aubrey’s design team because we had to design everything virtually with Aubrey living in California. She nailed the flat patterns with the utmost precision.
Together, our talents created an eye-catching gown that had a commanding presence on the WBFF stage.
Backstage photography by Toby Harrison
Registration Night occurs on the first night of the competition. All competitors don formalwear and meet the President and Ceo, Paul Dillett, and Executive Vice President, Allison Dillett, while also going over logistics and expectations of the athletes. Teresa pictured Aubrey wearing a version of Jlo’s famous green gown designed by Versace. She found the exact Italian silk in NYC. This was our final design for the competition. We began construction on this dress just one week before leaving for Orlando.
“Registration is our first impression before the judges, and we must dress to impress. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Our Vice President, Allison Dillett, always tells us, “Be yourself. That is when you will look your best!””
It was competition weekend! On April 8th, Teresa and I boarded our flight to Orlando, Florida, with a 45-pound metal sewing machine as our carry-on. It was finally time to see Aubrey and do our first fitting.
“One might think it would be challenging to custom design virtually. It wasn’t for me. I Facetimed with them once a week, and they showed me how to measure. Clearly, it worked because all of the designs fit like a glove when I arrived for my show in Orlando.”
I asked Aubrey which was her favorite apparel design?
“All of them! Each design was unique and brought a different story and style to the stage. The black suit was sparkly and glamorous but also badass like me. The themewear was different and fun, while elegant and Queen-like. I loved the green dress inspired by Versace because of how it moved when I walked. It was cool and light and followed me like a feather in the wind. The ivory gown was so beautiful that while on stage, I saw one judge mouth the words, “Wow, look at that dress,” and point to me.”
WBFF Competition Orlando
Hyatt Regency, Orlando, Florida - April 10, 2021
Stage Photography by Dennis M. Cruz
Makeup and Hair by Beauty By WBFF
Diva Wellness Category
“The desirable look for judging criteria for this female category embodies the look of a fuller lower physique. The contestant should not be overly developed muscularly or overly lean. Instead, the focus is on shape and tone. The body should be free of muscle separation and an overly lean look that is unnatural. Tightness and tone of the skin should be smooth and healthy in appearance. Overall beauty and marketability are also a judging condition of this category. There are two rounds for this category: Bikini and Gown round.” —Paul Dillett’s WBFF Entertainment
Aubrey won her Pro Card in the Wellness Division!
“Now I can compete against other Pros to fight for the World Title of Wellness Champion. Winning my Pro Card with the WBFF has been a dream of mine for a long time, and I am so proud of myself that I accomplished it! I am just getting warmed up and plan to use the coming year to recomp my physique a bit to maximize my potential in this category. I will compete in my Pro Debut in 2022. This journey of self-discovery and growth never ends, and I have no doubt I will be competing for many years to come.”
Enjoy 59 seconds with Paul Dillett’s WBFF Entertainment…
Videography by Gilco Productions
Executive Vice President, Allison Dillett, and Aubrey Hunt, WBFF Wellness Diva Pro
“Whenever I work with my mom and Teresa, I know I will stand out beautifully, and they will work tirelessly to create something that I am in love with. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for us! XOXO!”
Photography by Sarah Orbanic
Next month on the Fourteenth:
Finally Married