Get Sexy for a Good Cause

Daley Catherine has felt ashamed of her body since she was a teenager. Naturally thin, Catherine always wished that she were more curvaceous, and felt self-conscious when people would comment on her appearance.

It’s easy to feel tempted to break out the tiny violins for her – considering that she works as a model – but Catherine has a point. It can often seem as there is only one body type in the world – the wrong one – either too fat, too thin, too muscular, too old, etc., ad nauseam. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand made headlines this week, after revealing that various male colleagues had made comments about her weight and appearance. If a United States senator can’t escape body-shaming, what hope does average person have of ever being happy with their body?

Catherine wants to encourage people, especially women, to feel confident the way they are. To that end, she dreamed up the event Project All Shapes and Sizes (Project A.S.S., for short), now in its second year. Billed as a “body confidence benefit for GENaustin,” Project A.S.S. celebrates all bodies, all in the name of charity. Catherine chose to donate the proceeds of the event to GENaustin because she believes that its mission is the most in line with hers. The initials in GENaustin stand for “Girls Empowerment Network,” and one of the group’s goals is to “create an environment where all girls feel welcome.” Catherine takes pains to emphasize that all the proceeds will go to GENaustin; the event is staffed entirely by volunteers.

Project A.S.S. will consist of three parts. The first part is a fashion show. Catherine selected three local designers - Amber Holmes Originals, Jinxedaposed, and Sin Cerity - who make clothing for a broad range of sizes, rather than just creating designs for sample sizes. The second part is the “confidence walk,” where women who have signed up in advance have a chance to dress up in whatever “makes them feel sexy,” according to Catherine. That might be lingerie or a swimsuit, or it might be something entirely different. Hair and makeup artists, who will be donating their services, will be on hand to help the models achieve their own personal beauty ideals. The third part is a talent show. The talents on display include, predictably, singing and dancing, and, much less predictably, an acro-yoga routine, as well as an interpretive dance based on jiu jitsu.

It would be remiss not to note that Project A.S.S.’s official sponsor is the Vampire Court of Austin. Daley is the reigning queen of the VCA, and the night’s DJ will be DeeJay Fang, who is also a member of the Court. What does being a real-life vampire entail? They don’t drink blood; instead they do a lot of charity work. While Project A.S.S. isn’t a vampire-themed event, the VCA also hosts a Teen Halloween Party to benefit the Children’s Blood and Cancer Center at Dell Children’s Hospital, and participates in various volunteer activities, including blood drives and food banks.

Project A.S.S. takes place tonight, Friday, August 29, 10pm-3am, at Elysium, 705 Red River. Admission is $10.