The flashing lights of the Charleston in downtown Bowling Green caught on the bejeweled outfits and glittery makeup of models in the Decayed Couture fashion show as they walked down the runway. 

Solely designed and organized by Harlie Jaid Anderson, the Decayed Couture fashion show displayed the work of her clothing brand Decayed Doll. While showing off her designs, the fashion show brought together and celebrated small businesses and artists like Anderson. 

A native of Scottsville, Anderson started sewing when she was just 8 years old. At 18, she had her first design featured in a fashion show. After doing the show for three years, she decided to launch her own brand, Decayed Doll, in 2023. 

“I’ve loved fashion since I was a little girl, I always dreamed of becoming a fashion designer,” Anderson said. 

Inspired by vintage fashion, Anderson’s designs are all one of a kind and either handmade or created with second-hand clothing. 

“Our main focus is slow fashion,” Anderson said. “We have enough clothes to clothe the next eight generations, so I try to work with what’s already available.” 

From frilly lace tops covered in screenprinted images to patched-up skirts with doilies, Decayed Doll balances feminine aesthetics with edgier elements. Through her clothing, Anderson aims to demonstrate that it’s okay to be creative and different.

“I always like to say it’s kind of rebellious ideas with delicate details,” Anderson said. “It’s very feminine, but it’s out there.” 

Her brand is built on feminist values, inspired by Anderson’s upbringing with her single mother and grandmother, her two biggest supporters. She said that seeing how her mother raised her without the help of a partner inspired and pushed her. 

“My great grandma actually opened her own boutique right when women were allowed to,” Anderson said. “Just knowing (she) was alive when we were first able to vote or get a credit card, it just baffled me, and I feel like it’s not something we need to let die.”

Anderson decided to hold her own fashion show for her clothing just one year after starting Decayed Doll, which she described as “putting my feet in the water.” Since then, she’s held an annual show in May. 

While her events are a “one-woman show,” with taking care of the clothes, venue and DJ, Anderson’s community still rallies to support her. Many of her models and photographers are her friends, even bringing along two of her childhood friends Maddie Wolob and Kristen Carter to be her assistants.

Wolob and Carter supported Anderson with everything from organizing the show to hand-sewing and bedazzling. Throughout their friendship, both have seen her creative and eccentric personality grow into her business and now, her biggest show yet. 

“I’m so excited for her,” Carter said. “It’s just awesome to see her dream come true. I’m just so proud of her.” 

This year, Anderson wanted to bring more than just a fashion show. Alongside selling her designs at the event, she invited various small vendors, many of which her friends, to display their work. 

“I wanted (to) make this chance for my friends to show their art as well as mine,” she said. “I didn’t want it to just bring attention to my art.” 

Before and after the fashion show, attendants were able to get tooth gems and purchase handmade pottery and prints.

Rosa Vasquez, creator of Dalinky, met Anderson a year ago, and while she hasn’t been able to make it to a show, she loves to support Anderson. She even collects lingerie pieces she thinks Anderson would like to give to her when they see each other sporadically.

Vasquez drove from Versailles to sell her handmade chainmail jewelry and keychains, some carrying bones and rabbits’ feet. However, she also came to see Anderson’s designs and models. 

Before the event even started, a line of prospective attendees lined up to enter the venue, which was very unexpected for Anderson. 

“I do this for my art, I don’t do it for anyone else but my soul,” she said while taking a deep breath. “I didn’t have any expectations at all. Seeing that, it was like, oh, wow.” 

The fashion show, opened by drag and burlesque performances, featured 30 models dressed head-to-toe in Decayed Doll. As each made their entrance down a set of stairs, they struck poses and showed off their outfits to the clapping crowd. 

According to Anderson, she tried to match her model’s outfits to styles she knew they were familiar with. Through two separate fittings, she made tweaks to designs to ensure her models remained comfortable. 

Arianna Mioni, a WKU alum and friend of Anderson, said Anderson helped her feel at home and confident while stepping out of her comfort zone. 

Mioni, who sported a black top with fringe and pink bows and pink go-go boots, felt her look was matched to her personality and pink hair. 

“Every part of Decayed Doll felt extremely authentic in the way that Harlie cares for us, took her time and was so meticulous about everything,” Mioni said. 

While her looks walked down the runway, Anderson sat at the end, admiring her looks and cheering on her models with wide eyes and a smile. 

“There’s just no words for it,” she said. “There really isn’t just seeing the entire show go together. It completely blew my mind.” 

The Decayed Couture fashion show closed with all the models walking together, led by Anderson with Wolob and Carter on either arm. Afterwards, Anderson celebrated the end of her show with her models and supporters, receiving hugs and congratulations. 

Though she is relieved for it to be over, she’s excited to start planning for next year.  

“I want to give love and happiness, and I funnel that into my brand,” she said. “This is a closet space for everyone, and I just try to relay that in person and energy.”