Although I never thought it would happen, I can officially cross “Walk the runway at New York Fashion Week” off my bucket list.

Mary Ann Zoellner

TODAY producer Alicia Ybarbo lets her personality out on the runway.

At 4-foot-11, I certainly don’t fit the mold of a traditional model, but for the first time, women like me got to show their stuff at “Strut: The Fashionable Mom Show” at Lincoln Center on Thursday. Hosted by Iman, it was the brainchild of several prominent moms, female bloggers and businesswomen.

Women of all shapes and sizes were dressed in looks that were both casual and dressy, affordable and designer. I wore items from David Meister, Alexis Bittar, Gap and Macy’s. While I’m not a label lover, I do like style – texture and clothes that make me feel good – and this show was able to highlight pieces that are both available in stores right now and fit real women.

Mary Ann Zoellner

Backstage at "Strut: The Fashionable Mom Show."

When it came to walking the runway, we moms had no worries. OK, maybe we were a little nervous in the beginning, but in the end we all let our personalities out on the runway, showing smiles and high fives and feeling empowered and strong – which is what being a fashionable mom is all about.

Mary Ann Zoellner

(Left to right) Isabel Kallman of AlphaMoms.com, Vera Sweeney of GettingGorgeousEvents.com,
Alicia Ybarbo of TODAY, and Jennifer James of MomBloggersClub.com.

Carol Cain, the founder and editor of NYCityMama.com, joked behind the scenes that she was practicing her catwalk at home to LMAFO’s “I'm Sexy and I Know It,” and practically dislocated her hip while trying to strike a pose. But from the looks of her on the runway, practice made perfect!

But let’s get to the other highlight of Fashion Week: the hair and makeup! Being able to sit in a chair and have someone conceal the bags under my eyes – a result of working the 2 p.m.-to-midnight shift at work and juggling a week without a baby sitter – I became alive again. The fact is, most of us moms put more focus on our children and families then we do on ourselves.

Jennifer James

Colleague Mary Ann Zoellner helps Alicia get runway-ready.

According to Babycenter.com, 92 percent of the clothing purchases women make before having children are based on design. But after they become moms, their criteria change to comfort and cost efficiency. The Strut Moms show loudly demonstrated that design, comfort and (in some cases) cost efficiency go hand in hand.

So join me in getting rid of those ratty ol' mommy jeans. And practice your strut to the recycle bin while doing it!

Alicia Ybarbo is a TODAY producer and a mom.

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