The modeling organization Visage recently hosted its annual spring production, Language of Lingerie (LOL), turning the runway into a theatrical experience that blended fashion, storytelling and self-expression.
This year’s theme, “Alice After Dark,” reimagined the classic Alice in Wonderland story through a series of creative scenes that followed Alice’s journey of transformation and confidence.
At the center of the organization behind the show is Joshua Bulluck, the current president of Visage and a senior who joined the group during his freshman year in fall 2022. Bulluck first discovered Visage during a campus organization fair when a member approached him and encouraged him to attend an interest meeting.
“I’ve always been told I had a walk or a strut,” Bulluck said. “One of the members saw me and asked if I could walk in heels and told me to come to the interest meeting. Ever since then, I’ve been hooked.”
Since joining, Bulluck has grown from a new member into the organization’s president, helping guide Visage while also shaping its culture of inclusion and creativity.
But his journey with the organization has also been deeply personal. Bulluck explained that coming to college gave him the opportunity to explore his identity and find confidence in himself.
“I came to college knowing I wanted to explore who I was,” Bulluck said. “Being in this organization helped me figure out what my style looked like and what being comfortable in myself really meant.”
Bulluck said that as a Black, openly gay and feminine man, he understands that navigating certain spaces can come with challenges. Those experiences helped shape both his leadership style and the welcoming environment he hopes to create within Visage.
“I’m a Black man in America and an openly feminine gay man,” Bulluck said. “I wear a lot of targets, but I wear them with honor because I know what it takes to be me every day.”
Despite those challenges, Bulluck says Visage gave him a sense of belonging during his college years. “If you’re looking for a home, come,” Bulluck said. “This is a family. We spend a lot of time together in practice and outside of practice, and you build lifelong relationships in this organization.”
Bulluck, an education major graduating this spring, said the organization helped him grow not only as a model but also as a mentor and leader. “I definitely would not be the person that I am today without this organization,” he said. “It helped build my confidence and gave me a space where people from different backgrounds could learn from each other.”
The Language of Lingerie show itself gives members the opportunity to combine fashion with storytelling. Unlike Visage’s fall fashion shows that often highlight streetwear or traditional runway styles, LOL follows a narrative told through different scenes.
“LOL gives us the freedom to be extraordinary,” Bulluck said. “We take stories that normally wouldn’t be considered sexy and put a spin on them. We show the intimacy and emotion—the language of lingerie.”
This year’s storyline follows Alice as she falls down the rabbit hole into a more mysterious and seductive version of Wonderland. Manika Toussaint, who plays Alice in the show, said the storyline focuses on the character’s growth and confidence.
“It’s kind of like a Wonderland of lust,” Toussaint said. “Alice starts off innocent, then she falls down the rabbit hole and becomes more confident in herself as the scenes go on.”
Other characters from the story appear throughout the show as well. Charleigh Givens, who portrays the Mad Hatter, said the production stands out for its creativity and theatrical approach.
“I think it’s going to be super creative and whimsical,” Givens said. “It’s one of the more theatrical shows I’ve seen Visage do, and we worked really hard to pull it off.”
For many members, Visage also provides an opportunity for personal growth. Kamille Sampson, a newer member of the organization, said her experience has helped her gain confidence and build friendships.
“My experience has been a 10 out of 10,” Sampson said. “When I started, I couldn’t walk at all, but now I’m in multiple scenes. If you’re willing to learn and practice, you can do it.”
Inclusivity is also a key focus for the organization. Wynter Evans, vice president of Visage, said the group works to ensure everyone feels comfortable on the runway.
“We wanted to emphasize lots of body types,” Evans said. “Some models even chose outfits that weren’t stereotypical lingerie because we wanted everyone to feel comfortable.”
As Bulluck prepares to graduate this spring, he says leaving the organization will be difficult, but he hopes the culture he helped build will continue. “Visage gave me a space where I could grow and breathe,” Bulluck said. “It helped me become the person I am today.”
Through fashion, storytelling and community, Visage’s Language of Lingerie show continues to highlight how the runway can be more than a display of clothing but a platform for confidence, identity and artistic expression.
Want to see more of Visage? Check out their Instagram page.