Indian
Summer
Nora A. Simone
Indian Summer
Nora A. Simone
My ‘Indian Summer’ occurred when I did my best to present as an Indian woman in a Northeast US city.
Most who are familiar with the term, associate “Indian Summer” with a period of unusually dry, warm weather occurring in late autumn. A less widely-used, but still accepted meaning, is its reference to a period of happiness or success occurring late in life. As a long-closeted mature crossdresser, it is the latter definition that is relevant to this title. Today, I’m enjoying a period of happiness after many years of feeling the opposite.
The idea to become an Indian woman occurred in January. At the time, I did some runway modelling at the First Event TG fashion show in Boston, MA viewed by hundreds of onlookers.
As TG-brand spokesmodel for a line of custom-made woman’s wear, I was sponsored to show off their designs: suits, skirts and tops, dresses etc. on the runway. Though exciting, I was focused solely on presenting my sponsor’s designs in the best way possible and as much as possible. All my modelling at this event was devoted to this line.
Interestingly, an optional fashion-show theme was to model the dress of country representing heritage or family history. Though I wanted to do this, there was no time to prepare and execute another runway strut. However, the diversity and authenticity of others was inspiring! So, it was thrilling to finally present my dream-theme, an Indian woman, months later on the life-stage instead.
I do not claim to be Indian; however, India was part of my family history. During WWII my father served in India.
Like many war veterans, he never spoke of his work, however, he’d frequently share stories of people, food, customs, and culture in an imaginative colourful way. It was obvious he was moved by the experience despite the difficult time. Thus, through his storytelling, I felt part of my childhood was spent in India. I knew it was exotic, mysterious, and dangerous, with tigers, cobra snakes, and elephants lurking about. There were magic lamps, magic carpets, and the women were – he would say in a hushed confidential tone – each, a magical work of art.
It was challenging to arrange my Indian-Summer look. A long wait for garments shipped from overseas and then altered to my size; henna tattoos, inked the day before; hours fussing with hair, makeup, and jewellery; and then battling with the sari to get it into position long enough to properly pin it in place. I will forever appreciate the effort it takes women to prepare to look right. Adorned from head to toe, I truly understood how my father perceived Indian women. I felt like
a beautiful work of art. I was floating with joy and strengthened with a mystical power too.
Seeing myself finished for the first time in a mirror reflection, I proudly announced to the world “Whose sari now?” Humorous yes, but also a big emotional release!
These few photos provided, are set in, or near: the Central City park and park pavilion, on Main Street, at church, in front of a shop, and also within in a city-approved outdoor graffiti nook. I’ve hundreds more to help me remember this special day.
From the reaction I received from children, shopkeepers, and others – I’m pretty sure the locals had not seen many Indian women on Main Street – or at least not many towering 6 feet tall! I was uniformly welcomed and greeted warmly wherever I ventured. Though I may have caused some traffic to slow or stop, there was no harm done. I waved to all, smiled, and tried to speak rarely but softly when necessary. At one shop, the owner gifted me a container of perfume-infused soap. I treasure that soap because the scent reliably makes me close my eyes and smile again.
Nora Simone, a gender fluid crossdresser with a thousand different faces, welcomes feedback on her writing and photos at
norasimone@yahoo.com.
Indian woman makeup and costuming assistance by Megan Crozier. Photos by Cassandra Storm Photography.
