'The MTV Movie Awards' - Page 87 of autobiography-VCU essay

Prompt: Compose Page 87 of your autobiography. In this essay, you should be creative, considering where your life story would be at this point.

This is a VERY rough draft so far. I just want to know if I'm going in the right direction for this essay. I like how the 1st and 3rd paragraphs are going so far but the 2nd concerns me. Like am I getting my point across on how and why this event is important? Do I need to describe the outfit in more or less detail? Also I have read essays from this prompt. They seem more narrative (More dialogue and more like they are talking about something in the present. While all the auto/biographies I have read are more "remembering" like they are recalling something from the past). So can you give me some opinions?

That was the moment I got my first taste of stardom. I was sitting on the sofa in my tiny Greenwich apartment with my friends. I usually don't watch award shows, but my first celebrity client was nominated for the MTV Movie Awards for best new actress. Out of the numerous press events I have clothed her for this was the first one being televised. Her movie was an indies rom-com that I had free-lanced for that summer. "This generation's Anne Hall" the critics had dubbed it. After dominating numerous film festivals it was now making its way to the masses. I worked on the set with her as wardrobe designer and after the movie became a sleeper hit she wanted me to dress her for the whole press tour. This was a great opportunity for me to create a name for myself by dressing this up and comer. Many fashion designers have got their careers started by showcasing their talents on Hollywood's fresh faces and now it was my turn. At that time I was still working for Zac Posen and doing some freelance. But I really wanted to get started on my own line and this was the kind of publicity I needed to get the ball rolling. The events so far have been a great success. She have gotten raving reviews on her performance. On top of that she and I have been making a splash on the fashion front. A few fashion blogs had even featured her in my clothes.

The MTV Movie Awards was award show was important to both her career and mine. She had to present herself as an actress to be wrecked with. For me this was an opportunity to showcase my designs to the millions of people watching. I have gone the attention of few heavy hitters in the fashion industry, but wooing the American public was a different matter. I had to find a way to get my design aesthetic out, but at the same time make millions of women ask "where did she get that" and I had only one outfit to do it. When I designed this look I wanted something that was playful yet strong. Also I wanted Leigh's look to stand out in the sea of bedazzled, bandage, and little black dresses what was the norm at these kinds of events. Leigh was a vision in the pale coral chiffon romper I designed for her. The color was perfect for her skin. The shorts were great for lengthening her petite frame. The blousy sleeveless top had a white Peter Pan collar was a nice contrast to the more fitted short bottom and it showed off her toned arms. To top off the look, I recruited my good friend Abby Smyth to design and make a flesh colored open-toe pump to give the outfit a little edge.

When the camera panned to Leigha working the red carpet in my outfit, I remember my friends and I harmonious shriek of excitement. "That color looks great on her" said Marco as he squeezed my hand. I squeezed back nervously, while I tightened my grip on the arm that was looped onto Abby's. Cutting my eyes was the response to Tia's "Are you nervous yet?" It was all good fun though; Tia and I have been pushing each other's buttons since we first met at VCU. What I really remember about that moment was when my friend Uno told me and Abby to chill out. "Guys! That outfit is amazing, I would wear that in a heartbeat" were her exact words. A surge of pride came over me that overshadowed my anxiety just for a moment. Though my nerves quietly returned as my client gave her first interview of the night and the moment I been waiting for crept closer. Leigh was funny and friendly. She breezed through the usual questions like pro; it was easy to tell she was going to go far in this business. Then it happened. "Leigha you look beautiful, who are you wearing?" My heart started racing. It was like all my emotions were boiling over. All my years of hard work had been to build up to this one moment."Gean Russo. She's such a talented designer." I sighed in relief as a smile of exultation slowly crept across my face.

The stuff I italicized I'm having problems with.
Stardom: I used a thesaurus but I can't really find a word I like. I'm using "stardom" as a placeholder right now but to me it seems like I'm only in it for the fame. I like recognition but it don't seem to be right for this essay. Any other suggestions.

My heart started racing. It was like all my emotions were boiling over. All my years of hard work had been building up to this one moment. : I don't know what direction I should go with this. Does this section seem okay?

Also should I plug VCU more?

What is VCU?
Your essay is great.
Stardom=how does first taste of famego? Or first experience of being a celebrity?
the amount of dialogue is fine, in my opinion.