Strike a Pose

I imagine few of us get to plan a fashion show. I love watching the ones on TV that are done by the big-named designers with models strutting down the catwalk wearing the most unusual, impractical articles of clothing. You’ve seen these; fashion shows that look more like art installations than fashion shows where you ask yourself where the clothes are. I have had the pleasure of planning a couple of fashion shows, nothing on the scale of New York, Milan, or Paris, but they were fun just the same. As I was watching one of my favorite movies recently, one that revolves around fashion, I got to thinking about planning another fashion show.

Some fashion shows are put on to showcase a designer’s new collection, however, it is not the only reason you might want to plan one. I helped organize a fashion show that was a fundraiser for an organization combined with a new boutique’s grand opening. The new clothing store was able to introduce their fashion to the community and receive great exposure through the event’s marketing and advertising campaign. The host organization not only received the proceeds from ticket sales, they were given a portion of any orders the boutique received that day. Also to aide the organization’s fundraising, the models donated their time which was a win-win situation as well. They received the benefit of having other potential fashion show organizers watch them in action and the host organization saved money by not paying them to model.

Another type of fashion show I helped plan was a modesty fashion show for high schoolers. This was the brain-child of a local student ministries pastor. He dreamed up this dinner-theater-style event where students invited a parent on a dinner “date.” It was a formal affair where students were exposed to etiquette as they learned to maneuver family-style dinner service, lift butter pats without dropping the butter knife, lay a linen napkin in their laps, and navigate a plethora of silverware. At the same time, other students were strutting their stuff on the runway looking hip and trendy while still covering all of the necessary body parts. We partnered with a couple of local clothing stores who donated the clothes to the students and everyone had a great time.

When planning a fashion show, not only do you need models, clothing, and a runway, but of course an eye-catching light show, heart-pumping music, stellar technical and production support, an emcee, decor, and seating for attendees. Ticket sales, marketing, photographers, and the media also need to be coordinated. And, depending on the goals and objectives of the fashion show, a whole separate red carpet event may need to be coordinated to capture the beautiful and unique couture as it shows off for the cameras when the guests arrive. I would make sure there is plenty of back stage space to store clothing, shoes, and accessories as well as dressing rooms and hair and makeup studios. Key to any good-looking runway is also room for an onsite seamstress complete with iron and steam stations.

Hard core fashion shows are timed to the second. The music and the models are in sync with one another and it can take an army to organize. There needs to be someone to ensure the models are lined up correctly, a stage hand to send models onto the runway at the exact right time, another person with an eye for the finishing touches, and still others like caterers, bartenders, servers, janitors, and back of house staff.

To wrap up the event, there is usually an after party. When a fashion show revolves around a single designer, they host a VIP, invitation-only party to thank those who were integral to the process of getting the designer to where they are today. Friends, family members, investors, models, magazine representatives all gather together for a few more hours to make sure the evening has been sufficiently celebrated.

Do you have experience planning a fashion show? If so, share something you learned
with others below or send me an email!

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