Emmys, Nordstrom and Fashion Shows

Let me update on what’s been going on lately. First let’s start with the fashion show that I volunteered for. It was very different, because I thought it was going to be a traditional fashion show. But no, it was a type of “platform modeling,” where the models had to be on platforms and pretend they were mannequins. It was very interesting to say the least. I was in charge of styling and dressing two models, a women and a little kid. It was a fun experience!

The Emmys just happened last night and everyone looked beautiful, here are some of my favorites…

Eva Longoria Parker in Robert Rodriguez

Tina Fey in Oscar de la Renta

Heidi Klum (My personal favorite)

 

And last but not least… I just found out that I got the job for Nordstrom! They said that they enjoyed my enthusiam and excitement and they would love to have me work in the Shoe Department. YAY! [Insert happy dance] 

The Day of the Show

Desire: A Fashion Show Inspiring Styles From Dawn to Dusk

Wow! The night before the show and the day of the show were a whirlwind to say the least. The last minute stress started the night before. We had to meet at the school to organize the clothes and pack up the stage and set. I was freaking out, because I wasn’t 100% sure that we had clothes assigned to all of the models. People were yelling at me to get everything done by a certain time. I almost cried from the stress, but I didn’t. I assigned people to certain jobs; organizing shoes, accessories, etc. We had to meet the models at the mall at 8 pm. So we dropped everything we were doing and ran over to the mall. A group of people put up the set while the rest worked with the models. I ran back and forth between both because I had to be in 100 places at once. Once the set was put in place and the changing tents were put up, all of the models were called over for a rehearsal on stage. A couple of people, including myself, had to time each category that came out. So say the least, they were sloooooow and confusing. Everyone was exhausted and upset, fights broke out and people got emotionally hurt. Parents of some of the models came, so it was time to call it a night. The Fashion Show Coordinators wanted me to come back to the school to finish organizing the clothes. They were nuts. I had my sister with me (a model), it was extremely late, and I was starting to feel sick. So I told them I had to get home and we would finish in the morning.

I barely slept that night.

Next morning, I woke up frantic and hyperventilating. I had a million things to do in so little time. I was supposed to meet the show coordinators at seven in the morning to finish everything. Once I get to school, I get a text message saying that everything was pushed to 7:45 and we had a meeting at Starbucks. Super annoyed already, my sister and I headed over to Starbucks, super early, and waited. It’s embarrassing to say, but I threw up from nerves and stress. So I met with the show coordinator and we went over all the details. So at 8:45 we headed over to the school where we were going to meet the makeup artists and our teacher. I got to work with all of the clothes with my helpers, while the models got their hair and makeup done. We packaged all the clothes up and were on our way to the mall at Noon. Once we got there, a little crowd had already gathered just out of curiosity. Backstage, we got all of the clothes organized. Dressers were assigned to their models. I was assigned to dress three guys, which were super easy. Countdown to the show started…

I had the hair and makeup people work on me, since I looked like death. Then we all got into place, models got into their first looks and then the commentary and music started. In a nutshell, the first show was NUTS. Chaos for sure. We were able to have a lunch break before the second show, I grabbed a soft pretzel and then passed out on the stage. One of the instructors came backstage said that it was time to start. Everyone got into their places and we started the show. I was weird, but this time there was an awkward calm in the dressing room. I think it was just because the stress of the first show was over with. Right before the finale, the student designs went out and then the designers went out. I designed and made an outfit, so I went out right after my model. It was quit an experience. After the student designs was the finale. It was fun, because everyone (including dressers and class) went onto the stage clapping. WE DID IT!!! After the show, I went right back to work. I had people help me organize all the clothes into store, we had to deliver all the clothes before the mall closed. I made sure we delivered all the clothes on time, and the store managers were very happy. I had to deliver some clothes to a store that was many blocks away from the mall, so while I did that, everyone took apart the stage and packed up. We all had to meet back at the school to put the classroom back in order. I wrote “Great Job Everyone!” on the whiteboard and everyone signed it, and then we took a picture. It was cute. Everyone wanted to go to a Mexican restaurant after, but personally, I wanted to go home and pass out. And that’s what I did.

It’s surreal that the show is over. We had worked on it all semester. All the hard work was seriously paid off. Everyone did a fabulous job! (Btw, we received rave reviews and it was considered one of the most professional shows in the schools history… AWESOME!)

(FYI these pictures where taken by my dad. I will be getting the professional ones and the DVD later. And I’ll share them of course)

One Day Left

Models have been selected and choreographed…

Clothes have been styled and stored…

Location has been booked and is ready…

The stage is set up…

Fashion Show potlucks have happened…

The rum bottle is empty…

Invitations have been sent…

RSVP’s received…

Organizing the outfits tonight…

TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY.

Desire: A Fashion Show Inspired By Styles From Dawn to Dusk

One Week Left

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! One week until the fashion show! 

Last night, we had to do some last minute busy work. I had to finalize the hair and makeup for the models. Everyone brought in shoes and accessories to help accessorize the models. I brought in a particular pair of heels (that are beautifulllll) to be used in a window display promoting our show in the library. 

We have had many fittings at the stores participating. We still have a few left. Ideally, I would like to do merchandise pulls on Wednesday. During class, I plan to get a group together and we will go to the mall with multiple clothing racks and the appropriate paperwork, and we will get the clothes we put together for the show. 

The paperwork I got last night will be greatly needed for the merchandise pull. Some things that are included are: Store, Store Manager, Itemized list of merchandise, Student who picks up and drops off clothing, Sales associate who oversees the merchandise pull, etc. 

We are holding a mandatory model practice tonight. I have to get there a little bit earlier, because there are a couple male models who haven’t had a fitting yet, and I have some clothes that they can try on. Once the models get there, we asked them to bring shoes and I will store and log the shoes for the show. The Fashion Show and Modeling Coordinators will work out the model line up and the choreography for the show. 

Modeling practice

Last night we had modeling practice. The head modeling coordinator couldn’t make it, so I was left in charge of leading everything. The Fashion Show Coordinators couldn’t get out of a class that they had at the same time, so I really was left in charge. The other modeling coordinator was a models, so he had to practice as well. 

I brought my baby brother with me, because I was babysitting at the same time. My younger sister is modeling in the show, so she came along as well. All of the models met in the hallway of the Fashion Studies building. 

I had everyone line up against a row of lockers and I started off by finding out their availability to see who could participate in the “faux fashion show” that we were going to hold in the student quad. After that, I had the models warm up by walking on a pretend T-shaped runway. 

We mixed it up by pairing them up and walking in pairs, and then singles. I love when they do simple interactions on the runway with each other. For example, one girl will be walking back and will pass a male model and then she will grab him hand and try to be flirty. Trust me it’s cute.

Tomorrow is the “faux fashion show” and hopefully the models work it. We need to advertise more for our show that is April 25th. 

Our practice area.

 

 

Show Update!

Yesterday was very hectic to say the least. I went straight from to school to the mall where we had a fitting schedules for our fashion show. I had some down time, so I enjoyed a giant plate of Panda Express, and then I met up with my Fashion Show Coordinator, Natalie, and we had a meeting about the model and merchandise line up. We were able to narrow down the models, decide which style category they best fit in, and how many outfits they would wear. At this point, there is going to be roughly 120 outfits… but I think we will be cutting some. After our meeting in the food court, we head down to the store that had the schedules fitting. We met up with about ten models, both guys and girls, and we had them all try on outfits and take pictures of them. The store managers were more than happy to help us with everything. I intended the fittings to be around an hour, but it turns out we stayed there for about three hours. After we finished with the models, we sent them on their merry way and then I had another short meeting with Natalie and one of the store group leaders. We discussed the next fitting, the location of the show, a possible reception after the show and brainstorming for fundraising. It was a fabulous day, I’m so happy we got a lot done.

And just so you know… all of my models signed contracts so they can have their pictures taken

Fashion Show Merchandise Selection

Merchandise is the whole point to the fashion show. The merchandise must have a strong stage presence, meant to sell the clothing. The selection of merchandise must make a clear fashion statement to the audience. It should match the theme of the show and needs of the audience. The merchandise must be appropriate to the age, sex, income, life style of audience and priced according to what they will spend on fashion.

Retail Merchandise Selection:

When borrowing merchandise from a store, it is important to project a professional image. Approach merchants with as much information as possible: show theme, categories, date, time, number of desired outfits, publicity. All retailers should be aware of other participating merchants and the same policies should be enforced equally.

Merchandise Categories:

The merchandise is coordinated into specific categories to make related statements. Groupings are formed after reviewing merchandise available from different retailers. There should be a flow between the categories and a pleasing order within the categories.

Timing:

Ten days to two weeks prior to the show, visit local retailers to review available merchandise. Merchandise is not reserved at this time. The show date needs to be close enough where the merchandise can be purchased after the show.

Merchandise Pull:

It is the physical removal of the merchandise from the store. Some retailers will set aside a specific area for fittings, others may ask you to work around customers in the dressing rooms.

Merchandise Fittings:

Fitting supplies can include the following: fitting sheets, pens, staplers, pencils. Pre-fitting organization requires you to have models sizes and have the merchandise ready.  Merchandise fittings involves matching the models with appropriate merchandise. It is important to organize fitting sessions to avoid wasted time of models, merchants and coordinators. Professional models are paid for fitting time. Plan fittings to be ten days to two weeks before the show.

Organize Line Up:

It is up to the Merchandise Coordinator to organize the model/merchandise line up. The line up is the organized listing of the order models will appear in the show. Do not allow personal preferences of models to interfere with merchandise order. The final line up is used for many different purposes during the show. Dressing areas are organized, placing models in specific areas to avoid confusion. Dressers, backstage manager and personal have an order to follow.

Fitting Sheets:

A sheet should be made for each outfit as the line up is finalized. It includes the sizing information, order number in the line up, detailed description of outfit. It must include a list of accessories, shoes and hosiery. There must be directions on how to wear the specific items.

Merchandise Loan Record:

It is the record of every item borrowed from a designer or retailer. There must be three copies: store/designer, persona responsible for return of items, instructor/show coordinator. The Loan Record includes many details like: description of garment, manufacturer, color, date of loan, authorization, who is responsible for returns, where it is store once it’s removed from store, size, price, department and store.

Fashion Show Planning and Committees

For a successful fashion show, there needs to be a lot of planning and detailed organization. It involves the preliminary preparations of the show. Planning must be appropriate for the type of show and the abilities of the group producing the show. It’s better to do an excellent job on a smaller show, versus a mediocre job on a larger show. Communication is key and must be well defined and functional. The more organized the planning process is, the more confident you will be when the show goes up. There are many contributing factors in planning a good show…

Audience: The first step in planning a fashion show is determining who the audience will be. The merchandise must math the audiences interests. There are two types of audiences. First is Guaranteed, where the audience is established before the show is organized. Second is Created, where it is established after the show is planned. It is the result of publicity and advertising. Audience size is also an important factor. A production or runway show might require a larger audience, versus a smaller audience is more intimate. You must consider the age of the audience and what they are interested in. The audience’s income also influences the style of the show, people with more money will be more willing to buy things off the runway. 

Leadership: Fashion Show Coordinator carries the responsibility of producing the show and everything involved. They must be able to communicate with everyone involved both in writing and verbally. Details should be written so everyone can refer back to them. They should have a notebook on every detail of the show: tasks to be completed, follow-up dates, future needs of the show, etc. They must be flexible to work around difficulties when they arise. Modeling Coordinator is responsible for selecting and training models. They coordinate the model’s activities, organizes and supervises modeling rehearsals. They work closely with: merchandise team, modeling coach, beauty technicians, hair and makeup. They must get model’s information; measurements, contact numbers, etc. Staging Coordinator oversees the production of the stage and runway. They supervise people providing services behind the scenes: prop managers, lighting technicians, etc. Promotion Coordinator is accountable for the creation and distribution of promotional materials. There are different factors in promotional needs: Press release, tickets, table decorations, hire photographer, press photographs, invitations, signage. Merchandise Coordinator (that’s ME!) selects appropriate merchandise for the show with other merchandise committee members. They supervise and schedule fittings with models. They are in charge of the model line up for the show. They organize and supervise the dresser and starters behind the stage.

Luke, I am… The Merchandise Coordinator

Ok… so it would be incredibly sad if you saw me right now. I’m on the verge of a nervous breakdown. The show my fashion show class is putting on later this spring has made me a little… jumpy. Or maybe it’s the second iced coffee I just inhaled? But still, As Merchandise Coordinator, I have a lot of responsibilities and it’ has me stressin’.

Don’t get me wrong, I L-O-V-E every single bit of the whole planning process of producing a fashion show. It makes me HAPPPPPPPY… ok, I think that was the coffee talking, but yes, I love it. So far, I have about ten stores signed up for the show, give or take a few. I have a committee, and I have separated all the stores into groups and have assigned people to each group. At this point, I really don’t know if anyone is actually doing their jobs. I need to step up my game and make sure we get every thing done by the deadlines I set for us.

I think I need another coffee.

Yes, no… yes… no… YES!

Ahhhh, the inner monologue never stops. Coffee wins.

So anyways, where was I? Oh yes, so maybe it’s just me, but I tend to get over excited or over stressed? I don’t know. One thing I do know is that I need to go to at least two of the stores and pick out about fifty outfits for men and women each. Last weekend, I dragged my friend along with me to one of the stores and I made her try on millions of outfits while I vigorously took notes on the whole ordeal.

This coming Wednesday, we care going to have another model casting call. Last time, we had a good turn out and a lot of people came. The Fashion Show Coordinators weren’t satisfied, so we’re opting for another casting call.

Well, have I accomplished anything yet? I know that I need coffee to help me crack the whip on my little minions to get anything done with this show. Other than that… it’s still a work in process. Oh… wow… my body has started to literally vibrate from the coffee overdose. Barista, time to cut me off.

Fashion Show Planning and Committees

I was so tired this morning, just running on coffee and Poptarts… but I woke right up when I got to my Fashion Show class. My teacher told us that she was going to lecture and then we would brainstorm a theme for the fashion show we are going to produce. I am fascinated by the industry of fashion show production. Here are some major points we talked about…

Fashion Show Planning and Committees:

The fashion event requires advance planning and greatly detailed organization. Planning involves all the preliminary preparations of the show. The planning must be proper for the type of show and the abilities of the group producing the show. It is better to do an excellent job on a small show and not a mediocre job on a large show. Communication is very important and must be well defined and functional. The more organized you are, the more confident you will be when the show goes up.

The first step is planning a fashion show catering to a certain audience. The merchandise must match the audiences interests. There are two types of audiences. Guaranteed Audience is an audience that is established before the show is organized. A Created Audience is one that is established after the show is planned. It is the result of publicity and advertising. A retailer can use a fashion show to attract an audience. A production or runway show might require a large audience. Consider the age of the audience when planning the show. Younger audiences need to be constantly entertained. It is usually necessary to have louder, more contemporary music with a faster beat.

Leadership is very important. One of the first steps in planning a show is planning who is going to be the planning leaders.

Fashion Show Coordinator carries the responsibilities of producing the show, involved in everything. They must be able to communicate with everyone involved, both verbally and in writing. Must keep a notebook of every detail of the show: tasks to be completed, follow up dates, and future needs of the show. They must be able to forsee problems and be flexible to work around difficulties when they arise. Many people are involved in the show and it’s important for the show coordinator to know everything that the others are doing.

Model Coordinator is responsible for selecting and training models. They coordinate the model’s activities. Organizes and supervises modeling rehearsals. The work closely with: merchandising team, modeling coach, beauty technicians, hair and makeup. They are in charge of getting models full names, mailing addresses, e-mail and sizing information.

Staging Coordinator oversees everything that involves the stage and runway. Supervises people providing services behind the scenes: Prop managers, lighting technicians, stage hands, music.

Promotion Coordinator is accountable for the creation and distribution of promotional materials.

Merchandise Coordinator selects appropriate merchandise for the show with other merchandise committee members. They supervise and schedule fittings with models. The Merchandise Coordinator works out the model line up. They must organize the dressers and the starters. They are also in charge of dressing room supervision.

For the fashion show my class is going to produce, I would like to be on the merchandising team. I have already recruited ten models, so maybe I should be on the modeling team as well. I can’t wait!