Have you ever dreamed of attending New York, Milan, London or even Paris fashion week? Fashion shows from the view of the audience are all about elegant collections, beautiful models, dreamy dresses and crowds frothing with anticipation to experience the designer’s vision of the season. Photographers with cameras clicking, a DJ spinning upbeat music and the air crackling with anticipation for the final walk - will the creative director be worthy of a standing ovation?
But what about behind the scenes? Is it really all that magical? Producing a fashion show takes a lot of carefully orchestrated tasks from many hands. Seamstresses and stylists, hair and makeup artists, dressers and assistants, not to mention the models and the model handlers make up only a part of the team it takes to put on a show. Last minute decisions, such as an unexpected model change, a look that just doesn’t need to be in the line up, or a mishap with the clothes while being dressed, can all be a small bump in the road (or possibly a roadblock) to a smooth show.
I was walking in a show for a charity event a few years ago and half way down the runway the sound system cut out. Imagine the surprise in the room when I froze in place hoping that the music would come back on in seconds. After what seemed like forever, I just smiled and continued walking to the end of the runway, completed a few classic “model pivots” and walked back to the middle. Eventually the music did come back on, but it was an incredibly stressful thirty seconds that I was left to my own devices to entertain the attendees in the Beverly Hills Hotel ballroom that afternoon! Mistakes happen and I was able to adapt to the situation. That is probably the most important backstage rule at any fashion event.
For the past few seasons, big name fashion houses have been showing their collections on social media and creating mini movies to showcase the latest creations. Hopefully we will return to traditional fashion shows in the near future. If you are interested in seeing a local Alpharetta fashion show, highlighting some lovely boutiques and their upcoming holiday collections, be on the lookout for an announcement about a fashion show to be held in early November produced by Next Chapter Productions. Visit HiddenGemsWithGrace.com to sign up for emails so that you can be added to the VIP list. Hidden Gems with Grace highlights small boutiques that are special to the local shopper who is looking to support small businesses with character and style. There will be champagne, charcuterie and holiday cheer. It will be a fashion show so wonderful that everyone will want to be on the VIP invitation list!
