Ask Fashion Girl

Dear Fashion Girl,

Dear Fashion Girl,

My high school sewing class is planning a fashion show of their designs for next spring. I am in charge of organizing the entire show. Can you help me with theme ideas and tips on making sure the show runs smoothly?

Thanks, Kris

Dear Kris,

What a fun event to organize! Since your classmates are creating items for the show, consider taking a vote on a theme once you have narrowed down several possibilities to choose from. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

  • Hippie Happening, or 1980's Punk Party
  • Tell a story: Alice's Adventures in Fashion Land, Camelot's Clothing, or Sherlock's Case of Chic
  • Fast-forward into the future: Space 2002 Styles, Intergalactic Fads, or Robotic Runway
  • Take a virtual tour: Base the show on your own area or take the audience on a trip to another locale. For example, if you are in the Pacific Northwest, how about a Caribbean Cruise? If you live in Florida, go for a Mountain Hiking Excursion.

The best theme ideas will come when you let your imagination go wild! Haute couture (high fashion) shows in Paris are all about creative themes. Designers like John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, and Jean Paul Gaultier are notorious for their theatrical fashion shows. Visit your local library for fashion books or search online to see highlights of their shows for inspiration.

The key to making your show run smoothly is to start planning now. You need to find and reserve a location, determine the date and time, and start recruiting models as soon as possible. Use a calendar to create a timed schedule of tasks leading up to the show. The earlier you begin to put things in motion, the less stress you'll have when showtime arrives. Set deadlines, print out master schedules for everyone involved in the fashion show, and hold weekly production meetings. My last suggestion is to have fun! The planning and organizing part is half the fun of a fashion show!

Check out this excellent step-by-step guide to organizing a fashion show and see an example of a fashion show timeline: http://www.napcor.com/fashionshow.html

Sincerely, Fashion Girl