Fashion shows are fabulous…if you get to be a spectator! Pulling every detail together to make a show happen is a very different story. Being the marketing coordinator, a lot of planning and prep that goes into an event like this, and with every fashion show, I think I'm getting better at it! Keep reading…and hopefully your head doesn’t start spinning!
Mark Shale had the privilege to be the sole fashion provider at the 7th annual “Chefs & the City” tasting & fashion show to benefit Vital Bridges. It was held last weekend at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago. Vital Bridges works to help people impacted by HIV and AIDS build healthier lives. Led by their amazing Development Director Hank Watson, our intensive planning and teamwork made sure that the night went off without a hitch.
We wanted to give the attendees a preview of the spectacular merchandise we have coming in for fall. And yeah………so what if we’re in the midst of a massive heat wave (a.k.a. “summer in Chicago”)? So what if our summer sale is going on? So what if we’re scarce on the new fall merchandise? And, who’s thinking, “I want to be wearing leather and cashmere!” in mid - July? It’s time for a fall fashion show, so get over it and let’s get started!!!
After hounding our contacts at our favorite fashion lines by placing an endless number of phone calls and emails, I was able to obtain sample garments to feature in our show. All together, I received 50 spectacular pieces, which made for a nice presentation.
Fitting all of our models into the samples was the next series of “To Do” items on the list. When we choose clothing currently available in our stores we can always size up or size down, but with samples, it’s a moving target: which models will look and fit best in each outfit? Being given only one size from the manufacturer made the fittings very challenging. I shouldn’t complain though - I love my job most on the days when we’re fitting the male models! What a bunch of cuties - AND they happen to be incredibly nice guys!
Another tricky element is getting the line-up just right. We had 6 women and 4 men from Ford Models, with 45 minutes to get noticed, make a statement, and be remembered. Maria envisioned a model installation instead of a traditional runway show. So we had 9 vignettes with a fashion story in each. The models were perfectly comfortable improvising. They pow-wowed and came up with their "stage plan." They were going to pair up and had these great scenarios they were going to act out. I didn't know how it would come across in the show but I trusted them implicitly.
“Madhouse” is the only word to describe the changing room at a show. The more time we can give each model to change, the better. Model order and flow is very important. I think I had 8 versions before settling on the perfect sequence.
After securing the model arrangement we began to piece together all of the other aspects of each look. Patsy Grey provided one-of-a-kind jewelry made from her vintage findings and we met to choose show-stopping bling to enhance our looks. The next stop was Lori’s Shoes. Who knew shoe shopping could be so intense! I thought this would be the fun and easy part, but running around the store trying to find the right footwear for almost 30 looks before the shop opened to the public was craziness, plain and simple. Of course, none of the models could wear the same pair twice - that would have been too easy! And then at the very end, we pulled accessories and handbags from Mark Shale to complete each outfit. Not an easy task, but probably the easiest thing to accomplish in our list!
I knew we were in good hands for hair and make-up. Charles Lord is the tresses magic man and Maria has never done a show without him. After reviewing our clothing and hat selections Charles could roll with his vision. MAC provided a fantastic team and took the models’ beauty to whole new level.
Thankfully I had a wonderful team backstage to support, organize, and dress the models. With the stylists and buyers working hard to prep the models I knew each vignette would be flawless. Every garment was pressed, zipper was zipped, and shoe was tied. The models looked impeccable.
Ready...set...GO!
And then...
...it was over.
I could finally sigh with relief. The whole evening was an absolute whirlwind and ended in a blink. But I think we would all agree that the energy we put into the event was well worth it, in support of such a great cause!