Have you ever wondered what its like
to work backstage at a fashion week? Well keep reading!
Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity
to work backstage at FashionInDurham, a four day long fashion event, filled
with fashion shows, late night shopping, showcases and thrift fairs. The events
were open publically from the 26th June to the 29th and
were spread all across the city centre.
Tuesday
Job Roles : runner
Working Times : 9:30am – 4:30pm
Tuesday started off pretty early. No
event was happening this day, but a lot of setting up needed doing. My first
job role was visiting all
participating shops around the city to pick up any freebies or vouchers that
they wanted to be given away in the goodie bags. At the same time, I also had
the slightly boring job of handing out leaflets. After lunch, we had to go to
all of the participating high street stores to pick up the outfits for the
catwalks that were being held on the Saturday and Sunday. Stores included Topshop,
New Look, Monsoon, Accessorize, Sorella and many others. We picked up 6 outfits
from all 24 high street stores and each outfit then had to be checked to make
sure everything was looking good and would fit the models.
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My Uniform for the Week |
Wednesday
Job Roles : model finder/fitter and
quick changes backstage
Working Times : 12:30pm – 10:30pm
(then an after party until 2am J)
Wednesday was the night of the
Designer Catwalk and Launch Party, and my favourite night of the week. Both
established and emerging designers from the North East showcased from 2-6
pieces from their latest collection on the catwalk, located in the Slug andLettuce, a gastro-bar. The day was packed with model fittings for each designer, sorting out
the running order, hair and makeup and catwalk run-throughs. At 7pm, the
catwalk began. Backstage was manic, but amazing! I was in the team of three
quick changers. We were responsible for making sure all models had the correct
outfit on at the right time. Models had to change outfits in about 1 minute so
lots of clothes were being flung about but thankfully, no outfits or anything
were out at the wrong time and everything ran very smoothly! The night was
compered by former big brother winner, Anthony Hutton.
After the catwalk there was a launch
party! I sneaked my lovely friend Rachael in and we had a great night. Thanks
to the guest DJ, Kenny Dick.
Makeup Station |
Face Charts for the Night |
Makeup by PHAB and Boots |
Final touches to the models' hair |
Dress by Rhada |
Image by Durham City Studios |
Thursday
Job Roles : quick changes backstage
Working Times : 3pm – 10pm
The Summer Soirée held by Woven was a gents night held in the Gates Shopping Centre. The night had a variety of entertainment, a drinks reception hosted by
the new bar in Durham, Wiff Waff, who also provided food and ping pong
throughout the evening. Music was by DJ Pete Wharrier and a local acoustic
singer and winner of Consett’s The Busker Factor, Zoe Bowman. There was also
shoe shining, men on penny farthings and freshly baked cakes and canapés and
home made pins on sale, from local business, Flat White. To finish the night
here, there was a catwalk showcasing Woven’s summer trends and staple garments.
Again, I was on a team of three, helping with quick changes backstage.
Also happening around town was Durham’s Style
Night and a few fringe events. A late night shopping event throughout the high
street stores with live mannequins modelling outfits in the shop windows. A
live caberet and drinks reception at Sorella. Topshop hosted a drink, food and
music night at the Slug and Lettuce and there was an opportunity to meet the
designer of Rohan, Chris Vandrill.
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Image by Durham City Studios |
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Image by Durham City Studios |
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Image by Durham City Studios |
Cheesy grins from me and Glenn backstage! |
Friday
Job Roles : outfit
sorting and setting up
Working Times : 2pm
– 10pm
On Friday, the
event which took place was the Glitter Ball. A canapé and drinks reception,
catered by Cheese and Pickle, with live mannequins modelling jewellery by Pears
Boutique, The Mugwump, Cuba Lily and Marla Jones. It was also the launch of
Moon Jewellery. Music was provided by Zoe Bowman and fashion illustrations on
the night were done by the amazing, Melissa Bailey. Exclusive goody bags and
discounts were given away on the night. This event was relatively straight
foreward and therefore didn’t need much help from me. During this event, a few
workers and I, helped out with the setting up, sorting out and fittings for
Saturday and Sunday’s catwalk shows. Throughout the day, all models had to come
in and have their fittings. Outfits were then sorted through and set out in
order, on rails so that the models would each have a rail for the next day.
Helping set up the outfits was very exciting for me, as we got to see
un-released clothing from high street stores, and how they could be styled. A
quick heads up – New Look have some AMAZING heels and ankle boots coming for
the late summer / autumn! Outfits were also provided by Oxfam Boutique, a
designer charity shop. These outfits were put together in a really creative
way! I especially loved the vintage shirt worn under a vintage Ted Baker dress
with a very old pony-skin top hat. It looked amazing!
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Jessica modelling at the Glitter Ball - Image by Durham City Studios |
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Image by Durham City Studios |
Saturday &
Sunday
Job Role : quick
changes backstage
Working Times : 8am
– 4pm
I was away in
Manchester on Saturday 28th, so unfortunately I couldn’t be there,
however the catwalks were the same on thew Sunday and I was back for then.
Three high street catwalks were held throughout the day, showcasing all the
outfits we had sorted on the Friday. Outfits ranged from casual to formal, sporty
to beachwear and some very quirky outfits from Oxfam. I was responsible for
quick changes backstage and also any sorting of outfits. Anthony Hutton again
compared the show. On Sunday, a thrift fare also took place. This event
featured vintage and second hand fashion as well as workshops on how to upcycle
your clothing and professional stylists were there to show you how to make the
most of charity shop chic. There was also a beauty bar, where you could get a
professional makeover, and a helter-skelter for the kids! Unfortunately, as I
was working backstage at the catwalks, I couldn’t go, but I have heard that it
was a great success! After the catwalk, we had to then sort out the clothes one
last time, back into the dress bags for each individual shops.
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Image by Durham City Studios |
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Image by Durham City Studios |
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Image by Durham City Studios |
Working at Durham
Fashion Week, for me, was an amazing opportunity and I loved every minute of
it. The working hours were very long, but when you're doing something you love,
its worth it right? I would like to say a big thanks to Durham Bid for making
the week happen, and thanks to all high street stores who took part, Boho
Modeling Agancy for providing excellent models and all the Hair and Beauty
stylists!
For more info on
the week, you can contact me, or visit Durham Bid on Facebook here, or
FashionInDurham on Twitter here.
A big thanks to Durham City Studios for their images!
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