This past week was fashion week for San Antonio. There were so many events to go to. Unfortunately, for me, most were at night and I had class and was unable to attend. I was, however, able to attend one of the shows, Couture on a Budget at Hotel Indigo, as volunteer. This show was interesting, but I would like to talk about the backstage events. Obviously, with the craziness that goes on with make-up, hair, outfit changes, line up, and jewlery there needs to be some organization (my specialty). Because I wasn't running the show I didn't want to "step on toes," so my attention went to the orders of the President of the Stitch club at the International Academy of Design and Technology. She a bright woman, but unfortunately her skills in running an event where lacking. No specific position were given to assistants, no schedules were timed out, and the line-up was done shortly before the show. Now, don't get me wrong I respect her and did everything she had me do. I'll be honest, there was a moment were I paniced because no one in the line- up was in order. The assistants were mixing the girls and the clothes and I lost where we were in the line-up. This was not good. Backstage management is important.
This is what I would do different.
Instead of 4 assistants to change the girls I would use 3. One to undress, one to dress, and one to verify touch-ups and place back in line. Everyone, including make-up, hair, models, and assistants, would have to arrive 5 hours earlier. If the volunteers/ assistants can not make it to the meeting or rehearsal on time for what ever reason they should not be included in the process. This is because they won't know what is going on and will only confuse everyone else. Eliminating confusion is the key point. If they want to attend the show free of cost then they would need to speak to the sponsor of the club on how to do so. Arriving late, specially as an officer, is unacceptable behavior and will be seen as unprofessional for the club and sponsors.
The first hour would be dedicated to organization and position clearification. Assigning everyone to a specific position will create less confusion.
The second hour will be dedicated to understanding their jobs. The 3 assistants in the changing line and the models will rehearse getting in to and out of the outfits. The make-up artist and hair dresser wil be on call behind scenes for touch-ups.
The third hour will be lunch, everyone eats at the same time, so A.) there isn't anyone about to pass out, B.) everyone is satified, and C.) everyone is back and the same time and is ready to continue.
The fourth hour is hair nd make- up time. Half the models get set to hair and the other half to make-up. Then they switch. Meantime assistants will stuff bags and review a detailed guest list, which will include actual names as well as the company's name. Just a word of advise, most companies now have a website that has pictures of their top managers, which are usually the ones that attend, so this list may include pictures to match the names. There should be at least 4 assistants, with radios, for this list. Each assistant should be placed at each corner of the seating and should also radio each other of who they sitted.
The final hour before the show starts is for dressing. All models report backstage and get into their first outfits and jewlery. Once dressed the models should be placed in the line-up accordingly.
Now the line up should go not only from shortest to tallest, smallest to biggest, but also in order of changes. For example, you have 8 models and 5 models are to repeat, then the 5 repeating models for first. This is common logic. So when the first repeat goes, she is changed and put back in line and so on. Smooth and easy.
Preparation is all the necessary. Remember Ladies and Gents, the Truth hurts.
Always true,
Agatha Marie
