Sometimes it feels as though you may burst from the excitement and stress of your first runway show. So many things to do in addition to finishing your collection in time; Hotel booked? Check, Flight scheduled? Check. Have the shoes arrived from the sponsor???You are almost there and you are down to the final fitting. In most cases, for Independent Designers the first fitting will be your only fitting and it will likely happen just days beforehand. What should you expect and how do you prepare?
Firstly, you should have a TO DO/BRING list. This will make it much easier on you in such a stressful, hurried period. Make sure you have your plan for transporting the clothing to the fitting and show and know where you are shipping it, if you aren’t traveling with it. Have your garment bags ready to make sure your collection is protected at all times.
At the fitting, usually the show producers will take Polaroid’s of each model in the final pieces to use for their boards. These will be used to keep the looks in order and tell the backstage team which model will be wearing it. You may also wish to have someone there to take photos for yourself.
You should have already chosen your hair and makeup looks for your show. Always check beforehand with your production liaison if the hair team will be providing any hair pieces or wigs, and if you have a particularly intense makeup look you need to check if you need to provide ancillary items such as false eyelashes, appliqués, crystals, etc. And bring them to the fitting. Keep in mind, some of you may do a group show at first so be flexible as you may be sharing models so you may need to compromise on hair and/or makeup looks.
Let’s say you made 17 pieces and are showing 10. Bring a few alternate pieces just in case. It’s always better to have backup. Things happen, you may realize a piece that seemed great, all of a sudden doesn’t quite jive with the rest of the collection. Better to be safe than sorry.
What to bring with you to your fitting:
What to bring with you to your fitting:
• Your seamstress, if it’s not you, to mark and pin where needed
• Assistant(s)
• An alteration kit including: measure tape, pins, needles, thread(s), extra embellishments, buttons, zippers, seam ripper, double stick tape and safety pins
• Shoes! Also include shoe tape and cotton balls to stuff the toes, if necessary
• Any accessories that will be used on show day including; jewelry, bags, hair/makeup accessories and props
• Extra fabric if needed
• Camera
• A smile. Remember to have fun with this!
• Assistant(s)
• An alteration kit including: measure tape, pins, needles, thread(s), extra embellishments, buttons, zippers, seam ripper, double stick tape and safety pins
• Shoes! Also include shoe tape and cotton balls to stuff the toes, if necessary
• Any accessories that will be used on show day including; jewelry, bags, hair/makeup accessories and props
• Extra fabric if needed
• Camera
• A smile. Remember to have fun with this!
~Rebecca Strong, Nolcha Fashion Services Director
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