But moving on to the matter at hand, last time I mostly focused on the bad attitudes and misbehavior shown by models. I did this because it was my biggest issue with fashion shows here. However, coming in a close second is my issue with fashion show organization. I understand that for the most part shows in Nevis are merely filler for some other type of event -- something you quickly throw together just so the crowd has something to see onstage while the Calypsonians/Queen show contestants are changing. However, it is becoming the trend that fashion shows are events in and of themselves, and thus should be treated as such. I will admit that there is a small group of fashion show organizers who try their best to get a show to run smoothly, but despite their best efforts I still find flaws. Maybe because I have spent time in a place where fashion shows were taken seriously by all involved that I’ve come to believe that the same is absolutely possible in Nevis -- an island and a people that I think can achieve anything if they really tried.

First, the biggest mistake I have seen, in a reoccurring manner, is the erroneous belief that by getting 10 to 12 models to walk the stage, the show should run smoothly. However, I have yet to go to a fashion show where this technique results in an event without hitches, or with no long gaps where a DJ/ MC had to fill the air with music or commentary. I do not care how professional the models are, having one group of people wearing a piece for all the designers will never work. The idea is that by the time model #10 is on stage, model #1 should already have changed. This is all well and good when changing involves taking off a simple dress and slipping on another. However, in these times where designers have become more technical in fashion, creating intricate pieces which can only be called artwork, it is impossible to get a girl change in a hurry. This is especially true when you factor in the fact that the designer may have to work slowly because of delicate fabric, lacing up or beading on the garment, and considering that each change may require the model to switch from one strappy shoe with plenty of buckles into another. All of these little things add up, and I haven’t even mentioned applying makeup smudged during the change, or brushing back fly-away strands of hair.

The fact is, the only failsafe way to ensure that shows run without a hitch is by having a model group. This is a technique I have used in shows before to allow ample time for a designer to dress their models properly and get onstage in time. It’s very simple, though more expensive. Instead of 10 or so models, you hire from 24 to as high as 40 models. Then you section these girls off into groups of eight to 10. A nice touch is making sure that there are a variety of body types in each group. Next, you get your list of designers and assign groups to each designer in order of appearance. So, designer #1 will get group A; designer #2 will be assigned group B; designer #3, group C; and designer #4, group D. From there, you recycle the model groups until you have exhausted your designer list. The idea is that at the beginning of the show, before the MC starts talking, backstage all of the models should be dressed for their first appearance, so that by the time group C is filing offstage after their finale and group D is ready to go on stage, group A should be almost, if not totally, dressed and ready for their next walk on the runway. Though not essential, a great idea is to pick your model groups days before the show, so that they can take time to go to the designer for fittings. This way everyone knows long before showtime what they are wearing and if it fits. The result will be a smooth show, in which the only time a model isn’t onstage is because the MC has to do an intro.

I know that having so many models requires more money to pay them, but here is where fashion show organizers have to be business savvy. I think that just like starting up a small business that you’re sure will make you money, you first need funding to get things going. So, the first thing you should do is put together a business plan that plainly lays out the intentions of the fashion show, and includes how many models you want to hire and how much it will take to pay them. Take your business plan to possible sponsors. I think it advisable to find a sponsor for model fees, as with all fashion show overhead, because this will ensure you have the funds to pay the models regardless of the shows outcome in profit. This has been an issue in that past, that bills are left unpaid due to low ticket sales.

I think I will leave it at that for this week. I have too many issues with fashion shows here to deal with any more in one day. Until next week, enjoy your weekend!

Don’t forget, you can email me at fashion2thestreet@gmail.com or find me on Facebook.