How to Plan a Fashion Show

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models walking on a catwalk during a fashion show

When you look at how to plan a fashion show, there are a lot of steps to creating just the perfect event. The event needs to captivate the audience, provide value, and have that certain wow factor. Plus, it should show off the clothes and accessories in just the right way. The overall theme can take the audience on a journey that ends with them enjoying the fashion show that was put on.

In order to make sure your runway show comes off without a hitch, it’s helpful to have the right full-service fashion firm that specializes in fashion show runway production, like our team at Sit Front Row. Whether it’s a show for a corporation, a charitable endeavor, or even a fashion line, we’re your go-to experts on how to plan a fashion show. Here are the steps we’ll take to make sure your runway show is a success.

Step 1: Define Your Goals and Budget

When you are looking at how to plan a fashion show, you need a certain goal in mind. Is it for charity? Just a fun event at a corporate convention? Or are you trying to create sales and buzz for your brand? Whatever the goal is, you also need to come up with a specific budget. That way you’ll know exactly what you’re spending, and the kind of runway show we can put on for you at Sit Front Row.

Step 2: Choose a Theme and Venue

There are different types of fashion shows. For example, seasonal themes are popular. There are ones like “Winter Wonderland” or “Beach Party Summer.” You have to decide on what type of theme would suit your event the best. What kind of emotions and feelings do you want to evoke at your event?

Contributing to the overall theme includes picking just the right venue. The venue, or where the runway show is located, is really going to set the mood for the whole fashion show. It could take place in a local art museum, the grand ballroom of a hotel, or even places that are iconic to a city, like an event space at Navy Pier in Chicago.

Step 3: Assemble Your Team

Whoever is helping you plan the runway show is a part of the event team. When you partner with us at Sit Front Row, our talented staff will be with you every step of the way, making sure that your runway show is a success. We will handle it all, from “concept to catwalk” using our team of talented experts who have done hundreds of these types of events.

Step 4: Select Your Models and Designers

We will work with a talent agency that represents models to find the right ones for the show. Sometimes, if it’s for a charity show, people involved in the non-profit will walk in at least part of the show. Runway for a cause is always a successful money-maker for many different non-profit organizations. People are more generous when they are entertained. The designers will need to be selected as well if it’s not for a specific brand that is showcasing their own clothing. Designers usually like participating in corporate or charity shows, since this is also great advertising and a way to get more recognition for their designs.

Step 5: Plan Your Run of Show

The runway show starts with the budget, theme, location, and selection of models. Then we will take care of all the little details that you may not even think of. That includes music, lighting, choreography, and total event management. If you are a clothing brand, you’ll have to decide on how many looks you want to feature. All the details will come together to create just the perfect fashion show that will surprise and delight the audience.

women models walking on a runway during a fashion show

Step 6: Promote Your Fashion Show

You’ll promote your show with all of your contacts, and send out the invites to the people you want to attend. This will look a little different depending on the type of fashion show you are having. For example, if it’s a corporate event at a convention, everyone will know about the show since they get a schedule of events for the entire convention.

If it’s for a local clothing boutique, you can send out invites to the show via your client email list and advertise that it’s going to happen with fliers in your store. Don’t forget social media. This is another great way to advertise that you’re going to have a fashion show. It will reach a lot of clients who regularly look at your social media pages for new launches and special store events.

Step 7: Coordinate Rehearsals & Finalize Details

To make sure everything is going to go off without a hitch, there will need to be a rehearsal. This is where all the models come together, and we’ll finalize all the details for the order of the show. The rehearsal usually happens the day before, or even the morning of the event, depending on access to the event space.

Step 8: Execute Your Fashion Show

When we plan your show at Sit Front Row, the best part is the day of the event. You can sit back and watch while we execute the ideal fashion show. We’ll make sure it’s a gorgeous event that highlights exactly what you want it to be. Glamour. Excitement. Beauty.

Simplify Planning with Sit Front Row

Planning a fashion show can be an overwhelming ordeal, especially if you have never done it before. That’s why it’s better to simplify planning with Sit Front Row. Our experts are meticulous about every detail to make it a stunning runway event. It can even take your brand to the next level. Contact us today if you would like to have a consultation about our services for putting on fashion shows in the Chicago area.