This document provides guidance on planning a fashion show. It discusses selecting a theme; establishing a budget; finding a venue; choosing a date and time; hiring necessary personnel like designers, models, hair and makeup artists, stage crew; setting up the runway and venue; running rehearsals; and executing the fashion show. The key steps involve deciding on a theme, budget, and venue early; recruiting volunteers when possible to reduce costs; holding rehearsals to work out any issues; and running the actual event on schedule.

1. By
Mrs .J.Athirstam,M.Sc., M.Phil., D.C.D.D.M.,

2. DECIDE A THEME
 All fashion shows are centered around a general
theme. A theme could be fall fashion, beach fashion,
lingerie, or costumes.
 Alternatively, the theme could focus on a particular
color or fabric.
 The music, lighting, and decorations will have to go
along with this theme.

3. DECIDE A BUDGET
 If coordinating a fashion show to raise money for charity,
to keep costs as low as possible. What kind of money,
expect from donations. These funds to defray the cost of a
fashion show.
 Decide on a price for ticket sales. These will be the primary
means of getting a profit or money for a charitable cause.
 The price of tickets should be enough to cover costs of the
show plus enough to reach a desired profit or donation
goal.
 If local designers and professionals will volunteer their
time and services for the show to offset some of the costs.

4. FIND A VENUE
Choose a place with lots of seating that can accommodate a
runway, lights, and speakers. For a local fashion show, the
most common places to hold them are schools and event
centers.
 Often times, a school will have a stage where you can build
a runway.
 Remember, if you want to have a successful fashion show
you will need to have practice sessions.
 Make arrangements with your venue to have rehearsals.
 Make sure the venue has a private place for models to
change and get hair and makeup.

5. CHOOSE DATE AND TIME
 This will sometimes depend on the venue for your show.
Decide whether you want to have a daytime or evening
show.
 Fashion shows are often very short events, lasting from 30
minutes to an hour.
 The time may depends on the theme and the audience.
 If the theme is beach wear, it might opt to have the show
outside during the day.
 If the theme is evening wear, it should opt for an evening
show.
 To have an evening show, be prepared to provide some type
of entertainment such as a DJ or band.

6. Lighting and music
 These will depend on the theme and venue. A venue
may have a lighting system in place to use.
 Music should go along with the theme of the show. For
example, a show featuring beach wear should have
upbeat and bright, happy music.
 Regardless of the theme, the music should have a good
beat for models to catwalk.

7. BACKSTAGE MANAGER
 This is the person who will know exactly what needs to happen
during the show. All major problems will be directed at this
person.
 This person will make sure everyone is doing assigned tasks.
 This person needs to have good organizational skills as well as
people skills.
 He will need to have a good relationship with the stylists,
designers, and models in order for the show to go smoothly.
 She should be able to pitch in and help with any of the jobs
backstage whenever she is needed.
 Hire a local event planner or producer, or to donate the time and
skills for a charity fashion event.
 Ideally, to organizing this event for a charity someone from the
fundraising committee could perform this job.

8. FIND DESIGNERS AND LOCAL BOUTIQUES
 Need a source for clothing and involve designers and local
fashion business people on your team. Need everything
from clothing to shoes and accessories.
 Ask designers and boutiques to donate or loan clothing to
the fashion show.
 Offer to provide an ad and credits to the designers in your
program. This will help them to build business.
 Ask them to appear onstage at the end of the show. That
way can be involved and recognized.
 Some designers might want to be involved backstage with
fitting clothing to models. Any type of involvement from
the designers will help the show to go smoothly.

9. FIND MODELS FOR A SHOW
 Models can be professional models or volunteers. If
looking for professional models, hold an open casting call
or contact local modeling agencies.
 If looking for volunteers, make sure to advertise on social
media and in local papers.
 Look for models from a diverse range of ethnic
backgrounds, body types, and shapes.
 Think about featuring both male and female models,
depending on your theme.


10. ENLIST HAIR AND MAKEUP ARTISTS
 This is a very important creative role. Remember, only part
of a model's style is the clothing. Makeup and hairstyle play
a huge role in creating a complete "look".
 This role is very creative. Need to work closely with them to
make sure their styles go with the theme of the show.
 In an effort to save funds, ask or hire local trade schools to
provide student stylists for the show. This will help them
practice for big events as well as help to save on costs.
 In any event, a main stylist who will check over and fine
tune all of the hair and makeup styles.

11. Find stage and lighting personnel
 These people will help set up the runway and run the
lighting. These people can also help set up the themed
decorations the day of the show.
 Make sure this team can lift heavy objects and change
sets quickly.
 If you choose not to have a band or DJ, this team may
need to run the music and sound system for the show.

12. RUNWAY, STAGE AND VENUE SET UP
 This should be done prior to the show to allow for
rehearsals. Build a raised runway from stage blocks.
 Alternatively, have a runway delineated on the floor.
 Make sure the changing and backstage areas aren't
visible from the audience.
 Arrange the seating in the audience so that the runway
is visible from all chairs.
 Plan to sit any VIPs or important guests up front.

13. DETAILED PROGRAM
 Decide what order the models will go in. This will
depend on what order you want each complete look to
go down the runway.
 Coordinate music and lighting to each model and
look.
 Have this lineup timed, ensuring each model and look
has enough time on the runway.
 Plan to have each model walk once down the runway
individually, then as a group at the end of the show.

14. RUN SEVERAL REHEARSALS
 This will help the backstage manager/producer, the
models, stylists, and technical team to coordinate.
Remember, people are only human and make
mistakes. A model might walk in the wrong order, for
example.
 This is why rehearsals are key. These give your team a
chance to work out any problems in advance before the
show.
 Try to run at least one dress rehearsal will full hair and
makeup. This will allow you to see if all of the looks are
polished and oriented to the theme.

15. CHECK THE VENUE ON THE DAY OF THE
SHOW
 Make sure all of the music, lights, electrical
equipment, and styling equipment are working
properly. Make sure all outfits, styling equipments,
chairs and supplies are where they need to be.
 Make sure a place to collect tickets, purchases, and
donations.

16. RUN THE FASHION SHOW
 Be sure to start on time. One of the things that
attendees will remember is if the event started on
time.
 Make sure each model's look is complete before they
go out onto the runway.
 Make sure photographers are ready and set up during
the show to take photos.
 Remember to have fun! Fashion shows are supposed to
showcase fun and creativity.

17. THANK YOU