Working or Volunteering for Fashion Week Shows

[BetteT]

No ... I beleive that there is a practical reason to require a minimum height and it doesn't have much to do with "image".


I'm a stylist and I work with models for photoshoots so I undertand the practicality of being tall. The models are TALL!! A when they have their heels on, they are way over 6 ft. tall ... often about 6'2" to 6' 4". I have to help them get clothes on over thier heads and zip or button them up, maybe fasten a necklace on them ... while protecting their hair from getting mussed up. So, if you are short, your reach just won't be high enough.

I'm almost 5'7" which is taller than average ... and I still wear shoes that give me a height boost for that reason, when I'm working on set.

 

[BetteT]

so, you get paid to dress models at Paris Fasion Week?

Apparently so. Someone said that earlier in the thread as well, so we've hear that twice now. Paid in Paris ... not paid in NY.

 

[Street_a_Licious]

well, there's that extra bit of incentive!

and i'm tall enough to dress them too!

 

[*Bianca*]

Uh, well I'm 5'0'' and I've had no problem dressing models 5'10''+, and assisting stylists.

If height were a REAL advantage, it would be a widespread prerequisite in hiring dressers and styling assistants, even hairdressers and MUA for touchups in lineup
...and not just for this one company.

 

[BetteT]

Well ... you could be right, too ... we won't know unless someone asks them why.

I did take a few minutes on Charlestown's site and it looks like they are mainly a company that provides hostesses/models for promotional events. So, I"m thinking that the height requirement is because their people are considered "models" and that being a "dresser" is just one of the many tasks their models do.

 

[TrendyMeggy]

I'm Charlestown, BetteT you are right, the whole process of casting etc is similar to model castings.. they took a shot of me after my interview for example.
The height requirement is real, maybe not for all the jobs they offer but for fashion related jobs it can be if the client asks for specific requirements.

 

[seamnoir]

I know that I'll probably get some semblance of a gig for the upcoming Fall '12 shows (through my school or whatever), but I was wondering if MBFW is strict about their application timelines. I want to email my resume since they haven't voided the "Volunteer" page.

Q: Anyone have any experience with sending resumes post-deadline? And also, what do they look for in resumes? Backstage always seems under prepared regardless.

 

[NICOnick]

I just recently moved to New York for school, so I had the opportunity to volunteer at a few shows this past NYFW. I got most of my shows from signing up through my school (FIT). They had around 40 lists of shows that needed volunteers - from ushers to dressers to photographers to working backstage - you name it. Each show needed several (around 5-7) people to work. We all got the chance to sign up for shows that we were available for. Because I wasn't able to sign up in time, I only got to do a few small shows at Lincoln Center consisting of new designers (which was surprisingly pleasant). My friend got to do Rag and Bone and Perry Ellis. He snagged up Perry Ellis by being at Rag and Bone - they needed a few more volunteers, so they just asked the volunteers and R&B to help out. They also take down your names at shows to contact you in the future to help out. When leaving shows, always thank the person in charge of volunteering and try to leave a good impression on them - THIS IS HOW YOU GET CONTACTED TO DO FUTURE/OTHER SHOWS.



I hope my comment helped answer some questions. I'm still new to all of this, as well.

 

[Glamr and Glitz]

I was selected for a screening interview to volunteer at Mercedes-Benz NYFW by IMG. Does anyone know how should I be preparing for this interview? What should I wear, what materials should I bring, and what kind of questions will they be asking me?

 

[edwardpakpahan]

Help to understand Front of House and Back of House Usher (Fashion Volunteers)

Hello there, I am Edward.

I would like to ask what do Front of House and Back of House usher actually mean? And what are the volunteers gonna do if they get that job for fashion week?

This is my very first experience on fashion week volunteer, so I am completely lost.

So if anybody would love to share anything about those ushering thing, I would be very very grateful.

Thanks heaps in advance.

 

[BetteT]

Hi Edward,

Welcome to the Fashion Spot.

Front of the House means ... out front ... outside the staging area, doing crowd control, taking tickets, and directing people to lines and their seats, most likely. Back of the house refers to backstage .... perhaps as errand runners, directing models, artists and other people where to go to get ready for the show, etc. Back of house could also include being a dresser.


Merging this with the existing thread about volunteering at fashion shows.

 

[Marine*]

I would like to volunteer for the next Milan Fashion Week, if anyone can give me advices and contacts? And when do I have to send the application?

Thanks!

 

[BetteT]

I would suggest that you start here ... at their official site: http://www.cameramoda.it/en/ See if there is any information about volunteering, interning or working directly for them the organizers of this show.

But also, as I have said before in this thread, individual designers use volunteers and recruit people for this ... so you would have to do some research to find out who was presenting in the next MilanFW and contact each designer or his publicists and ask.

 

[eastwest]

Ground Crew

Does anyone know if the Ground Crew is still active? I've been looking for the contact info and I keep getting 'domain for sale'....