What It Was Like To Work In New York Fashion Week

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 I have to say, it's been a while since I've published anything on my blog, not that I haven't written anything, funnily enough, I've had multiple fully finished blog posts since December 2015, but just haven't posted them for some reason or another, but one of my New Years resolutions is not so much to write more, but actually publish my work, that's what this blog is for anyway! So many things have happened in 2016 that I thought if I was to begin blogging again, it should start off with be one of, if not the most, exciting thing I got to do in 2016, which was working at New York Fashion Week.

 I was fortunate enough to be in New York for two months, working 5 days a week as a full time waitress and on Mondays I'd be working at a jewelry internship (while in between that once or twice working behind the scenes on tv and film sets), then for the last week in New York, I had the amazing experience of working at New York Fashion Week. Even months later, it has me utterly confused that I can write that sentence and it not be a piece of fiction. I'm still astonished that I was lucky enough to work in a field I find so prestigious, I felt like Alice in Wonderland, the busy mile-a-minute atmosphere backstage couldn't be any farther from the small village I live in back in Ireland.
 My experience began after a lot of emailing, where I found myself standing in front of a concrete and glass building in a small corner of New York on a hot September day. When I say it was a small corner of New York, I wasn't kidding, it looked like an unfinished (which looking back at it, is very possible) building with glass panels, or some luxury car park. The only indicator that it was to host a fashion show being the groups of people who were undoubtedly models scattered in and around the venue, who, when all together, looked like they were in the mists of shooting some editorial.
  I was more than excited, however, the night before starting my internship at NYFW I decided to watch The Devil Wears Prada,  I somehow considered it 'study' and in turn freaked myself out that I would be dealing with a roomful of Miranda Priestleys. It couldn't be farther from the truth. The people I had the opportunity to work with were some of, if not the nicest people I've worked with. The professionalism and passion they had for their work was something I really aspire to have going forward in my career.

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 I was working as a sort of producing intern, working under a few other producers and the director of the show, my jobs included arriving three hours before each show (I worked at 4 shows and may or may not have sneaked into another one posing as a invited guest - then got moved from the very back row to fourth by staff when there was an availability) an be given a sheet of the models names and the order they would be appearing, we'd go through the list and mark how many looks where in between changes any model who had two or more looks, then make sure the models and dressers were aware of the fact, we'd also familiarize ourselves with where the models rails were just in the off chance things were running a bit fast and we'd need to grab them to put in line, then the practice run through would happen, which was were the models would wear the shoes they would on the catwalk, one time when the venue allowed the catwalk to go in a sort of square that intersected each other, members of the team were at a different point to make sure that no model was too fast or too slow, turned the corner at the point they were meant to, the space of time between the models were the same and well, walked well. (I am certainly no model scout but I'm glad they valued my opinion all the same) Then make sure each model was in some stage of hair and makeup, which usually was happening before and after the run through.

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 Then, there was the show itself! First looks were surprisingly calm, the models would be dressed, hair and makeup perfect, all in line, everyone around backstage, nervous but excited. Then, the lights would dim, they music would play, the first model would go out, and the next, and the next, it was like the calm before the (very fashionable and organized) storm, and then the first model would walk off the runway to the backstage and that's when the show would really start. The minute they were out of the audience's view they'd dash to their rail if they had another look, pulling off clothing before they even arrived, dressers carefully putting on the next outfit and hair and makeup making sure everything was perfect, sometimes a second look would be out before first looks were even finished, and this exchange would happen all in under a minute. From then on backstage was like a hive, everyone buzzing around the models, hair, makeup, clothes and occasionally one of my colleagues and I to grab a model and put them in their correct space in their line, which is easier said (or written) then done. Then one my colleagues would start to line up the finale as models came off the runway with their final looks, and on my last day when the lineup was particularly big I had the opportunity to help out. Then, once again the models would go out, applause would abrupt from the crowd, and when they got off the runway in their absence the designer/s of the collection would step out to an even larger applause. Then, within only a few minutes, most of the room would be empty of the crowd it once had, possibly going to another show, like many of the models, rushing out of the venue, with their makeup and hair still done, so they wouldn't be late. The team would discuss the plan for the next show, but of course, it could never be 100% planned, as fashion week is crazy and unpredictable, which only added to the beauty of it. This summer I really got to understand what a 'New York minute' was!
 There was a million other things that happened, variable to the day and if I were to go into detail this post would never end. I was and am so grateful to have gotten this experience and wouldn't change it for the world.

 Until next time,

 Gabrielle x



17 comments

  1. Ugh, you're so lucky to have had an opportunity like that, I'm so jealous! That would've been amazing for me, when I was studying fashion at uni

    Elizabeth
    19 by Chance | 1415

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    1. I still can't believe I got the chance! I know there is a lot of websites that advertise internships for shows, they're a little different to what I did, they seem to be all unpaid backstage dressers but it's a stepping stone :) x

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  2. Very interesting and exciting story! Fortunately :)

    xoxo, Nastya Deutsch

    NEW POST ON MY BLOG:"SUNDAY WITH MY FAMILY"
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  3. Working at NYFW?! AMAZING! What a brilliant experience xx

    Lucy x | lucy-cole.co.uk

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    1. It was! I loved it so much, it was a great experience :)

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  4. Wow, what a great opportunity, I'm so glad that you enjoyed it!
    Have a lovely day :)
    Rosanna x
    Rose's Rooftop

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  5. Thank you Rosanna! I found it so exciting, I was so lucky to have the opportunity! :) x

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  6. That sounds like such an exciting experience - and one you'll never forget! I can really imagine how quickly time must have flown by.

    Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice x

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  7. Your experiences are very inspiring! :) I enjoyed reading your story :)

    fashionabejita.blogspot.com

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  8. What an incredible experience girl! Sounds like you worked your absolute ass off!

    Hannatalks

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  9. sounds like a very good learning experience :) thanks for sharing!

    http://www.pinkoolaid.com/

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  10. Ahhh this was fascinating to read Gabrielle, what a fantastic experience for you! I'm sure you're the envy of many! :-)

    Musings & More

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  11. What?? This is awesome girl! Even though I am not really familiar with high-end fashion as much, I am sure this was one of those "once in a lifetime" experiences. You have a lot going for you, Gabrielle!

    Jordyn Pamela x

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