Walk Through
How To Run A Fashion Show For Prom Dresses
A fashion show intended to showcase prom dresses is different from an ordinary high street fashion show. Not only will it take much longer for models to get into their outfits (which rules out quick changes) but the value and delicacy of the items means that a great deal of care needs to be taken.
Timing your show
You need to allow around two minutes per model. This is enough time to walk down the catwalk, pose and walk back down the catwalk.
In terms of back stage timing you need to allow ten minutes for a girl to get a dress on for which she will need at least one helper.
Boys
If you can, its great to have male models accompany your female models down the catwalk. A local hire company may be willing to lend you suits if you give them a call.
Announcer
Ask someone with good presenting skills to compere the show. Their role will be to announce the name of the model and give a commentary about the dress that they are wearing. For example 'This is Amy, she is wearing Bella, one of our pink prom dresses. This dress features stunning genuine crystal beading with a flowing tulle skirt'.
You should provide your compere with a script for evening dresses white each model/dress. This script should be organised in the same running order as the show.
Music
You should choose music which is both popular with the students in the show and appropriate for the occasion. Pay attention to the bpm (beats per minute) of the music. Your models will walk in time to the music and if the beat's too fast they may end up half jogging down the catwalk (ruining your timings!).
Vet all music before hand to ensure that it doesn contain designer clothes for women expletives.
Walk Through
It a good idea to have a walk though of your fashion show. While it is common to do a full dress rehearsal (wearing all the outfits), you should think carefully about doing this. Every time a prom dress is handled it runs the risk of being damaged. It is therefore not advisable to do a full dress rehearsal.
Backstage help
You will need at least one person to help when a girl is trying to get into her dress. If you can stagger the girls putting on their dresses then you won't need as many helpers.
You also need a stage manager and an assistant stage manager. Both of these people should have a clipboard with details of the order in which the girls will go down the catwalk.
The stage manager stands in the wings and is responsible for ensuring that the right people go on stage at the right time.
It is there responsibility to make sure the girl starts putting the dress on in time and to make sure she is down in time. They need to be female so they can go into changing rooms.
Changing rooms
Ideally you need two rooms close to the stage. At least one needs to ensure privacy.
As prom dresses are worth hundreds of pounds each it is important to ensure they will not get damaged in the course of a fashion show.
One way to ensure that this doesn't happen is by ensuring that no food, drink or make up is allowed into the changing rooms. Only the girls themselves and people helping them to get ready should be allowed in the changing room.
Ask girls to take responsibility for dresses
Begin by explaining to the girls involved that they will be personally responsible for taking care of their dresses. Each girl should formally 'sign out' the dress when she takes it off the rack. At the end of the show, someone needs to be appointed to check the dresses back on to the rail. A girl's name should only be checked off the list when they have brought their dress back.
Enjoy it!
Running a fashion show can be great fun so finally, have a great time!
Choosing Your Wedding Dress
Every girl dreams of finding the perfect dress for long sequin dresses their wedding day and many have a vision in their mind of what they picture the dress to be like.
Before going shopping be sure to determine your budget so that you stick with the gowns that you know are in a realistic price range for you and also keep in mind the season and time of year that you are getting married in. You dont want a big heavy gown if youre getting married in the hottest part of the summer.
The most important peice of advice that a bride to be can be given before she sets out to shop for her dress is to be open minded about trying on many different styles of dresses! As it is common that the dresses that many brides to be have pictured in their minds is very different then the actual wedding dress they end up wearing on the day!
When you start looking at wedding gowns, have a chat to the attendants in the bridal dress shops and query them as to which style and colour of wedding dress they would reccommend. These people generally have an idea of what dress styles suit particular body shapes and which shades of white suit particular skin tones.
Many brdes to be go looking for their perfect white wedding dress, when in fact, an ivory or latte dress is more suited to their hair and skin colour. Below is a quick guide to the different shades of white and what skin and hair colours they are best suited to;
Champagne or oyster
This wedding dress white is an off-white with pink undertones and will flatter olive or darker skinned brides with dark hair.
Diamond white or natural white
This is a soft wedding dress white, common in the more expensive fabrics such as silk. This tone of white is well suited to fairer brides.
Latte
This shade of wedding dress white is slightly darker than the champagne and oyster shades. Latte is a popular choice today with brides and the tone is perfect for tanned or darker skinned brides.
Ivory
Wedding dresses in this shade of white have golden or yellow undertones. This shade of white suits fairer brides with honey coloured hair.
Stark white
Not suited to blonde or fair skinned girls. This shade of white is most unflattering if you are fair however looks amazing on dark skinned brides particularly hispanic brides.
Before you go shopping, get ideas from websites, magazines, and any other source that allows you to preview the various types of styles, lengths, and designs out there. Be sure to consider your body type as you make your selection for a wedding gown. You certainly want to go with a style that flatters your body type and doesnt make you feel self conscious.
Below is a guide to which styles of wedding dresses will suit different body shapes;
Hourglass
Choose a wedding dress that accentuates your waist. Gowns with a full skirt and corseted bodices that flatter the bust line are great for this shape.
Pear shaped
A-line princess dresses which balance out the bottom half to the top half and disguise fuller hips and thighs suit the pear shape best.
Petite
Simpler desses without too much fabric will make the more petite bride appear taller. Big Ball gowns, gowns that are broken up, mermaid wedding dress shapes can overwhelm someone with a smaller figure.
Tall
Ball gowns, princess line and A- line wedding dresses suit this bride. Most can carry off straight bridal dresses and sequin short dress mermaid dresses also. Avoid empire line dresses.
Fuller Waisted
Princess-line and drop waist wedding dresses are most flattering.
Broader Shoulder
Broader shouldered brides should avoid halter and off-the-shoulder necklines which bring attention to the shoulders, and instead try strapless and scoop necklines.
Fuller Busted
Bridal corsets will provide shape and support for this body type. Scoop neck dresses and dresses with square necklines enhance bust lines.
Fuller Arms
Off the shoulder straps or sheer fabric is flattering to the arms. Three-quarter or long sleeve are also flattering on this shape and work to elongate the arm.
Shop around and try on a variety of different gowns so you will be satisfied that when you find "the one" you have considered many different alternatives and you can be happy you have not just settled on the first dress you tried on.
Finally, enjoy the process because trying on wedding gowns can be just as much fun as wearing it for your special day. Savor the journey and be sure to remember it by taking pictures of you in the various gowns you try on along the way.
