MY March Madness: Costume Fashion Shows!!!

Satin Stitches | Mar 18, 2010 | 0

Hot Styles - Fab Show Choreographed by The Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders

I just pulled 35 costumes for another Satin Stitches fashion show this weekend. Last Friday I pulled 30 costumes that I sent to All-Pro3s REAL DEAL workshop in Houston for this Sunday. We are presenting some of the same styles that Satin Stitches presented at the NFL Cheerleaders Directors Conference, just a couple of weeks ago.  I have not been involved with so many fashion shows in such a short time for years! Maybe it is MARCH MADNESS?

Fashion shows can be really interesting, or they can turn out very badly. Over the course of 3 decades, I have been involved in various ways, with many, many fashion shows. I always hope for the best! But they do not always turn out well.

On one hand, I have worked with very talented, professional fashion show choreographers and on the other hand, I have worked with individuals who drew the short straw, and forced into service to voluntarily put together a show.

I was thrilled at the results of our most recent show-the style show put on by Heather, who is the Director of the Arizona Cardinals. It was REALLY well done. My tip of the hat to Heather! You put on an INCREDIBLY good show! If there was any doubt that cheerleaders do not have dance skills, well-they do! They were incredible! VERY well done!

Such energy and finesse! Every participant rocked the runway!

Thankfully, this top-notch show helps to gloss over a couple of shows that were NOT done very well. These two shows in question, were put on by organizations that did not spend ANY time planning them. And it showed, BIG time.

What is the biggest reason bad, embarrassing fashion shows happen?

No real planning and no real rehearsing.
Many fashion shows use volunteers, with no discrimination as to who is being used. If an entire dance team has been coerced to model, you are going to get some girls who feel very self-conscious and without rehearsals, they may be very timid, and not be able to show off the fashions well.

So when you volunteer to put on a fashion show, please put in the work to make it turn out well.

What purpose do fashion shows serve?
Visual presentation for entertainment.
Visual presentation to show off fashions by a sponsoring company.
Visual presentation so the audience can learn trends.

If you are producing a fashion show as a way to add value for a sponsorship for an event, please make it worthwhile for the sponsors! If a show is part of what a sponsor is paying for, it needs to turn out well.

What can go wrong?
Oh, so many things!
Too much time between models. This is called dead space.
Ill fitting clothes. Bad choices of who is wearing what.
Bad music or sound system. This is very distracting.
Models that walk too fast and everyone is not able to see the fashions.
Models are so shy or self-conscious, that they do not do justice to the styles.
If the audience has no idea what company or designer belongs to what fashions.
The fashions are not put together or worn properly. This does not do justice to the designer.
A lack of or poor use of accessories. This can distract from the fashions.

How do you ensure a successful fashion show?
Plan.
Rehearse.
Use models that are up to the job.
Use appropriate music and a reliable sound system.
Have enough back stage help to dress the models and send them out in a timely fashion.
Provide hair and makeup help, if you can get it. Otherwise, your models need to be ready for the show, themselves.

There are two ways to do a fashion show.
One method is to provide detailed commentary over background music.
The other method relies on high-energy music with great movement with little or no commentary. For this method to be successful for the designer, you need to have detailed listings of the styles for the audience, so they can reference what they are seeing. This style is generally my preference. But you cannot pull off a show like this, unless you have spirited models that can move with great attitude. Either type of show can work well, if well done.

I am hopeful that All-Pro3 puts on a good show for me. I will not be there, so I am hoping to hear good things.

I have written my commentary for my Show Choir Fashion Show this weekend. I hope that I have included some helpful trend details and information, some humor and some excitement to go with our styles! Wish me luck!

Print Email Link

• Share
  • add to facebook
  • add to del.icio.us
  • add to digg
  • add to yahoo
  • related at technorati

Tap, Broadway, Ballroom, Teacher, Enthusiast, Parent, Studio, Cheerleader Fashions, Costume Designs, Costumes, Fashion Shows, Show Choir Fashions (all tags)