Rainbow Market Days: Atlanta Apparel Show Behind the Scenes
I’ve done a few post on the Apparel Mart and my styling work there. But I’ve had these behind the scenes of the actual Atlanta Apparel show saved for awhile. I knew I wanted to show you in a post. But then summer and life got in the way. So things were a little delayed.
Prepping for the Atlanta Apparel Show
After days of pulling items I like throughout all the floors, I then put together the specific looks and ‘line’ the show. This is where we put everything for the look together; including accessories. Then we decide the order they will be walked down the runway on the day of the Atlanta Apparel show. After everything is in place on the rack, we go through and call out every single item. As well as saying where it’s from in the building so that the team can record it all for the program. This is done so anyone attending the show, specifically buyers, can locate it if they love it. And potentially make an order for their own store/entity.
Behind the Scenes of the Atlanta Apparel Show
Once it’s showtime, the magic happens. As well as the frenzy. So much of the styling happens backstage literally seconds before the girls go walk that runway. I’ll back up a bit… On the day of the show, items cannot be picked up until about 5:00 for a 6pm. This is because the exhibitors are usually wrapping up appointments or trying to sell these items. Everything is picked up by interns, assistants, and anyone available in the fashion office, and brought to the staging area. In this post here, I went over the tagging process. But during pick up, we have a system with our information sheets; and tags on the hangers that stay there the week of market. Mainly so we can easily find it.
After everything is picked up, it comes in slowly and placed in it’s designated outfit. Sometimes every single piece of the outfit is from a different place at the Mart. During this time, I’m double checking the racks as the items come in. Checking on the models in hair and makeup, and putting shoes with each outfit. Sometimes we have a show sponsor. But if we need additional options, we have the models bring their own options and I choose from those. Sometimes they have flown in just for that day (from NYC); and their only luggage is a suitcase full of shoes options.
20 Minutes Before Showtime…
About 20 minutes before showtime, the models get dressed with help from hired ‘dressers’. Each model is assigned a dresser and these people help them in between outfit changes; because it needs to be quick. They then visit the accessories table to get the assigned bag and jewelry. Then, about 5 minutes before the show starts, they line up in order. I go down the line to each one, finalizing the styling. This is everything from cuffing sleeves, tucking shirts, and having certain pieces more focal. However my vision was for that outfit, this is the time for me to put my spin on it. Sometimes only I know the styling I want. Like for example, one year I had a girl wearing double bags criss-crossed across her body. But our notes were only having the outfit paired with the two bags. So they would’ve had her just hold them. But when I got to her, I had her wear them how I envisioned that outfit to be. I know I say this all the time, but this is my most favorite job. Mostly because I truly feel alive and my creativity just gets to blossom when I do this.
There are so many places I draw inspiration from everywhere. But the most fun thing about runway, is that I get to be ‘out there’ and crazy with my ideas. If it gets too crazy, Morgan, the Fashion Director, knows to reel me back in. Because we do want to appeal to the southern market and not scare them away… right? I bring a lot of inspo from street style of course. Mainly because it’s very eye catching. After that, my ideas come from actual NY/Paris Fashion Week inspo because anything over the top is beautiful on the runway.
Lights, Camera, Walk!
Once the girls walk the first time, they immediately change into their second outfit. Most of the time we have 3 concepts so each model is wearing 3-4 different outfits. I’m at the very last curtain before they walk back out; styling the next outfit. Each time it gets crazier and crazier as we have less time because the show is still rolling. The energy is insane and I’m on such a high. But when it’s done we all breathe deeply because we’ve been at it non stop the entire 30 minute show. Here are a few looks from this past April Market’s runway show. The theme was inspired by The Greatest Showman and the circus. Each year it’s something different and incredibly elaborate. I think my favorite to this day, is when we transformed the entire basement floor level of the Mart into a forest with pounds and pounds of real leaves. The final was dark and everyone had flashlights. It was magical… the way fashion should be.
Thank you for reading this post, and a peek into my labor of love. My Zara rainbow sequin dress is the dress I had to have and tracked it down from Ireland. It’s not available anymore, but you can always try ebay if you have to have it like I did!
Have you been to an Atlanta Apparel show before? Share in a comment below!
