This is a re-post. I repost this every September now in honor of Fashion Week in New York City. It remains my most popular post to date. Here’s my story on how I got into Fashion Week and continue to work backstage as a dresser as much as I can.  This year sadly, I will be dressing only one show Naeem Khan. Ridiculously excited! ~Cori/LadyBowTie

How To Get Into Fashion Week (last posted Sept 2011)              

This article is especially dedicated to all the fashion students and the young fans of fashion that can’t wait to get out there one day. Loving you!~LadyBowTie

For the last 5 years, I have been blessed to have the opportunity to experience NYC Fashion Week up close (and quite personal) and witness the magic that these famed fashion designers create.  Again, this September I will be working backstage as a dresser for Rag & Bone and Zac Posen, and hopeful to book a few more shows by week’s end.

Telling the tale of backstage adventures at Fashion Week to my friends and family always made me remember sitting in my bedroom and devouring my W and Vogue magazines and pining for the day when I could get into those tents at Fashion Week.  This dream of mine is not unique; I’ve heard the exact same dream a million times from so many fashion fanatic boys and girls.  This is why I am proud to answer your most asked questions about the tents and to share with you how I got into Fashion Week.  Enjoy!

How did you get into Fashion Week? Seeing my first runway show.

Even before my foot stepped out the van, or the first box was unpacked on my very first day living in NYC, I had one goal in mind…get into Fashion Week.  The next thought was, how the hell am I going to fit all of my crap into this 300 sq. ft. apartment?!

I asked everyone that I came across who had any kind of connection to the fashion industry, how could I get into Fashion Week?   Although I learned a ton about working in the industry, I learned very little on how to get into the tents at Bryant Park.  It seemed like this was just an insider highly guarded secret that I didn’t know the handshake to and no one would throw me a bone.  This was how my first year living in NYC went, frustrating and fruitless.

My luck suddenly changed when the show Project Runway aired in 2004. The designers were fresh and talented and the skill they put forth was intense.  Like most fashion freaks I was hooked by this show and couldn’t wait to watch it every week and in the off time I would check it out online.  Project Runway had launched a contest online to see the finale of season one taped at Fashion Week.  There was no skill involved, no essay to be written on “Why I’m The Biggest Fan of Project Runway” or any of that, just enter your name and email address for a chance to go see the show.  By random drawing, I won.

I got two tickets to the show, and if you can believe it I couldn’t get anyone to go with me but, as I walked up the front steps to the main tent at Bryant Park I knew this was exactly where I was meant to be.  I got in line behind a velvet rope and waited to be let into the runway.  I was standing next to a group of ladies just taking it all in, when all the sudden Tim Gunn (the host of Project Runway) and a camera crew came buzzing out.  Tim came right over to the group next to me, who clearly he invited, and in a flurry of hand shaking and air kisses I got to meet Tim Gunn.  Shortly thereafter, we were ushered in to the runway tent and seated.  Somehow the ushers, and who was I to correct them, thought I was with the group and sat me in a reserved section close to the runway and complete with swag bag. Could this get any better?! The lights went down, Heidi Klum came out and the show began.  Unfreakinbelievable!  Having to go to work afterwards, begrudgingly I left the tents and called my Mom to tell her about it and cried tears of joy.  It was so exciting and dramatic and such a crowning moment that I couldn’t wait to see more.

What was the first runway show you worked for?

 An attorney I worked for in 2006 was a volunteer for an organization called Hadassah International.  She was in charge of organizing a charity event which would host a silent auction and fashion show featuring designer Luca Luca at Milk Studios.   I volunteered to help with the fashion show as a backstage attendant and model dresser.  It was too much fun for words!

Photo: Cori/LadyBowTie

How did you get to work backstage at Fashion Week?

 At this point, I was a few semesters into my college degree program at the Fashion Institute of Technology.  I was reviewing the summer class catalogue and trying to decide if I wanted to take a course.  As I was browsing, I came across the non-credit certificate programs; within that curriculum Fashion Events Planning caught my eye.  In my opinion, a Fashion Events Planning certification was a program designed to beef-up your resume if you wanted to pursue a career in fashion events, fashion styling, etc.  Intrigued, I enrolled in Everything You Need to Know About Fashion Shows; From Start-up to Runway and paid the tuition (today this module cost $165).

That Monday night, I met the gate keeper of Fashion Week and the instructor of my class, Barbara B.  Barbara was a music teacher in (Forgive me Barbara, if I get some of your history wrong, it’s been a while since I heard your story.) in New Jersey.  A number of years ago, she got an opportunity to be a dresser/gofer backstage at Fashion Week and continued to do as many shows as she could.  She was around and seen so much that designers and staff thought she was the one in charge of the backstage production.  That was when Barbara’s backstage business was born.

Barbara now recruits eager fashion students from her classes to volunteer to work as dressers/stylists on her team for Fashion Week.  Once you are on Barbara’s team she will send out a list of upcoming shows, times, etc. if you are available, you commit to that show.  While working for her she demands strict professionalism and confidentiality.  You show up on time, dressed appropriately and prepared to work.  Short of major illness or death, no- shows and call-offs are unacceptable and could prevent you from working shows in the future.  Working with Barbara over time, could lead to coveted and repeat assignments with certain high-end designers and possible team manager roles at Fashion Week.  Barbara runs a tight ship at Fashion Week but, with that many people, that large of a production and that much money invested, you absolutely have to maintain order to ensure runway show perfection.  Observing closely the mastery of all the moving parts to these massive productions leaves me in awe every season.  Kudos Barbara, and to all the people involved it making it happen every year!

All these years later, I am still working with Barbara and doing shows at Fashion Week and a few other times a year.  That my friends, is how I learned the secret handshake and how I got into Fashion Week.

What does a dresser do?

 Pretty much what it is sounds like, I dress the models.  After they are done with hair and make-up, I help them get dressed and ready to walk the runway.  If they have more than one outfit to walk in I get that ready, help her/him undress and quickly get them into their next outfit.  I then primp and spruce, before they head down the catwalk making sure all their buttons are buttoned, no loose threads, etc. and that they look picture perfect, literally.

What do you wear to work backstage and what do you bring?

 I wear all black, and what I call “comfortably stylish.”  It is important to remember when going to Fashion Week that you are working the runway show, you are NOT in the runway show.  So you don’t wear your most expensive or elaborate black garments because you will be kneeling, sitting and maybe even crawling on the ground at some point during the show.  So that amazing black mini is definitely out.  Also steer clear of heavy jewelry because you don’t want to ruin a $4000 gown by snagging it on your gigantic statement necklace.  No stilettos for me, comfortable shoes are a must because you will be standing, and standing a lot.

I also bring the “Barbara Special” styling apron.  This is your tool belt for Fashion Week.  You will be carrying anything and everything you can think of in order to prevent a wardrobe malfunctions during the show.  Inside my apron I carry scissors, double-sided tape (Oh the stories I could tell you about double-sided tape…), threaded needles, safety pins, etc.

Who are all the designers you dressed for?

John Bartlett, Pamela Roland, Tuleh, Sari Gueron, Sabyasachi, Ashleigh Verrier, Oscar de la Renta, Badgley Mischka, Kim Walker, Mik Cire, Elise Overland, Rag & Bone, Zac Posen and a few more smaller designers…

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