When I was attending the Fashion Institute of Technology ten or so years ago, I didn’t really think much of it. I knew I was learning good, practical knowledge, but the school had a stigma to it that wasn’t quite flattering. It’s only been in the years since receiving my diploma that I’ve been able to appreciate the real quality of that education. Mostly this occurs when I interview potential candidates for employment at my current company. I’ve attained some familiarity with the curricula at the some of the PacNW fashion schools and programs and have discovered they are severely lacking in comparison to that of FIT.
A part of the FIT Menswear curriculum was runway shows. Both years of the program, there were two student-produced shows. Although we were able to hire a choreographer, we had to be involved in all other aspects. For the mid-year show, we were required to make arrangements with designer showrooms to borrow ensembles. For all shows, we ran the model calls and worked backstage as dressers. And we were expected to do it all with professionalism so as not to seem like a “student” show. Outside of school, my classmates and myself did work as dressers for a show put on by one of our colleagues who had gone rogue. My point being, I do have some knowledge of what it takes to pull something like this off.
This is important to know, because it is with this yardstick that I measured the 29 September show mentioned in a previous post. And it is with this same yardstick I measure today. Moving on . . .
Saturday night I was invited to attend Seattle’s first Green Fashion Week finale runway show. Not being aware that this fashion week was going on, I missed all the other scheduled events. The green choices panel discussion could have been interesting to me, so I’m disappointed I didn’t get to that. However, just walking into the hall, I knew right away I would have a different experience from last week. For one thing, Real Networks was involved in the production which I’m sure helped to provide the modern, high-tech overtone to the proceedings.
The show itself started fairly promptly with a quick greeting from Michelle Taylor, founder of the Zella Company who put on the Fashion Week. Mistress of Ceremonies Summer Rayne Oakes made a quick introduction followed by a short video presentation about the purpose of the green fashion week (I think. Sorry, but I sort of zoned out during that portion.). Then the real business began with a dance mix of Jimi Hendrix’s “Foxy Lady.” There were 10 designers/design houses featured. The choreography was essentially flawless and the timing near perfect. There was clever use of lighting and mannequin poses at the start and finish of some of the “scenes”. There was no intermission. There was no musical act. It was just a clean succession of ensembles up and down the runway.
A reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres followed. I milled around a few minutes before heading out to catch up with some friends for karaoke. (TMI?)
There were only a couple things I thought were lacking Saturday night. One, I had never been to what I think was Elliott Hall at Bell Harbor Convention Center. (I didn’t even know Bell Harbor existed.) I’m sure I wasn’t the only first-timer, and that place is a wee bit confusing. It would have been nice to have some signs posted at the elevators, and other key places, to let us know where to go. Two, there is no specific explanation as to why those particular designers were chosen to be exhibited. A small blurb about each, either in the program or on the website, would be helpful, especially to people like me who are skeptical when anyone claims to be eco-friendly. Perhaps this information was given earlier in the week, but I don’t think it can be assumed that everyone who goes to the finale will have gone to the previous events.
Overall, it was quite well done, and restored my faith that Seattle could put on a “big city” production.