Inching closer: FPW 2016
We ask some of the participating designers what their day looks like’during fashion week
We’re in fashion’s best season and as we gear up for Fashion Pakistan Week, April 7th-9th 2016, we ask some of the participating designers what their day looks like’during fashion week, how they keep themselves calm, and what it takes to put a show together
What does your day look like during fashion week?
Fashion week is a sleepless time for me. I wake up at 5:45am and hit the gym. After getting my house in order I end up at the venue at 10:30am and start working on the teething issues.
Explain in detail the last-minute preparations that are done before the show?
On the spot decision-making and damage control are my main tasks. We have to please everyone and make sure everyone’s demands are met, which is hard. However, the hardest is getting the seating sorted; it’s a nightmare because everyone wants front row!
How do you deal with last-minute crises and what do you do to keep yourself calm?
I usually don’t keep calm; I lose it, but in the face of a last minute crisis I have learnt how to block things out. That’s the only thing that keeps me calm.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
I get a massage every day, for a week.
How does your day start on the day of your show?
I wake up early, excited yet stressed while preparing for the show.
Explain in detail the last-minute preps that are done before the show?
Travelling to the host city, finalising all the looks, and sorting invites.
How do you calm yourself before the show?
I try to keep the atmosphere light by cracking jokes.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
Party time! I spend quality time with family and friends.
How does your day start on the day of your show?
I don’t sleep at all and am out of bed and ready to get the day started by 8:00am. By 10:00am I have downed three cups of tea and head to the office to get the last minute alterations sorted out.
Explain in detail the lastminute preparations that are done before the show?
We have lists of things to pack, so along with my production team, I pack sowing materials, reels, accessories and get everything to the venue. Once at the venue the entire collection is ironed and re-ironed and by this point I would have shed a tear or two out of nervousness.
How do you deal with last-minute crises and what do you do to keep yourself calm?
My team tries to calm me down but nothing works. I am freaking out all over the place and just pray, pray, and then pray some more.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
I don’t relax because I am on social media checking for people’s reactions.
How does your day start on the day of your show?
I generally check the whole collection in advance and after the fittings are done things are very relaxed.
Explain in detail the last-minute preps that are done before the show?
My team is very professional at handling shows, so I happily delegate whatever work is necessary to them.
How do you calm yourself before the show?
There’s no stress.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
I just chill before and after!
How does your day start on the day of your show?
I wake up at 7:00am and meditate; I need to be calm on the day of the show. I feel like an octopus and feel like I can do anything, that’s how focused I am.
Explain in detail the last-minute preparations that are done before the show?
We check the product line at 10:00am, wrap the accessories and shoes, and my production team organizes the movement of everything to the venue. Last-minute fittings, rehearsals, and line ups are always crazy. My stylist comes around 3:30pm and does my hair and make-up and by 5:00pm I am at the venue. I check everything and do the red carpet.
How do you deal with last-minute crises and what do you do to keep yourself calm?
I am never calm; you will hear lots of screaming and shouting. We are very organised so don’t have a lot of crises to deal with.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
I hang out with my friends and switch off. My team gives me a report of what is happening on social media and the next morning we sit down to check the reviews.
How does your day start on the day of your show?
I wake up 8:00am and get to work by 10:00am. Till 12:30pm I do a final overview and by 2:00pm the things are transported to the venue.
Explain in detail the lastminute preparations that are done before the show?
The day of the show is more relaxed surprisingly. I only stress about the show itself.
How do you deal with last-minute crises and what do you do to keep yourself calm?
I take deep breaths if things go wrong. There is not much you can do at the last minute. I just stress about the models carrying off the clothes the way I have envisioned them because some have a mind of their own and think they can style it their own way.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
Go out for a nice meal. Switch off completely. I don’t like to get affected by what people have to say, so I stay away from social media.
How does your day start on the day of your show?
I wake up at 7:30am, make a final checklist, and prepare myself calmly. I am big on making notes, so after making detailed notes about everything I have my breakfast. By the time I get in my car around 10:30am panic sets in,despite all my planning!
Explain in detail the last-minute preparations that are done before the show?
We don’t get time to do fittings properly so that is the only last- minute panic we have to deal with.
How do you deal with last-minute crises and what do you do to keep yourself calm?
I’m a very hyper person and very short-tempered, but everyone has told me I am unnaturally calm backstage during last-minute panic.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
I sit down with my friends and devour a lot of comfort food!
How does your day start on the day of your show?
Since it’s my nth time doing a fashion week show, I’m much more relaxed on the day. My collection mostly has accessories and separates put together, so the packing has to be organized. Each piece has a sketch with details of the accessories pasted on the bags.
Explain in detail the last-minute preps that are done before the show?
Just making sure everything is well-finished and well-ironed. Since fittings are done in advance and I know most of the girls by now, it’s easy to do the lineup and packing.
How do you calm yourself before the show?
I have a good team that takes the stress, so I’m relaxed unless there’s a major issue with technicians or a model. I look into the choreography, makeup, and music. Its stressful, but with good teams handling it, I leave the work to the experts.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
I watch the shows that are after mine and relax with my friends over dinner after.
How does your day start on the day of your show?
I take a lot of pressure when I am about to show. As soon as I wake up, I rush to the venue and start with my fittings and rehearsals.
Explain in detail the last-minute preps that are done before the show?
I am extremely specific about the looks that I create. Everything has to be perfect. I don’t allow anyone, not even someone from my team, to help me zip an ensemble.
How do you calm yourself before the show?
If anything does go wrong, then I do completely lose it! This is definitely something that I need to work on. Usually I ask for the first or second slot after the break so I get time to make sure everything goes smoothly. I surround myself with good friends and positive vibes, which always helps in ensuring everything will go smoothly.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
I don’t usually party, I prefer packing up and going home. It’s the best way to relax. Once everything has gone well on the ramp, the satisfaction is the biggest relaxation. If all goes well, I’ll give my team a hug before heading home.
How does your day start on the day of your show?
I don’t sleep because I am so stressed out. I survive on numerous cups of coffee to power me through the day.
Explain in detail the last-minute preparations that are done before the show?
Everything is packed in advance and everyone has their assignments, but what stresses me out the most are the last minute fittings. They can make or break the show.
How do you deal with last-minute crises and what do you do to keep yourself calm?
Quick solutions are essential. Last time one of the outfits wasn’t fitting, so we just pinned it and got the model on the runway. There is no point stressing out. I just go with the flow.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
I hang out with my friends and celebrate. I switch off and don’t open my Instagram till the next morning.
How does your day start on the day of your show?
I always start my day with a scrumptious breakfast and a cup of tea.
Explain in detail the last-minute preps that are done before
the show?
This time we are making customized outfits for people to wear on the red carpet and because of that we still have many fittings left to do! We believe the stitching should be perfect so the amount of workload is just insane.
How do you calm yourself before the show?
I need my headphones and some deep house music.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
I will probably catch up on my sleep!
What does your day look like during fashion week?
Fashion week is a sleepless time for me. I wake up at 5:45am and hit the gym. After getting my house in order I end up at the venue at 10:30am and start working on the teething issues.
Explain in detail the last-minute preparations that are done before the show?
On the spot decision-making and damage control are my main tasks. We have to please everyone and make sure everyone’s demands are met, which is hard. However, the hardest is getting the seating sorted; it’s a nightmare because everyone wants front row!
How do you deal with last-minute crises and what do you do to keep yourself calm?
I usually don’t keep calm; I lose it, but in the face of a last minute crisis I have learnt how to block things out. That’s the only thing that keeps me calm.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
I get a massage every day, for a week.
How does your day start on the day of your show?
I wake up early, excited yet stressed while preparing for the show.
Explain in detail the last-minute preps that are done before the show?
Travelling to the host city, finalising all the looks, and sorting invites.
How do you calm yourself before the show?
I try to keep the atmosphere light by cracking jokes.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
Party time! I spend quality time with family and friends.
How does your day start on the day of your show?
I don’t sleep at all and am out of bed and ready to get the day started by 8:00am. By 10:00am I have downed three cups of tea and head to the office to get the last minute alterations sorted out.
Explain in detail the lastminute preparations that are done before the show?
We have lists of things to pack, so along with my production team, I pack sowing materials, reels, accessories and get everything to the venue. Once at the venue the entire collection is ironed and re-ironed and by this point I would have shed a tear or two out of nervousness.
How do you deal with last-minute crises and what do you do to keep yourself calm?
My team tries to calm me down but nothing works. I am freaking out all over the place and just pray, pray, and then pray some more.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
I don’t relax because I am on social media checking for people’s reactions.
How does your day start on the day of your show?
I generally check the whole collection in advance and after the fittings are done things are very relaxed.
Explain in detail the last-minute preps that are done before the show?
My team is very professional at handling shows, so I happily delegate whatever work is necessary to them.
How do you calm yourself before the show?
There’s no stress.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
I just chill before and after!
How does your day start on the day of your show?
I wake up at 7:00am and meditate; I need to be calm on the day of the show. I feel like an octopus and feel like I can do anything, that’s how focused I am.
Explain in detail the last-minute preparations that are done before the show?
We check the product line at 10:00am, wrap the accessories and shoes, and my production team organizes the movement of everything to the venue. Last-minute fittings, rehearsals, and line ups are always crazy. My stylist comes around 3:30pm and does my hair and make-up and by 5:00pm I am at the venue. I check everything and do the red carpet.
How do you deal with last-minute crises and what do you do to keep yourself calm?
I am never calm; you will hear lots of screaming and shouting. We are very organised so don’t have a lot of crises to deal with.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
I hang out with my friends and switch off. My team gives me a report of what is happening on social media and the next morning we sit down to check the reviews.
How does your day start on the day of your show?
I wake up 8:00am and get to work by 10:00am. Till 12:30pm I do a final overview and by 2:00pm the things are transported to the venue.
Explain in detail the lastminute preparations that are done before the show?
The day of the show is more relaxed surprisingly. I only stress about the show itself.
How do you deal with last-minute crises and what do you do to keep yourself calm?
I take deep breaths if things go wrong. There is not much you can do at the last minute. I just stress about the models carrying off the clothes the way I have envisioned them because some have a mind of their own and think they can style it their own way.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
Go out for a nice meal. Switch off completely. I don’t like to get affected by what people have to say, so I stay away from social media.
How does your day start on the day of your show?
I wake up at 7:30am, make a final checklist, and prepare myself calmly. I am big on making notes, so after making detailed notes about everything I have my breakfast. By the time I get in my car around 10:30am panic sets in,despite all my planning!
Explain in detail the last-minute preparations that are done before the show?
We don’t get time to do fittings properly so that is the only last- minute panic we have to deal with.
How do you deal with last-minute crises and what do you do to keep yourself calm?
I’m a very hyper person and very short-tempered, but everyone has told me I am unnaturally calm backstage during last-minute panic.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
I sit down with my friends and devour a lot of comfort food!
How does your day start on the day of your show?
Since it’s my nth time doing a fashion week show, I’m much more relaxed on the day. My collection mostly has accessories and separates put together, so the packing has to be organized. Each piece has a sketch with details of the accessories pasted on the bags.
Explain in detail the last-minute preps that are done before the show?
Just making sure everything is well-finished and well-ironed. Since fittings are done in advance and I know most of the girls by now, it’s easy to do the lineup and packing.
How do you calm yourself before the show?
I have a good team that takes the stress, so I’m relaxed unless there’s a major issue with technicians or a model. I look into the choreography, makeup, and music. Its stressful, but with good teams handling it, I leave the work to the experts.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
I watch the shows that are after mine and relax with my friends over dinner after.
How does your day start on the day of your show?
I take a lot of pressure when I am about to show. As soon as I wake up, I rush to the venue and start with my fittings and rehearsals.
Explain in detail the last-minute preps that are done before the show?
I am extremely specific about the looks that I create. Everything has to be perfect. I don’t allow anyone, not even someone from my team, to help me zip an ensemble.
How do you calm yourself before the show?
If anything does go wrong, then I do completely lose it! This is definitely something that I need to work on. Usually I ask for the first or second slot after the break so I get time to make sure everything goes smoothly. I surround myself with good friends and positive vibes, which always helps in ensuring everything will go smoothly.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
I don’t usually party, I prefer packing up and going home. It’s the best way to relax. Once everything has gone well on the ramp, the satisfaction is the biggest relaxation. If all goes well, I’ll give my team a hug before heading home.
How does your day start on the day of your show?
I don’t sleep because I am so stressed out. I survive on numerous cups of coffee to power me through the day.
Explain in detail the last-minute preparations that are done before the show?
Everything is packed in advance and everyone has their assignments, but what stresses me out the most are the last minute fittings. They can make or break the show.
How do you deal with last-minute crises and what do you do to keep yourself calm?
Quick solutions are essential. Last time one of the outfits wasn’t fitting, so we just pinned it and got the model on the runway. There is no point stressing out. I just go with the flow.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
I hang out with my friends and celebrate. I switch off and don’t open my Instagram till the next morning.
How does your day start on the day of your show?
I always start my day with a scrumptious breakfast and a cup of tea.
Explain in detail the last-minute preps that are done before
the show?
This time we are making customized outfits for people to wear on the red carpet and because of that we still have many fittings left to do! We believe the stitching should be perfect so the amount of workload is just insane.
How do you calm yourself before the show?
I need my headphones and some deep house music.
What do you do to relax once the show is over?
I will probably catch up on my sleep!