| Alternative Fashion Week - Day 4 April 24th 2008 |
|
|
FashionCapital designers Allude Designs took part in the recent Alternative Fashion Week at Spitalfields Market. Read on for their full report.........
We arrived at
Spitalfields Traders Market at 10.30am half hour later than stated by the
organisers Alternative Arts - a combination of traffic and the driver!As designers we had to report to Carolyn Clewer who waited for us to choose two models from the ‘pool' of girls who turned up every day for a selection process and she also informed us of the running order - we were number 2. There were two marquee tents which housed hair & make-up artistes, and where designers had to jostle for space. Once you had ‘marked' your area, as a design duo we were pretty organised as we had prepped the six models (we supplied) which meant the two girls remaining had to be briefed about the collection. All the designers were given a list of hair & make-up artistes prior to the event to make their own arrangements however on the day it was race against time to locate make-up/hair stylist to achieve the look you required - always be prepared and take everything you need and discuss fully with your make-up artist what you need especially if you require something a bit more complicated, luckily the make-up we required was striking but not too time consuming - others had more elaborate designs. Run-throughs were before 12 midday and this was done where possible for example on the stage, around the market area just to get a routine going. There were four of us in the team; two members went to sort out the music with the live band that was performing on the day, who arrived around 12 o'clock. We had downloaded our music selection on an MP3 player and played our song selection for the band to reinterpret. 
The show was due
to start at 1.15pm prompt and we had instructed our models to be fully dressed
by 12.45 pm, I remember someone coming into the tent to inform us what was
going to happen and what we should do after our slot. The time went so quickly
and the next thing the weather had changed and we had to escort the models
under umbrellas as they had to run to the stage area to wait their turn. First
on stage was Chelsea & Kensington who went past their allotted 3 minute
slot which everyone apparently had to adhere to and then it was our turn! The
music had an oriental flavour a slightly different interpretation but worked
well with the theme which was ‘Oriental Fusion'.The collection was a selection of mainly dresses and some separates such as a jacket, waistcoat and skirts in brocades, silk, chiffon and colours inspired by Chinese/Japanese ornaments and architecture. Once we had appeared on the stage all designers were asked to go onto the stage with their models and line up in order of appearance for the finale - the audience gave a rapturous applause and it was an instant buzz after a hectic few hours. The event was an excellent opportunity for ‘everyone' to express themselves whether it was fetish wear , contemporary or classic and everyone who participated including the models, hair & make-up had national and global press coverage, it was also well attended by the public who enjoyed not only the show but the fact it was so accessible. The event was sponsored by Alternative Arts, Fuk.co.uk and Spitalfields Estate. Amanda Matthews (Allude Designs) - Designer // Sally Harper (Sharper Millinery) - Milliner Share this Article:                        Advertisement |
