Monthly Archives: March 2013

By Mary Sze

2 p.m. It’s Valentine’s Eve, and after much preparation over the past few days – deciding on outfits and conducting model fittings – the long-awaited Salvation Army Fashion Show is finally here. I eagerly arrive to work at Tootsies, the high-end women’s boutique where I intern, ready for the night ahead.

Tootsies is hosting the kickoff party and fashion show for the Salvation Army’s “Open Your Heart, Open Your Closet“ event, which is funded by the Women’s & Jr. Auxiliary Club. The idea is for attendees to open their hearts and closets and donate to the Salvation Army on this Valentine’s Eve. To ensure a pronounced turnout, Tootsies will be accepting clothing donations until March 31 and offering those who donate a complimentary $25 gift card.

As I head up to the second floor, also known as the “land of dresses,” in search of Tamar Minassian, I notice she has left a to-do list for me with the following: “pull off runway rack, accessories list, and tags/sensors.”

Minassian, whom I work most directly with, is Tootsies’ in-house stylist and dress specialist. She is a 25-year-old pursuing her dream of fashion styling  – so who could be better for me to work closely with than someone who shares a similar passion? Together, we return to the first floor, to the roped-off dressing room we have occupied for the past few days.  This room has held our “looks,” or chosen outfits, along with jotted notes about what we’ve envisioned for the show. We then re-discuss our “vision” we had previously planned for the event tonight.

For our spring trend presentation, we had chosen color-blocking and the colors black and white with a pop of citron as our focus.  We were also featuring CrOp, a designer based out of Houston named David Peck. Each model, eight in total, is assigned two looks, or outfits based on their size and personal style. As considerate stylists, Minassian and I try to take into account how the models feel in the clothing – we want them to be confident and love what they’re wearing as much as we do (so they can be sure to work their outfit down the runway). We often ask our models, “How do you feel in this? Would you wear this?”

For this show, the models weren’t hired from a modeling agency, but are actual members of the Women’s & Jr. Auxiliary Club hosting the event. Each model’s first look features the trend we are presenting: black and white, citron or color-blocking. Their second look features CrOp by David Peck for his Spring 2013 collection. Each look is assigned a number in accordance with the line-up, or the order in which the models will take the runway. In total, there will be 16 looks walking down the runway (eight representing a spring trend and eight debuting CrOp).

As Minassian and I peruse through our already-selected outfits, she leaves me in charge of making any last changes until the models arrive. I quickly check all of the clothing for any exposed tags or forgotten sensors, completing one thing on my to-do list.

Minassian then tells me, “I need you to accessorize each outfit, shoes included, while Dustin and I begin writing our speech on the trends we are presenting.” Dustin Holcomb, whom I frequently work with as well, is Tootsies’ sales manager and often helps us with fashion shows and events. This is my favorite part about working as a stylist’s intern – I get to do the most fun and desirable tasks firsthand (at least I see it that way). So off I go to look for the perfect shoes and accessories for each of our envisioned looks.

3 p.m. With only the most-coveted shoes to choose from, I narrow down my decision to those from designers such as Vera Wang, Giuseppe Zanotti, Michael Kors, Casadei and Pour La Victoire.  To keep organized, I label each pair of shoes with the appropriate model’s name and either “Look 1,” “Look 2,” or in some cases, “both looks,” depending on when the model will wear them. Because simplicity is key, some outfits don’t need any accessories besides skyscraper-high stilettos.

As for jewelry, I have chosen a variety: Marimekko bangles (colorful and perfect for spring), Ranjana Khan earrings and collar necklace (so beautiful and elaborate, can instantly dress up almost anything), Gelines Jewelry tassel necklaces and a Claudia Lobo bangle to polish off most of the looks. I also am able to incorporate a few of Tootsies’ new handbags by designers such as Rebecca Minkoff, Stella McCartney, Elaine Turner and clutches by Kotur. As I pull jewelry and handbags for each desired look, I create an accessories list in accordance with the number of each look, in order to ensure nothing is misplaced since the majority of the items to be used in the show are rather pricey. Accessories list is now complete!

4:30 p.m. The hair stylists and makeup artists are already set up on the second floor, awaiting the models’ arrival. I check in with the models as they arrive and designate how each girl’s hair and makeup should look. Once all models are being made “runway ready,” I begin my final task of pulling for the “runway rack.” The “runway rack” consists of either the same or similar garments to those we use in the show.  That way, after the show, the attendees may conveniently shop the rack for the looks that were presented. Clothing designers we have chosen for the show include Vera Wang, Alice & Olivia, Ralph Lauren, Paula Ke, J Brand, ALEXIS, Helmut Lang, Rachel Zoe, Roberto Cavalli and Trina Turk.

Because the show will take place in “the land of dresses,” I shuttle the runway rack and all  16 looks, including their appropriate shoes and accessories, up to the second floor. I place three models in the first dressing room, three in the second and two in the third – ensuring the models sharing rooms aren’t close to each other in the lineup (it gets a tad crazy back there). Taking my own initiative, I go through each dressing room – unzipping, unbuttoning and unbuckling everything (garments and shoes included) to ensure the fastest dressing process for the models – a trick I have learned from prior experience running fashion shows and being a dresser. If anything, this just makes my job easier since I am the one running around and assisting them during the show.

5:50 p.m. All the models’ hair and makeup are completed. Minassian, Holcomb and I conduct a walk-through for the models so they have an idea of how the evening will go.

6 p.m. Music is pumping as bartenders and wait staff wander around offering white wine, champagne and hors d’oeuvres to guests as they arrive.

6:30 p.m. Models begin to slip into their first looks. Allison – one of the models donning an all-white pantsuit accented with black Pour La Victoire, pointed-toe pumps and a Gelines Jewelry black tassel necklace – asks me, “How am I supposed to hold this [black and white Kotur] clutch as I walk down the runway?” I quickly demonstrate and check the rest of the models to ensure no one is missing any essential accessories.

7 p.m. Minassian and Holcomb give their trend talk and the show begins, revealing each model’s first look. Before each model takes the runway, I wait for Minassian’s signal cueing each of their turns.

A model wearing a Rachel Zoe blouse, Helmut Lang blazer (I want so badly!) and Vera Wang pants.

The models’ first looks

7:15 p.m. Minassian and Holcomb introduce CrOp by David Peck along with a special appearance by the designer himself, and the show continues on to debut each model’s second look.

Peck’s Spring 2013 collection

7:30 p.m. The show comes to what feels like an abrupt end as the models walk down the runway together, providing one last look from David Peck’s Spring 2013 Collection. After days of preparation, the Salvation Army Fashion Show is over within a mere 30 minutes! Now before I can join the rest of the party in lifting a glass of champagne, it is time to clean up the mess the models have left for me in the dressing rooms.

9:30 p.m. All attendees have finally gone home, leaving just my co-workers, Peck and Peck’s Sales and Inventory Coordinator José Díaz.  Peck comments, “After a wonderful show, I would like to invite you all to join us for dinner and drinks at Hibiscus off Knox-Henderson. Please come, we would love to share the rest of evening with you all!” It would be impolite on my behalf to decline such an invitation. Who knows when the next time will be that I am invited by the designer himselfin joining them for dinner and drinks!

Left to right: Elisa Monterroso, Jose Diaz, Tamar Minassian, David Peck, and myself

For more pictures of the Salvation Army Show see James Edward Photography.

For more information about David Peck or to view his most recent collection, visit his website.