Newcastle Fashion Week 2013...

Last years Newcastle Fashion Week left me wanting more; so much more that I decided to apply to be a team member for Newcastle Fashion Week 2013!

After a successful interview I was welcomed onto the main team and as soon as the programmes and call sheets were sent out I began to get very excited for the actual week.

Newcastle Fashion Week 2013 took place between May 10th - May 18th.

Day 1

The first event of the week was a VIP invite only event - Mercedes Benz Car Bootique.

The event was held at the Mercedes Benz of Newcastle Showroom, where car boots were opened and filled with products from a range of luxury brands. The highlight of the night was a Cruise Fashion Show which showcased key looks and trends to celebrate the arrival of the Spring Summer 2013 season.

Guests were treated to drinks and canapes by luxury bar Livello and music by Metro Radio.

I was lucky enough to start my week with Newcastle Fashion Week 2013 at this event; I was given various tasks throughout the day, such as organizing and arranging the layout and arrangement of the different stalls or 'Bootiques', I was also responsible for greeting stall holders and showing them there 'Bootique' space and issuing them their stall holder passes. I also helped with the unloading of products and clothing for some of the brands. 
After all the stall holders were happy and no longer needed any assistance; I moved onto packing goody bags. Before I could start though I had to go around all of the brands and gather anything extra they had brought with them which they wanted to be put in the bags, I also collected any raffle prices at the same time.  I started packing the bags with another team member, we quickly worked out a system that made the process simple and quicker. 
 With the goody bags nearly all filled; I was quickly pulled away and asked if I would be a dresser for the Cruise catwalk show. I was then introduced to the model I would be dressing for the event and given a brief run through of the garments and running order.

Doors opened 7pm... Officially marking the start of Newcastle Fashion Week 2013!
The atmosphere seemed great and the fashion show went really well; it wasn't until the very end of the night when we were tidying up and packing things away that I realised how expensive the clothes I had been handling were! 

The guests were then chauffeur driven to Livello where the after party was being held. Although I was invited; I decided it would be best to go straight home and get as much sleep as possible for the very busy week ahead.

Day 2 & 3
Newcastle Fashion Weekend...
The 2 day event was held at Northumbria Student Union and was a fusion of catwalk shows, clothes, stalls, talks, demonstrations, celebrities, and so much more!

It was an early 7am start for team in the morning; we all met in the main event space before being delegated  
jobs for the day. I was taken outside with a small group and given the task of greeting and guiding brands, stores, stalls holders, etc. to the loading bay and explaining the process they would have to follow to unload efficiently. With different methods of how to go about doing so being told to us being thrown about, we had to make a decision and do it the way we thought was most efficient. I must say as a small team we did quite well at this task, out in the cold, wet weather for many hours! 
After everyone had arrived and all the loading was done, I made my way up to the 'backstage' area where all the clothing for the catwalk shows were kept, it was also where the models got their hair and make up done; and just a general space for organizing the day. I walked in to find that MY Little Black Dress that I made at college was being tried on! I then asked if it would be possible to dress the model who would be wearing my outfit and was pleased to be given the task of dressing the lovely model for the rest of the day. 

The first catwalk show was the Newcastle College Fashion show and it of course featured the work of fashion students from the college - my classmates!  =) It was exciting to think that all our work would be the first show of the weekend but when we went downstairs, backstage ready to start the catwalk show; it got a bit hectic, the lights went off and we had to dress the models in the dark and do so very quickly! After the catwalk show, I went out front to see what my classmates thought of it and they all said it looked really good, If it looked good on the catwalk thats all that matters!

The rest of the weekend ran smoothly and although backstage was chaotic at times, the event was successful and the crowds loved it!

Poppy Dinsey 

Caryn Franklin

Lauren Pop & Ollie Locke

Nikki Lissoi

Day 4
Martini Manicure Monday...

This event  was hosted at Fat Buddha and featured a catwalk and sample sale from Van Mildert. There was also pampering, manicures and manicures - hence the event name! 
Unfortunately I was unable to attend this event as I was working all day with Love Niche who hosted a Fringe event on the same evening (i'll more than likely blog about this at some point).
 However I have seen photographs from the event and have heard it was a great event.

Day 5
Northumbria University: Fashion...

The annual fashion event showcasing Northumbria University Fashion students work was held at The Baltic Centre For Contemporary Art.
 The event didn't call for any work experience team and was a ticketed event; therefore I didn't attend the event but again seeing the photos and feedback proved the event was a success.

Day 6
Fashion Front Row...

This was the day and event I was most excited for! Hosted at As You Like It in Jesmond; the event showcases a wide selection of design talent from the North East of England. Again I was working all day for Love Niche so I was unable to work with the Newcastle Fashion Week team, however alongside Love Niche's intern, I was sent to represent the brand for the event throughout the day! 
I have to say it was rather strange being with a brand and not the NFW team that day; but it was a great experience and the responsibility was almost overwhelming. After we arrived and set up our area backstage we had a fitting with the available models to check the fit of garments, we only had one problem -  one of the dresses didn't fit a model but we just took it back to the Love Niche Studio and replaced it with a suitable alternative for the catwalk show.

Love Niche space before we had a rail!

 Once again we arrived back at As You Like It and prepared for the showcase to begin; we were all given a running order that featured all of the brands that were showcasing that night, we (Love Niche) were on after the interval and therefore were able to go upstairs and view the first half.
 Backstage again after the interval, and we were ready to begin the stressful role of being a dresser. Once the show was over, we packed up all our things and loaded them into the car; then went back to As You Like It for celebratory drinks to end a successful (but stressful) day!

Love Niche

Day 7
Eldon Square Spring/Summer Catwalk...

Eldon Square hosted various catwalk shows throughout the day featuring looks and outfits from some of the impressive list of over 150 retailers.
This was another day that the NFW work experience team wasn't needed which was good as I had two college modules to hand in this day!

Day 8
The Royal Wedding...

Hosted at the incredible venue Newcastle's Theatre Royal, the event was a showcase of beautiful wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses and suits for groomsmen, all from North East designers and retailers. 

The first task of the day was to set up the areas where the models would get their hair and make up done and then the area where we would be dressing the models. We had to transport tables and chairs up stairs and set them up ready for the hair and make up artists to use. I then had to source jugs of water and glasses for everyone to drink throughout the day - its unreal how much water is needed during an event day! The next task was to sort the dresses that were arriving and place them on rails. I then met the model I would be dressing that day and took her to the lovely Leigh Hetherington who was showcasing three stunning wedding dresses that day; I was shown how to put the dress on the model correctly and what accessories went with the dress.

After all the brands eventually turned up and sorted their garments and outfits; it was time for the catwalk show. The models swept down the staircases and walked the 'catwalk' before rushing backstage to change into the next outfit. 
After the catwalk show most of the NFW team went home but a few of us stayed to help with the photoshoots. The photoshoots were to help promote the Theatre Royal as a wedding venue' various arrangements of outfits were taken at different locations in and around the venue. My favourite moment of the day was being on the stage looking out to the amazing seating area, the models were photographed from this viewpoint and the shots look incredible.

Day 9
Official Closing Party...

The official closing party was held at Tiger Tiger Newcastle this year and featured DJ sets by Lauren Pope - the face of Newcastle Fashion Week 2013 official sponsor Nikki Lissoni, and The X factors' Diana Vickers. 
 Unfortunately I decided to stay at home and rest after a very busy and stressful week.



Newcastle Fashion Week 2013 was simply amazing! Being part of the main NFW team was incredible and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing fashion filled event. The amount of experience gained and the people I met really was phenomenal. I would recommend taken part to anyone who is interested in fashion, events, PR, Whatever really it is such an invaluable experience and I hope I get the same chance to take part next year! 

Already looking forward to Newcastle Fashion Week 2014!



Check out the Facebook page for photos and comments...

https://www.facebook.com/nclfshnwk


And check out Nikki Lissoni official sponsor of Newcastle Fashion Week 2013...


http://www.nikkilissoni.com/

And Finally some of the participants from the week...

http://www.cruisefashion.co.uk/

http://www.leighhetherington.co.uk/

https://marketplace.asos.com/boutique/annie-and-the-mannequins

http://www.barlivello.co.uk/


http://www.newcastlene1ltd.com/

http://www.getintonewcastle.co.uk/