“Both logistics and styling are one big puzzle, but the end result is always worth it.”
Melbourne Fashion Week (M/FW) is about to take over the town, and we’re solely days away from experiencing the glamour of all of it. But behind the scenes, lots of of native creatives have been working tirelessly for months to convey this huge occasion to life.
Orchestrating every week filled with over 100 occasions and 300 designers is not any straightforward feat. It takes a village, from producers to stylists, make-up artists to fashions. Each position comes with its personal challenges, intensified by the adrenaline of a deadline.
Looking for a brand new 9 to five? Head to our Careers web page for brand new listings each day.
Of course, all of it appears to be like glamorous from the skin, however these concerned have fought and located their method into the business by way of many various paths. After all, making it in the fashion business has by no means been a one-size-fits-all journey. It takes willpower, ardour, creativity, grit, a proactive strategy and a little bit of luck to be in the proper place on the proper time.
I’m at present on the cusp of my very own fashion profession (proper now interning at Fashion Journal), in order we step into one of many greatest occasions of Australia’s fashion calendar, I’ve been curious. How precisely have a few of this season’s prime creatives damaged into the business and labored their method up?
I requested 5 of these concerned in this 12 months’s program to share the beginnings of their careers, together with what it takes to be one of many brains behind this 12 months’s M/FW.
Amelia Hermawan, Producer
Hi Amelia! How did you first become involved in M/FW?
Like many others who work on M/FW, I truly began as a volunteer dresser again in 2012. During a gown rehearsal, there was a zipper malfunction and the designer didn’t need to minimize the look from the present. I supplied to stitch the gown shut onto the mannequin throughout a fast change, and that little second helped me get observed by the manufacturing staff. Since then, I’ve labored in a variety of various roles over time and steadily labored my method up.
Tell us about your position and what a day in your life appears to be like like throughout M/FW.
My days are full of calls, spreadsheets, schedules and plenty of espresso! With such an enormous staff, there’s an enormous quantity of organisation and logistics concerned to maintain the whole lot on monitor. The nature of reside occasions implies that even with meticulous planning, issues can (and do) go unsuitable, so an enormous a part of my day is troubleshooting as we go.
What are the important thing expertise (tender and exhausting) it is advisable to be an excellent producer?
This job might be extremely tense, so crucial expertise are adaptability, fast considering and a very good sense of humour. The days are lengthy and issues hardly ever go completely to plan, so preserving the temper gentle and enjoyable is important, in any other case, what’s the purpose?
Mike Nguyen, Model
Hi Mike! How did you get your start in modelling?
It was actually all by probability. I by no means thought somebody like me might be a mannequin. But again in 2018 once I was visiting New York, I used to be scouted on the road whereas I used to be ready for an Uber. I assumed I used to be being pranked, however it was actual. That explicit company solely represented US fashions however that interplay alone gave me the arrogance to say sure to any alternatives I used to be introduced with in the longer term.
Fast ahead to 2021, I used to be forged for my very first M/FW runway by stylist, Joseph Romano – I feel he’d seen my work on-line. I have to’ve made a very good impression as a result of the next 12 months, I used to be forged for 3 reveals for Melbourne Fashion Festival (MFF). You need to be a signed mannequin to stroll MFF and fortunately, the individual dealing with the casting was an agent at Chadwick Models.
They requested me to come back in for a gathering (which at that time I assumed to myself, ‘There’s no method they’re gonna signal me’) and in some way, I got signed to one of the vital well-known and established businesses in Australia!
What would shock individuals about your position as a mannequin?
I feel that your on a regular basis individual wouldn’t assume that I used to be a mannequin, due to how unconventional my options are. But I like that I’ve the flexibility to modify this character on once I stroll down any runway, I feel that positively surprises individuals.
Even after modelling for a couple of years now, all of it nonetheless feels a bit surreal and I continuously need to pinch myself. But greater than something, I’m actually grateful that I get to characterize my Vietnamese group and anybody who sees themselves in me.
Kylie O’Toole, Hair and Makeup Director
Hi Kylie! How did you get your start in make-up?
I ended up working in the movie business for 17 years after which transitioned into fashion. I’ve been directing all of the reveals for M/FW for 5 years now. It’s all-consuming and I like it.
What does a day in your life appear to be throughout Fashion Week?
A day in my life throughout M/FW is hectic. After getting in early and getting ready the product, my staff arrive for a briefing. They need to take in a whole lot of data in a short while, so I must be out there to reply questions and problem-solve.
I then observe the fashions to the runway location and watch the rehearsals, the place I can see how they look underneath the lights. My staff arrives for touch-ups, and I direct them accordingly. After I watch the present, I head again to do some work on the present for the subsequent day, after which the subsequent morning it begins yet again.
What recommendation would you give to somebody wanting to interrupt into the fashion business?
My recommendation is to work at no cost to get to know individuals. Watch, pay attention and take care of whoever you’re helping; they could have extra on their thoughts than you suppose. The different factor is being a staff participant. Talent and grit will get you up to now, however working properly with others and being type and useful would be the high quality that basically makes you massively employable and in demand.
Tyler Lindsay, Back of House Manager
Hi Tyler! How did you first become involved in M/FW?
I interned as a manufacturing assistant with Moth Design for my first M/FW in 2022, which was a piece expertise unit for my Fashion Business course. I used to be residing in Perth on the time and flew over for 2 weeks to do prep week after which present week. I had completely no concept what I used to be doing or what was occurring, however I cherished it.
Tell us about your position and what a day in your life appears to be like like throughout M/FW?
My position for M/FW is the Back of House (BOH) Manager for all runways, so I handle the fashions, volunteers, hair and make-up groups and photographers which might be backstage throughout the reveals.
My day normally begins once I arrive on the venue to arrange BOH, which might be anyplace from a small resort fitness center to a tent in Queen Victoria Markets. I make certain all groups are organised and that each one components of the present go as deliberate.
What would shock individuals about your position?
People could be shocked to know that in 4 years working at M/FW, I’ve solely ever watched one present. My position is completely behind the scenes, so sadly, I by no means truly get to see what we’ve got produced, however I do suppose it’s extra enjoyable being part of it.
Joseph Romano, Stylist
Hi Joseph! How did you get your start in styling?
I studied Fashion Merchandising at RMIT and in 2010, I volunteered for M/FW, which uncovered me to the world of styling. I ended up doing all the week throughout all of the designer runways and continued to volunteer as an assistant stylist, the place I styled pop-up runways till 2018.
In 2019, I got the possibility to fashion my first designer runway for the ‘High Rise’ collection and I’ve styled designer runways ever since.
What would shock individuals about your position?
The quantity of preparation that goes right into a 40-minute present. Emails upon emails for months, and sneakersso many wanted for a present! Both logistics and styling are one large puzzle, however the finish result’s at all times price it.
What recommendation would you give to somebody wanting to interrupt into the fashion business?
My recommendation is to stay to your weapons, put your hand up for something, even when it’s not one thing you initially suppose you’ll get pleasure from, since you would possibly shock your self. And be good, individuals keep in mind those that are good and simple to work with. Being type prices nothing.
Looking to discover a job in fashion? Head to our Careers part.