Everything You Should Put on Your Fashion Show Checklist

Planning a fashion show and need a fashion show checklist to pull it off? Then you’ve come to the right place since that’s what we at Peerspace present to you below. All kinds of events are pleasing to the eye in some way, but there’s nothing quite like a fashion show! It’s a different animal than a conference or social event, whether you’re generally interested in fashion or not. A fashion show requires a level of sophistication and elegance (not to mention specialized A/V requirements and a potentially intimidating number of actual costume changes) that may mean that the planner has to switch gears and move out of their comfort zone.

When all’s said and done, the main requirement of a fashion show is to present a gorgeous, unrivaled product. How you get there is the actual test of your creativity and event planning expertise. Don’t fret as you embark on this journey! Check out our fashion show checklist that can keep even the least fashion-forward planner on track and focused. Start by booking an amazing venue on Peerspace, the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals. Our platform can help you rent a space that immediately impresses your guests while also providing everything you need for a success event. Then, follow these tips to create an enchanting event that will knock the attendees’ socks off!

1. Identify your purpose

Besides the fact that it’s exciting and glamorous (and that you may be itching for a new wardrobe), why are you having a fashion show? Is it to raise money or increase awareness for a cause, launch a product or new business, or simply show a particular designer’s latest fashions? It may be some combination of any of these.

It’s so easy to get distracted by minutiae that could pull you off track of what inspired you to throw this event in the first place. Decide which component is the overarching goal and which are supplementary; keep them in mind as you move through your fashion show checklist.

2. Select a theme and general aesthetic

Achieving that “sophistication and elegance” we mentioned above requires attention to detail from start to finish. It’s not a child’s birthday party — we’re not suggesting matchy-matchy napkins and invitations. Instead, design a general tone and impression to carry throughout the event. Choose a color, a decade, a breed of animal, a season, or a vacation spot. Keep it broad and mysterious at the start, then find connecting threads that will lead your guests to the actual event.

For example, start with enticing invitations and social media blasts. Then, weave the theme into the menu and decor. And finally, use the show itself as the not-to-be-missed grande finale. 

Check out these helpful websites for event planners to make all your tasks that much easier!

3. Create a budget

Every event needs a budget! It’s one of the first things to figure out as you work on your fashion show checklist. Give yourself a realistic range of costs for every component of your fashion show planning process. This serves multiple purposes: one, to know where your specific line items can expand and contract as needed. Secondly, it provides a cohesive, clear outline of what you need when you’re looking for sponsors or in-kind donations.

People are generally happy to give but will always want to know exactly how and where their money is being spent. Transparency is critical in all things, especially if you’re raising funds in a nonprofit scenario!

4. Find the perfect location on Peerspace

Your venue will help to set the mood and tone of your fashion show. Once you’ve created a strategy for the overall feel of the event, make sure a visit to Peerspace is at the top of your fashion show checklist! There, you can choose a spot that will complement your theme in a way that makes sense, whether it’s a precise fit or an eye-pleasing contrast.

Want to set your vintage-inspired glam fashions against a backdrop of a rugged desert? Dreaming of boho-hippie vibes in an urban, industrial space? Browse Peerspace for venue inspiration and to book either of these moods … and more!

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• This Rainbow House psychedelic art retreat in Joshua Tree with indoor and outdoor space and tons of color
• This loft studio and rooftop with Manhattan views in Greenpoint, Brooklyn
• This large refurbished warehouse in Chicago with amazing lighting and lots of space
• This uptown art gallery in Denver with an open floor plan and a rustic ambiance
• This Art Deco, mod, old Hollywood event venue in San Francisco that has to be seen to be believed

5. Find your fashions

Decide if it’s a trunk show for a specific designer, a launch of the new gowns for prom and bridal season, or an image-building seminar for professionals. Consider partnering with a like-minded pro who specializes in that area to manage the actual selections of the model’s attire and the unveiling order. Don’t underestimate the artistry required to coordinate this most crucial piece of your fashion show. You wouldn’t hire a chef to run a soundboard, no matter how much he digs music. 

6. Hire your models 

Who is your target market? Unless you’re planning a show for a big fashion house (that is, with specific standards for their models), get creative with whom you highlight on the catwalk! Feature a diverse, relatable gaggle of models, ideally reflecting either the audience you’re hoping to attract or, in the case of a fundraiser or awareness event, the group you’d like the event to benefit. There’s no better way to sell a product or cause than to humanize it. This will help you to remain focused on your theme, too. 

7. Assemble a team

Layout, lighting, and music done correctly can tie together your theme; they’ll also make the space inviting and irresistible. Less sexy but equally important are behind-the-scenes positions: those who manage the registration of guests and pre-event receiving of products are crucial operational team members. While you’re managing final details, someone needs to make sure the fashions are on-site and in good condition before adorning your models!

Don’t forget catering — and not just for the actual event. You have to make sure your models are fed and hydrated, or you’ll lose them under the lights!

Speaking of, here are our most unique catering ideas to try at your fashion show!

8. Dress for the part

No matter what gender you identify as, wear either basic black or allow the designer to dress you to complement the event. At no other type of event is it more critical for you to blend in, even if that means you’re standing out. Your support staff should be in understated black. This allows guests to focus on the fashions on display. And the people running the event should not be trying to outdo those fashions!

9. Execute an outstanding event

Have a final stand-up meeting the morning of the event, then send your team on their way and empower them to knock it out of the park. You’ll be busy chatting up donors and VIPs, making mental notes for post-event follow-up, and maintaining relationships to ensure a fantastic reputation and more event planning opportunities for your team in the future.

10. Take a post-event pulse check

Congratulations, you just hosted a fashion show! But your work isn’t over yet. In fact, one of the most important parts about throwing an event comes after the fact, wherein you collect some data and figure out what worked and what didn’t.

Check out our favorite event apps to get a jump on which ones will help you measure the success of your event during and after it. It’s this kind of foresight that can save your fashion show from disappointing any of your attendees, as well as teach you how to plan an even better one next time!

Fashion show checklist: conclusion

With your fashion show checklist now sorted, it’s time to find a stunning venue to host your event! Luckily, we at Peerspace can help you with that, too! We have thousands of rentable venues in cities across North America and the globe that make it possible to pull off a stunning fashion show.

And if the space needs anything, from lighting to catering, talk with your venue’s host. They are dedicated to helping you throw an amazing event. In many cases, they already offer amenities and services like catering, A/V equipment, special lighting, breakout space, and more. If not, they can help you get it going on at their venue. That’s sure to help check a few things off the checklist, right?

Find unique fashion show venues on Peerspace