How I Cured My Fashion Show Fatigue

In the past three years I have attended so many fashion shows blogging with my FlyGirl Chronicles series that I had to sit down and take a break for a minute! It is so easy to get burnt out when you do something repeatedly with no breaks (even if you love it) and before that happened I decided to get choosy about what shows I attend and cover because I'm not gonna lie- it can get boring and exhausting as hell- the waiting, the erratic temperatures, the repetition of models and designers- it can be a lot! It's the exact opposite of actually being behind the scenes where it's constant motion and action. However I do love it and now I try to attend fashion shows that seem to offer something different- like the last two shows that I saw.

Sweet Boutique Fashion Show

​There are many different types of fashion shows and the reason for them vary but fashion shows are marketing tools which often showcase one designer/fashion brand, their seasonal collection and it presents their aesthetic to an audience of editors, buyers, and the press. I don't really attend too many of these types of shows, mainly because I don't hear about them as often.

Then you have what I call the Ebony Fashion Fair type shows which I live for because although the focus is on fashion, you are also there for the entertainment- the dramatics of the clothes and styling, the crowd favorite models, the outrageous hair and makeup- the story that is created that takes place right before your eyes! All the aunties are present in their Sunday's best- there might be food, intermission, gospel singers and entertainers and the show will last (*insert hand claps*) AS LONG AS IT NEEDS TO! Put the greens in the slow cooker cause baby, you will be gone for a minute!

Designer's Palace by Ms. DeeDee

A lot of the shows I frequent are promotional shows put on by independent fashion brands, designers, boutiques or other organizations that pull together a roster of talent or present individually to show off their clothes to the public. I like these shows too because if it is done right it is a nice mix of fashions and style showcasing their merchandise and style point of view and is also highly entertaining. The audience usually consists of friends and families of the models, loyal customers and potential clients of the brands and an assortment of people who just enjoy fashion. 

The Anarchy Fashion Show
The Anarchy/AXA fashion show that I attended was a cool mix of designers and boutiques showcasing street style- clothes that fit the Tumblr/Instagram crowd- designed for those with the confidence to wear the bright colors, fitted to the body and over sized silhouettes, DIY couture and high fashion all mashed into 6 fast paced scenes. 

​The crowd was considerably younger and all the way turnt thanks to the DJ who played a video playlist of all the current hottest songs and host CJ the Finest who kept the crowd hype. It was very exciting with high energy performances from local talented rappers, singers and poets, and I enjoyed the way that the models walked the runway presenting artwork on a canvas in a unique way. It kind of went over the allotted time I had and unfortunately I left before the end of the show, but I did manage to take a few photos...

 He Loves Curves Fashion Show @ The Real Black Friday Expo
I saw the images of models walking the runway downtown in downtown Cleveland before I even knew what was going on. I found out that the He Loves Curves Boutique would be involved in the Real Black Friday Expo on August 12th, I was so excited to see what they would bring and I was not disappointed! 

​Public Square was jam packed with a variety of vendors, performers and entrepreneurs showcasing their products and services to hundreds of shoppers and onlookers. It was hot as hell, but the the fashion show presented by the He Loves Curves was even hotter! Models of all shapes and sizes stomped, danced and strutted through the fountain of Public Square showing off sexy, trendy high fashion looks from the boutique and other participants like Lola's Bridal Boutique, I am Living Rich, Splash Formula 49 and Traci Lynn jewelry.

I loved how the models were choreographed, using the fountain as their runway, walking through water and on both sides to show off the clothes. It was the perfect highlight to a grand event put on by LaRese Purnell that celebrated Black entrepreneurs and businesses in North East Ohio and allowed the people to come in contact with vendors that are online but don't have brick and mortar stores. I can't wait to attend again next year!

So yes, I briefly suffered from fashion show fatigue, but I quickly got over it by understanding the differences between the shows, knowing what to expect and deciding which ones are worth my time and energy. I'm good now, so if you are having a show or know about any upcoming shows- let me know about them! 

Would you like for me to blog, help plan or style your next show? I'd be glad to help out, shoot me an email ladysilk@thehouseoffly.com