How should you dress for Fashion Week?
There is no dress code as such. True, it can be written on the invitation (if an after-party is expected after the show). Not registered? That’s great, you are free to choose your bow. However, there is one caveat - Fashion Week, like the opening of a furniture store or the presentation of a perfume (and many other events whose organizers are guilty of the Black Tie dress code in invitations), is not an Oscar or an embassy reception, which means save yours floor-length dress, evening makeup and over-styled hair for a more significant occasion.
It is equally inappropriate to expose yourself too much and wear everything at once. It’s hard to say who looks more ridiculous – a girl in a “naked” dress or a girl in all the most trendy things of the season, which are still completely unrelated to the temperature outside.
And also try to ensure that your “dress conforms to the idea of what a person should look like.” Otherwise, you will be asked to leave without explanation (or without explanation of what a person should look like according to the BFW administration).
Rule No. 2: save the sexy look for the evening
The show is not a lonely hearts club. There is no need to dress up to the nines in hopes of meeting HIM. Leave deep necklines in the style of Emily Ratajkowski, tight dresses and, of course, indecently high heels for another occasion. Moreover, the lingerie style has come out of the shadows today: a bra can be safely worn on a T-shirt, and a corset on a sweatshirt.
What time should you arrive for the showing?
So, you are holding in your hands an invitation to a designer’s show, where it is written in black and white: “Starts at 19:00.” Does this mean that you have to be there at a strictly designated time? Or should you arrive early? Or maybe even be late? In an ideal world, shows start on time; the acceptable limit is 20 minutes of delay. If the show starts at 19:30 instead of the stated 19:00, you can calmly go to the wardrobe for your coat and go to where you and your personal time are valued more. Unfortunately, half-an-hour or more postponements of shows at BFW have become commonplace, and hence the systematic delays of Fashion Week guests. One can only feel sorry for those for whom punctuality is not an empty word; they are the ones who have to boredly scroll through their Instagram feed and sin in tasteless photo zones while waiting for the show. Hang in there, we are with you!
Rule #1: Don't bet on total looks
Dressing from head to toe in clothes from one brand is a good idea, but only at first glance. First of all, it's deadly boring, and besides, it gives the impression that you have no sense of taste or imagination. Don't be afraid to experiment and look for interesting and unexpected combinations.
You entered the showroom, what to do next?
Then you are taken to your seat, from which you better not get up until the end of the show, otherwise, as in the game with chairs, you risk being left without it. And under no circumstances should you occupy someone else’s place; most likely, you will be asked to change seats in disgrace. If you are the lucky owner of a front row invitation, come to the show early - front row guests always enter the hall first, and only then everyone else is invited. Let’s say you didn’t have time to enter the hall when your row was announced, and all the seats were already taken, what should you do? Do not make a scandal under any circumstances and do not demand to double-check the invitations of everyone present; after all, it is your fault that you were not in the right place at the right time. Approach the staff and ask them to escort you to an empty seat.
It’s another matter when you entered the hall on time, and the guest in the last row did not put on glasses and sat in your place in the first row, or the organizers and the designer simply handed out more invitations than the allowed seats. Unfortunately, Belarus Fashion Week is not always able to provide seats for all guests and considers it appropriate to create intimate situations like “full elevator” and “public transport at rush hour,” literally seating guests on top of each other. A beautiful first row serves the designer well; it is needed for photo reports and broadcasts. The first row, reminiscent of an Indian bus, does not evoke anything other than the desire to sit in the gallery, which is what The Village Belarus recommends you do in this situation.
Oh yes. Please never, ever take away gift bags or boxes from the first row if you were sitting in another row. People may notice you and point fingers at you. Once at the Kardash show, one very respected lady allowed herself to take more bags from the show than she was entitled to. Not good.
Nastya Nekrasova
Concept
The collection illustrates a utopian world in which two historical styles coexist - classic and avant-garde. Could this be possible? Sculptural parts of bodies, like fragments of history, follow us throughout the collection, forcing us to think about the themes of the development of art, and paradoxical combinations, such as a giant nose on a bag or a skein of thread on the head, enhance the combination of everything impossible (or is it still possible?) in the world .
Time
We arrived at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week almost immediately from Paris Fashion Week, so preparing for the show took very little time. The collection was ready, but it was necessary to prepare complex decor for the show itself and a video sequence, select and professionally mix the music. Countless communications with organizers and the media took a lot of time, but I can say for sure – these were the most fun days and nights!
Team
The people who gave me the most strength were those who came to Moscow for the show and stayed with me until the bitter end. My team consisted of about 15 people: my friends, photographers, volunteers.
Difficulties
My participation in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week was spontaneous, because a few days before the show I presented my collection at Paris Fashion Week. According to the clear plan of the buyer's session, the collection was to be presented in Paris and then sent to Moscow. But since customs now pay especially close attention to foreign shipments, the collection could be delayed and not arrive in time for the show. We, of course, took a risk.
And then the day of the show: we have everything - models, venue, guests, famous media - but there is no collection.
We, of course, tried not to show it, but we took a terrible risk: eleven o’clock, twelve, and the collection was still at customs. I felt the full degree of responsibility to the organizers, to myself, and, most importantly, to the people who helped me organize the show and came to Moscow for this. The show did take place - we received the collection just before the show, we didn’t even have a fitting.
Impression
It's impossible to put into words. Such moments are worth any risk and sleepless nights. You need to stay strong even when you have no strength at all, and be sure to go to the end.
How to behave at a show?
From the previous paragraph, you could conclude that the shows of especially successful designers are sometimes crowded. Guests in the first row are not recommended to cross their legs and place their bags next to them. Therefore, leave the imposing poses for the subway or the hookah bar and don’t forget to take off your sunglasses. You are not Anna Wintour.
By the way, who else should be left at home are small children. If you have no one to leave your child with, it doesn’t matter, the back rows are at your disposal. Of course, Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez can sit with their children in the front row and feel great about it, but we doubt that those around them will be as pleased to listen to a child’s cry over the music. Just as there are movies for adults and others for children, it’s the same with places to visit. The show is for adults.
The same goes for your cute little Pomeranians and Yorkies. Zhoriki, Bobik and Milords will only be grateful to you if you do not make them shake from horror and loud music and the inhabitants of the secular jungle reaching out to them with their raking paws. Anna Dello Russo spares her dog, and you should not be left behind.
During the show, do not stand up or walk along the podium, in front of the podium, along the podium, in general, do not make sudden movements towards the podium. It is impolite to get up in the middle of a show and leave. The show lasts a maximum of 20 minutes, your business can wait. If you know you will have to leave, sit on the edge near the exit.
It is not prohibited to film the show; it is inappropriate to take a selfie during it. Seriously, can you forget about yourself for at least ten minutes? Or do you think that no one will believe you that you were at Fashion Week?
Anastasia Dokuchaeva
Concept
We never build a clear concept, because it sets a framework that hinders me more than helps me. The last show was dedicated to sports, how I see it and how I could present it without losing the style of the brand.
Time
We are already preparing a show in the shortest possible time, that is, in a month or a month and a half. The first units that were included in the show began to take shape within two months, but preparation is such a thing: some didn’t have time, some were late. Time frames are shortening, and this is influenced by many factors. But this does not mean that everything is done in a hurry - we always approach preparation as responsibly as possible. Of course, I always want to do it even better, to add something, but this does not depend on deadlines - I always want to make changes to my things.
Team
There is never too much of a good team, and from season to season we acquire new assistants. The brand manager, show stylist and partners work with me on the collection; there are many people involved in negotiations and documents, there are those who help get things done - at the moment the main team includes five people, and if you count those who are involved only periodically, it will be about twenty.
Difficulties
Unforeseen situations, including reprinting invitations several times, do happen, but we can handle everything. It is important to always remain focused and not despair: if one team fails us, we urgently look for another. Once, four days before the show, they called me at night from production and said that they did not have time to sew the collection, and I wanted to send them a few more items. I had to urgently look for contacts of seamstresses and ateliers. I was only in Moscow for a month that month and didn’t know anyone here, but I found nothing.
I remember how nervously, with shaking hands, the stylists accepted packages 15 minutes before going on the podium.
Impression
I didn’t see the show itself, but now that there is video and photos, I know that everything went well. We had only 12 models and 48 appearances - everyone changed clothes 4 times - the volunteers couldn’t cope, and I had to do a lot myself. In general, shows are more work for me than creativity: I don’t have time to experience joy and delight - there’s too much to keep under control. And, of course, this is a lot of stress. I remember asking the stylist who was watching the show on the small screen: “So how?” He replied, “I don’t know,” and I thought, “It’s probably so bad that he’s afraid to tell me about it.” But really, he was just very impressed.
Adviсe
Don't even think about paying attention to what others are doing. If you want to maintain authenticity, you must first communicate yourself and your perception of fashion. For me, observation is rather a minus: I’m afraid to see something that will prevent me from making an original product later. I never use other people’s ideas on purpose; if I start looking too much, I’ll start to doubt: is this completely my product or did I see it somewhere, rework it and pass it off as my own?
The show is over, should I give flowers to the designer?
Feel free to applaud. The creator deserved a standing ovation. (Even if you didn’t like the collection.) By the way, clapping your favorite looks during the show is also not forbidden. After the final walk of the models, the designer comes out from behind the scenes to bow. You are delighted with the collection and want to thank him for the invitation by expressing your respect with a bouquet of flowers. Wrong! This is not the case at European Fashion Weeks. Save the flowers for Kirkorov. However, if you still feel like it, send flowers to the designer’s studio, or better yet, give them in person when you come to the showroom to try on the new collection. After all, this is precisely why models are sewn, fashion shows are rehearsed, money is spent on participation and shows are organized.
Text: Ksenia Andreeva
Cover : Brunel Johnson / Unsplash
Rule No. 5: Down with pseudo-vintage
The same goes for vintage items: don’t get caught up in the cyclical nature of trends, so as not to look like a young lady from an old photograph. And remember: sometimes it’s better to buy a ready-made item with an aged effect than to wear a torn sweater or jeans worn out from time to time.
Rule #7: Follow trends
Guests of fashion weeks know exactly what is trending this season and what will be popular next season, and they certainly won’t wear the hits of past years. Carefully study the fashion trends of the season, review archival photographs of style icons and choose the most successful images that are easy to repeat. The main thing is not to polish your image; instead of pedantry, slight negligence is always better.
Active arrows as the main accent in makeup
The fall-winter 2021 season especially pleased us with arrows of all stripes: massive ones in the spirit of the 1990s at Schiaparelli, colored ones at David Koma, graphic ones at Courrèges, Valentino and RVNG. Judging by the shapes (this time the makeup artists paid tribute to the classics), the popular double arrows, like Ariana Grande’s in the Rain On Me video, have finally sunk into oblivion. To replace them, Erdem introduced a new unusual option with a line going down.
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Stay true to yourself
Tiani Kiriloff
Whatever the latest trends, if you don't feel comfortable and confident in your look, then strangers will notice it too. Instead, focus on choosing items that suit your body shape best. If you like a sporty style, then you don’t have to force yourself to run around Milan in heels - an outfit with sneakers or boots can also be spectacular and stylish!
