Become a Fashion Event Planner

Ever been to a fashion show?  A trunk show?  A bridal show extravaganza?  Then you've seen the handiwork of the fashion event planner.

A fashion event coordinator is someone who increases a store or brand identity by coordinating fashion events that draw people to the retailer.  This could be through designer trunk shows in the “designer salon” of a department store, for example, or it could be through tearoom modeling for a women's club or church group at a country club or hotel.

While this role can be fun and may involve some traveling, it also requires endless attention to detail to ensure a trouble-free event.  If you have a strong sense of fashion, are very organized, can work well under pressure, and can talk to a lot of different types of people, becoming a fashion event coordinator could be the right career for you.

Some of the fashion events I've been to or have participated in include:

Bridal Shows, where all the local bridal salons get together to present a fashion show of the season's offerings.  These are usually staged in January and July for the spring and fall wedding seasons.

Mannequin Modeling, where live models are hired to stand motionless in the place of regular mannequins.  People often stop to stare, waiting for the models to blink, move, flinch, or whatever.

Tea Room Modeling, where a local boutique sponsored a women's group luncheon at a hotel and had models circulate among the tables as dessert was being served.

Trunk Shows, where a famous designer is brought in show his latest collection in an upscale department store that sells his clothes.

Clothing Classes, where a department store hosts a speaker to come in and demonstrate different ways to wear scarves, separates, evening wear, etc.

Book Signings, where either a local or a well-known beauty or fashion writer agrees to sign copies of her latest book in a boutique, specialty, or department store.

Charity Group Fashion Shows, where a boutique or department store puts on a fashion show for a women's charity group and the group leaders model the clothes for the other members.

Free Jewelry Cleaning, where a jewelry store offered free jewelry cleaning to moms on Mother's Day.   

As you can see, there are lots of ways to generate interest through fashion events.  Unfortunately, because there's a lot of work involved, most stores never do them.  That's where you come in.

So what kinds of things do fashion event planners do?  Here's a sampling: