The Rush of Couture

the rush of couture

9/7/2019
By Sophia Alohinani

You are nervous. It’s your first time commanding a large group of people for an event, but you’re feeling confident you can pull it off. You down your Red Bull and head towards the front of house to mingle with coworkers and guests. Dreamy house music is spinning, women laugh and smile has they have their hair done, and people giggle with surprise as a gloved had appears out of a veiled window, offering them a drink. You breathe in deeply trying to focus on the moment, because this is the only part of the show you’ll actually view from the perspective of a guest.

It’s 7:30, so you walk over to the production table a grab your headset. The stage manager, Tim, is already speaking to audio and lighting about cues for this evening. As you listen to them, you’re also expected to start getting the models and designers ready for an 8’o clock show time. Some models are already dressed and ready to line up, while others are struggling with larger than life ballgowns.
As 8pm creeps closer, you hear Tim in your headset. “How are things going back there, Sophia?” he asks. “I’ve got two collections lined up and I’m looking for the final one” you respond. Five minutes until countdown. You don’t have much time. Thankfully, Buf and a volunteer come backstage to help wrangle models, and you make your way towards the stage. The Emcee greets you and shakes your hand.“Anything I need to know for tonight’s script?” You give them the notes from rehearsal and they thank you. The countdown timer says three minutes til showtime. With the last remaining moments, you go over the designer lineup. “You ready?” you call to the first model. Thirty seconds. The house lights dim and the music gets louder. You look at the first model and nod. “Go”.