For the last seven weeks, I had the opportunity to intern as a production assistant for New Orleans Fashion Week under its founder and executive director, Tracee Dundas. I’ve always known that my future is in fashion, so when I heard about this opportunity to get involved with behind-the-scenes work, I knew I had to take it. I got hands-on experience in every aspect of the production side of the fashion industry: the weeks of preparation, the excitement, and the artistry, as well as the challenges and how to properly manage them. Throughout these past few weeks, I have learned that New Orleans is an extremely unique and underrated city in the fashion world. Nobody is afraid to be themselves. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to be surrounded by people who value personal style so deeply, and it has inspired me to follow suit.
We kicked off our week of events at Emline, a luxury streetwear brand that is the definition of cool. We were invited into their store for our kickoff event, where models sauntered through the crowd in head-to-toe Emline throughout the night. It was at this event that I really got to connect with the models after only learning their names and seeing their faces in a lookbook. It was amazing to share our industry goals and dreams with each other, and I now consider them friends.
After Emline was our “kids runway day”, we took to Lakeside Mall, where Macy’s, Dillard’s, Janie and Jack, Mimi’s, and Athleta provided preppy and polished outfits for each model. Having to corral the kids together in the midst of all the chaos was an eye-opening experience for me. I feel as though “kids runway day” is what really helped me learn how to work with my team and move together as a unit. We embraced the chaos, and it was undoubtedly a fun experience. Though it was an exhausting day, it was hard to be in a bad mood when the kids were so excited to make their runway debuts.
Image via Emline
Our next event was at the gorgeous Longue Vue House & Gardens. Our special guest of the night was photographer, America’s Next Top Model judge, and fashion industry veteran, Nigel Barker. He shared his career highlights with us and offered insight into finding success in the fashion industry. You could feel throughout the room that inspiration was the word of the night: it was hard to fight the urge to go out and follow your fashion dreams after such a moving presentation.
Our final event before the official runway shows was a “Haute Affair” at House of Broel. The absolutely stunning and historic mansion provided space for guests to mingle and learn some New Orleans history before designer Stephen Goudeau’s fashions were presented. Glittering ballgowns, editorial makeup, and glamour filled the grand rooms as our models made their way around the house. Glitter and feathers were abundant, of course. House of Broel was the perfect setting for Goudeau’s collection, as it provided a feeling of luxury and fantasy that perfectly aligned with the evening wear.
Image via Stephen Goudeau at House of Broel
As Friday and Saturday approached, we prepared ourselves for how much work would go into the setup and successful presentation of the shows. Models were called to arrive seven hours before showtime, and at first, I thought this was excessive. But after gaining first-hand experience of what it takes to make a show run, I can safely say that it was not. The smallest details really do matter, and ample time is most definitely needed; whether it’s a model or designer that is running late, a garment that needs to be sewn to someone’s exact measurements, or the music for a collection that hadn’t been submitted to the DJ. I learned that something will ALWAYS come up, and the last thing you want is to be short on time when it does.
Image from left to right via Italy Direct, Danny Nguyen Couture, Victoria Trading Company
But the best part of my experience was making connections with the entire New Orleans Fashion Week team. Being surrounded by dedicated and like-minded people who love fashion as much as I do was deeply inspirational, and I will always be grateful for the friendships and connections I made. I have learned so much about not only the fashion industry, but about myself, my peers, my goals, and the visions I have for my future. What most people see on the runway is just the final product. But behind every show lies months of planning, endless details, and a dedicated team working tirelessly to bring it all together. Working on the events and shows of NOFW gave me the opportunity to get a head start in my future fashion career, and I can’t wait to see what future seasons bring.
About Olivia Marujo
Olivia Marujo is a sophomore from Boston majoring in Marketing. She enjoys all aspects of fashion, and in her free time she loves to thrift and hunt for the best Depop finds!
