By Andrea Nagy
The beginning is always the most difficult, when you start an essay, a blog piece, or even choreographing a fashion show. The same question ties all three; where do I even start? The DCU Style Magus Opus has been the second DCU fashion show I have choreographed, so I thought, why not share some insights for the next person who might want to walk a mile in my shoes?
First thing, when I say choreographer, I’m not talking about building the steps to the next footloose. A fashion show choreographer, also known as a runway director, is entirely something different. Choreographers are responsible for designing, directing, and coordinating the movement of models on the runway based on the theme of the show, the sub-theme of each walk and the songs chosen by the chairs.
So…where does it all start? I’ll break it all down into stages!
Stage 1: Prep
This is where you listen and take notes…and maybe make some suggestions. There’s the initial meeting with the chairs, who are the directors of the show, and there they will tell you the theme of the show itself. Then the chairs will communicate any sub-themes they might want for each walk or any key moments they want incorporated, as the little love letter dropped by our handsome model Jake in our Heartthrob choreo!
This is where they will also share with you the songs for each walk. Feel free to make suggestions if the chairs ask, but trust and respect their vision always. They have the vision, and you need to bring it to life. I like to close my eyes and listen to the playlist on the bus and draw on my iPhone or iPad any movements, poses or turns I envision when I listen.
Stage 2: Get to know the models & uplift
When you meet the models, it’s important that you lay down ground rules, of course. My go-to is: don’t be late, if you are just text and keeping noise to a low when choreographing. Your thoughts are easily scrambled when 15 people are talking at the same time in a room. Make sure that you are kind and patient with the models. For many, this is their first time in a show of any kind, never mind a fashion show.
The first week, organise a walk & posture workshop where you study the models’ walks and postures and give kind and respectful feedback on how they can improve.
Stage 3: Creating
This is the fun and scary part, but if you have prepped yourself well, you should be able to walk in with at least half a sense of knowing what you’re going to do. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box, but be respectful to the garments that the models are going to be wearing the day of the show and the garments themselves. And if creator’s block hits, don’t panic. Don’t be afraid to ask others from the production team for suggestions, and if you’re really stuck, take inspiration from previous years.
Oh, and this is also where you write the model bible, that handy little Google doc that will tell the models all their cues for each part of each song. My biggest recommendation is to write it straight away after you choreograph each walk, so it’s fresh in your mind. Of course, there are also videos taken of each choreography, but trust me, it makes it much easier. Share the Google Doc straight away for each walk so that the models can study it as they go.
Stage 4: The day of the show
I’d like to tell you not to lose your shit, but you probably will anyway on the day off. Year after year, the first rehearsal on the day of the show is usually pretty terrible. Be it the models getting used to the dimensions of the show, or the nerves, or even tech difficulties, something usually leads to a small mental breakdown from the production team. I’ve seen it all, and I can promise you, it’s going to be okay. Just trust yourself, and trust the people that you work with and maybe check the tech one more time to make sure all is good.
During the show, you will be backstage giving the cues for the models to come on and checking that everything is okay on your side. Enjoy it! Savour it! It goes by in the blink of an eye, and who knows if you’ll get it back.
I loved being a choreographer, and it led me to do some exciting things in fashion outside of college! Honestly, there’s so much more that I can say, but I’ll keep it for the handover for the next predecessors!