Photo credit: Marguerite Augier
Ohio University students Olivia Lutz and Cydnee Livingston (center) interview members of the Columbus Fashion Week hair crew.
Several Ohio University students who are involved with VARIANT magazine, a student-run fashion publication, were invited to volunteer and gain behind-the-scenes access at Columbus Fashion Week 2022.
VARIANT Senior and Editor-in-Chief Marguerite Augier explained that Thomas McClure, founder and CEO of Columbus Fashion Week, approached the student organization and offered the opportunity to collaborate with fashion officials and participate in the events of the week, which took place in October. 9-15.
“I was very grateful to Thomas McClure, Columbus Fashion Week and the council for allowing VARIANT, a small student organization an hour and a half away, to come into their space in Columbus and participate as students,” Augier said. “The learning opportunities were plentiful for all of us and the generosity you showed in letting us into your space, especially when it can be so hectic and busy, and allowing us that opportunity, I truly appreciate.”
Several of the students attended the fashion week lookbook event, where all the designers who participated in the event showcased their best designs. The designers competed to appear on the cover of the official fashion week lookbook, which is a collection of photographs to showcase the designers’ work.
For the students, the lookbook event was an opportunity to see a scene similar to a fashion photography session but on a higher level. Throughout the day, the nine fashion week designers had a photo session with a model showing off her work, including hair and makeup, adjustments and photo taking.
“As soon as the first model arrived, all hands were on deck and things started flying into action. I thought, ‘wow,’” said Cydnee Livingston, VARIANT’s Senior Creative Director. “It’s like a beehive. Everyone is working and doing their part, and it’s really cool to see.”
Students were able to see every step of the process, including viewing the finished photos and videos on the computer in real time. They were also able to establish connections with the crew.
“Thomas McClure was kind enough to let us do our thing; he told us to just go crazy,” said Anna Birk, VARIANT Senior Executive Editor. “So we had a lot of interviews with the designers that were there, we walked through the hair and makeup and saw that process, and we also got to go into the actual photo shoot area.”
During the lookbook event, students also saw firsthand how fashion council and designers critique accessories in real time.
“Seeing Thomas and the other board members really taking charge and fitting in was very interesting to me,” Augier said. “To the basic untrained eye, I never would have picked up on those details and to see someone in their professional element really take charge of that and point out all these things on clothes that they loved or needed tweaking was really interesting to watch.”
One of the students takes a photo of a model during the lookbook event. Photo credit: Marguerite Augier
Livingston agreed that witnessing the board members’ attention to detail was a highlight.
“I was really interested in seeing vernacular fashion used in real time, like criticizing seams or pleats, and all those different technical terms you hear,” Livingston added. “I really saw how important construction is, and I’ve been trying to learn that, so to see how much it actually matters was really exciting.”
In addition to the lookbook event, some VARIANT members also volunteered for the tea party event and the final parade.
At the tea party event, sophomore and VARIANT head of video Olivia Lutz, who also attended the lookbook event, helped set up tables and directed people as they arrived at the hotel. She took the opportunity to create content, recording videos with some of the attendees.
During the final event, Lutz, along with Katie Johnson, a junior and VARIANT’s Head of Styling, set up chairs and directed people to sit down.
The two noted that they were also in “the right place at the right time” and had the opportunity to head to the VIP lounge to help serve food and drinks to the VIP members. The room was set up as a display of all the designers’ work.
“There were a lot of opportunities there and people making connections,” Johnson said. “I really liked seeing people in their element and working hard. It’s super neat and rewarding, especially if you want to break into the industry. It was a good learning experience.”
For Lutz, the access VARIANT provided to the event was just another benefit of being involved in student publishing.
“It was really cool to see a space where everyone is a creative mind,” said Lutz. “I feel like I’m so lucky to be at VARIANT, where everyone in this organization has a creative mind and everyone has amazing ideas that get executed. Seeing those qualities translated at Columbus Fashion Week was really cool and getting to see the designers’ process.”
All of the students expressed their gratitude for having the opportunity to be a part of the fast-paced environment and having the opportunity to network with the staff, designers, models, and guests of the event.
The highlights of the trip are available on the VARIANT Instagram profile for viewing.
Source: news.google.com