One thing worth mentioning is how much friction exists between these roles in practice. To me that’s the most interesting (and chaotic) part of the job: the moment the creative director's vision meets the production team's reality, or when PR's guest list collides with venue capacity.
The invisible labor you mention is real, but so is the invisible negotiation that happens around it.
I write about this kind of behind-the-scenes from the producer's side at Producer Notes on Substack, if you want to compare notes or if anyone's curious about what it looks like from inside the machine.
this is so true! Some people think that Fashion Week is only glamour but there's soooo much going on behind. I've been attending Milan Fashion Week since 2022 as a guest and I also worked on a backstage before. I always try to bring my insights from fashion shows and presentations I attended. It's also a good opportunity to do networking.
This is such a strong breakdown! I really appreciate how it brings more authenticity to the awareness of who and what actually constructs these “magical” moments.
The only layer I’d add is interns. So many shows are built on unpaid labor, framed as a rite of passage for those entering the industry. I wrote about this in my piece “Between the Sketch and the Runway” after my own experience interning, the invisible workforce is often the foundation holding everything up. Fashion week isn’t just powered by networks and systems. It’s powered by ambition, exhaustion, and a generation trying to earn a seat at the table!
Fashion Week sells dreams. The industry behind it trades in margins, distribution, and control! Especially in Era of Automation, creativity and Design will take centre stage!
So happy to hear this :) we’ll keep working on content identifying the people & careers behind the industry and are even kickstarting a series interviewing fashion professionals to offer real advice and share their experiences!
I love attending fashion week in NYC. Always have an amazing list of designers and models that participate at these shows. I meet amazing and talented people at all times.
This is such an insightful breakdown for those in and out of the industry! Bravo 👏
Thank you Jenny!! 🙌🏼
Fashion Week feels most compelling when it chooses clarity over noise
This is a great map of the ecosystem, thank you!
One thing worth mentioning is how much friction exists between these roles in practice. To me that’s the most interesting (and chaotic) part of the job: the moment the creative director's vision meets the production team's reality, or when PR's guest list collides with venue capacity.
The invisible labor you mention is real, but so is the invisible negotiation that happens around it.
I write about this kind of behind-the-scenes from the producer's side at Producer Notes on Substack, if you want to compare notes or if anyone's curious about what it looks like from inside the machine.
this is so true! Some people think that Fashion Week is only glamour but there's soooo much going on behind. I've been attending Milan Fashion Week since 2022 as a guest and I also worked on a backstage before. I always try to bring my insights from fashion shows and presentations I attended. It's also a good opportunity to do networking.
I love the way you make the info so rich but at same time so simple!!🧵
Thank you :) so happy you enjoyed!👼🏻
This is such a strong breakdown! I really appreciate how it brings more authenticity to the awareness of who and what actually constructs these “magical” moments.
The only layer I’d add is interns. So many shows are built on unpaid labor, framed as a rite of passage for those entering the industry. I wrote about this in my piece “Between the Sketch and the Runway” after my own experience interning, the invisible workforce is often the foundation holding everything up. Fashion week isn’t just powered by networks and systems. It’s powered by ambition, exhaustion, and a generation trying to earn a seat at the table!
This is such a well detailed breakdown! It helps provide insight and spotlights all the amazing people working behind the scenes
Loved this. Especially the point about how much of fashion is really about constructing visibility, desire, and cultural memory.
This is a fantastic and digestible break down!!!
Thank you so much Allie!
Fashion Week sells dreams. The industry behind it trades in margins, distribution, and control! Especially in Era of Automation, creativity and Design will take centre stage!
I absolutely love this, as someone whose trying to learn more about logistics of the fashion industry and fashion in general, this is really helpful
So happy to hear this :) we’ll keep working on content identifying the people & careers behind the industry and are even kickstarting a series interviewing fashion professionals to offer real advice and share their experiences!
Sounds so awesome!! xx can’t wait 🥹
Thank you for writing this! I’m totally new to fashion week and nothing has been so clear about behind the scenes.
Love to hear this, thank you! 🤍Volunteering at fashion weeks in your local city is a great way for exposure & to make connections!
So excited to read this tonight
I love this article!! Along similar and parallel lines — would love to have your feedback!!
https://mitalibharali.substack.com/p/the-capital-flows-behind-fashion?r=5ltrkd&utm_medium=ios
I love attending fashion week in NYC. Always have an amazing list of designers and models that participate at these shows. I meet amazing and talented people at all times.
Wow, beautiful photos! 🤩