(Feb 15, 2019 at Honest in Ivory)
By Cassie David, Owner of Honest in Ivory
The Vision
Just one month before this event, I was sitting in our shops booth at the large bridal festival daydreaming about creating a fashion show in the store, so we could customize hair and makeup, florals, the music, serve sips and snacks... basically make a party of it. I love throwing events in the store because it gives us more opportunities to hang out with our brides beyond just a bridal appointment. The next day, we went light-speed ahead with the idea and we put it all together in just over 20 days. Designers come out with new collections two times a year, Fall and Spring. We had just received over 45 dresses for our new Spring 2019 collection we were dying to show off in a big way. This was our first ticketed event, so we really were totally unsure what to expect. We reached out to some of our very favorite local vendors to see if they wanted to get in on the event too. Then, off we went!
The Preparation
We sold out of our 65 seats five days before the show! We sold $15 general admin tickets and $45 VIP front row + swag tickets. We found all of our models either as brides who had purchased from us already (whom we already knew we adored and looked bomb in our dresses), two of our bridal stylists, and some amazing women who responded to our model call as our followers on Instagram. The week before the show, all the models came in for fittings and each model was to wear five looks. The show was split into six parts: Barn Chic, Boho, Swanks bachelorette and bridal shower looks, Simple & Sleek, Bridesmaids, and Glam. Fast forward a week, the night before the fashion show we began to clear out the store. We packed up the wedding dresses that werent going to be in the show and moved them into our back storage room to make room for the stage and chairs. Let me tell you, moving wedding dresses is a great workout.
Showtime
We took a full day that Friday to set up the store. The stage and chairs arrived at 9:00 am and hair and makeup started for the models at 2:00pm. This is really when the madness began. The other vendors began arriving and setting up their areas, catering arrived, and the wine and champagne finally came (highly important). The florals were probably my favorite part because not only were they aesthetically beautiful, the store smelled amazing! There were over 200 blooms in the store at once. And the florals and decor were by far our most important part for creating the Spring Time vibe that initially seemed impossible given the near-blizzard happening outside. We had time for 30 minutes of rehearsal on the stage with everyone in heels. For some of these women, they had never walked in a show before, which we absolutely loved! Doors opened at 6:00pm and our guests started flooding in right on time. My sweet parents were our bouncers. Standing back from the front door, it was incredible to hear the ooohs and ahhhs from everyone as they came and took in the massive store transformation for the night.
Showtime was 7:00pm. Our guests took their seats with their wine glasses and plates full of mouthwatering snacks from Red Rock Catering. Before we started, the models backstage were really freaking out and excited about the show. As the music started and the first girls came on stage, they settled into the groove of the music as they strutted down the runway. I stood at the back of the stage with a microphone and gave details of each dress. I had an absolutely blast emceeing the show because I feel like I could talk about each dress for hours! I was pretty nervous to be talking in front of so many people too, but it was nothing a glass of champagne couldnt help. The show lasted about 45 minutes with over 50 looks. As the last glam dress came down the runway I was overwhelmed with relief and gratitude. I just was still in shock as I looked at the attendees faces who loved the show. I thanked our vendors and everyone who came, and explained that this exact time last year I was just finishing signing the lease on this building and placing my first opening orders with designers and here we we are a year later with a sold out fashion show!
YES needless to say we will be doing the whole dang thing again in the fall! We hope to make these in-store fashion shows a bi-yearly event. Stay tuned for #2!
Photography: Amy Stone Photography
