The DFW Team Shows Us What’s in Their Bag During Fashion Week

by | Aug 16, 2018 | 303 Magazine, Denver Fashion, Denver Fashion Week, Designer, Fashion, Local Designer, Makeup, Models | 0 comments

It’s no secret that behind the scenes of any fashion show is mayhem. Show days can be long and it’s helpful to bring a bag for everything you could possibly need. We interviewed different team members of DFW to show what each person brings with them on show days.

Alicia Funk – Backstage Hairstylist and Production Team

Photo courtesy of Alicia Funk

303 Magazine: What items would you typically bring to DFW?

Alicia Funk: So, it depends on my main role for the night. I’m also a part of the production team. I choreograph each segment, run rehearsals and call the show. But, my typical hair kit includes small, medium and large marcel curling irons, a flat iron, crimper, blow dryer, a few different kinds of brushes, my pin kit and of course Number 4 Haircare styling products all within a black rolling carryon bag. I’ll bring that on days I’m not doing hair just in case we need a backup.

 

303: What are your top three items you can’t leave the house without on the day/days of DFW?

AF: Redbull, my notepad and chapstick!

303:  If you can recall a DFW technical difficulty that you remember what would it be?

AF: On the production side, last season our walkie-talkies stopped working in the middle of the show. In order to know when the videos were done, so I could send out the first model of each segment, Hannah Werling (also a part of production) was at the DJ booth texting me emojis to give me the ok to begin the segment!

303: What are your tips for surviving DFW?

AF: Have fun, be on time and attention to detail makes a huge difference in the hair and makeup.

303: Favorite backstage memory from DFW?

AF: My favorite backstage moment would be from a few seasons ago. It was my very first solo Hairshow segment and I had the pleasure of having Madeline Stuart walking for me. That show I ended up with only my makeup artists and one person on hair helping me do intricately textured hair, as well as hold while I attached my avant-garde hair pieces. It was the most stressful show I’ve ever done, but I was so proud of how amazing my girls looked! That definitely made all the stress and craziness worth it.

 

Caitlin Badinger – Model and Production Assistant 

Photo by Kyla Fear

 

303 Magazine: What items would you typically bring to DFW?

Caitlin Badinger: I bring a surplus of bras (at least three), different types of nude colored underwear (including stockings, boy shorts, thongs, etc), lotion, makeup remover wipes, bobby pins, hairspray, double-sided tape, a razor, a mini nail kit, deodorant, heel guard pads and your most important heels.

303: What are your top three items you can’t leave the house without on the day/days of DFW?

CB: Phone charger, iced coffee and FOOD (healthy snacks that give you energy to last 6-8 hours)

303:  If you can recall a DFW technical difficulty that you remember what would it be?

CB: One technical difficulty I most commonly see is girls stepping/tripping on their long gowns or garments they have to wear. Sometimes their shoes aren’t tall enough or the garment isn’t hemmed to fit them perfectly. But I have also seen models go on to walk without a misstep.

303: What are your tips for surviving DFW?

CB: If this is your first year or even a veteran, fashion shows consist of one major part: sitting around and waiting. This is the downside to the fabulous life us models live off of the runway. Backstage getting ready for the show is what takes the longest (hair, makeup, garments) so be prepared with your phone charger or something to do while you wait. Also, don’t let the “pressure” get to you. It may seem like a lot, doing four nights of shows back to back, but it’s also one of the most fun events I get to partake in. Be kind and respectful to the other models backstage, it might be their first time walking and I can’t think of a better way to start off their DFW career by welcoming them into our group.

303: Favorite backstage memory from DFW?

CB: My favorite memory from backstage has to be cutting up with my girlfriends backstage and getting excited to see everyone’s looks come together at the end of the night! My favorite night is the hair show because you don’t know what is going to come out of these Denver creatives!

Tyne Hall – Designer

Photo by Austin Cope

303 Magazine: What items would you typically bring to DFW?

Tyne Hall: Hooks and eyes, spools of black and white thread, needles, wrist pincushion, snips, fashion tape, tape measure, lint roller, seam ripper and safety pins.

303: What are your top 3 items you can’t leave the house without on the day/days of DFW?

TH: Pincushion, snips and a tube of black lipstick.

303:  If you can recall a DFW technical difficulty that you remember what would it be?

TH: During the summer DFW, I did an initial fitting backstage. I like to make sure my alterations fit. The black lace gown fit like a glove. After several hours backstage in a pretty hot room, it was time to get the models dressed. I put the black gown on my model and it was too big. There was no time to fix it, so she put on two strapless bras and we went down to the runway. That is probably the most insane thing I’ve ever experienced at a show. 

303: What are your tips for surviving DFW?

TH: I’d love to say sleep but I never do that. I think as a designer the best way to get through DFW is to put in a ton of work before the show. Do all of your fittings; don’t cut corners. The more you can get done before the day of the show, the less stressed you are backstage. 

303: Favorite backstage memory from DFW?

TH: Spring 2017 I did a Studio 54 inspired collection. My girls were hanging out looking like intergalactic disco divas and then they all started dancing. I caught a clip of it on my phone. Just shows how fun the vibe is backstage. 

Hannah Werling – Production Team

Photo by David Rossa.

303 Magazine: What items would you typically bring to DFW?

Hannah  Werling: Healthy snacks, a water bottle, my notebook that has all of the information on music, lineups, signage and contact information for designers and models, pens, markers, tape, mints (I have to talk to a lot of people and a lot of people talk to me, so mints are essential), lipstick and a phone charger.

303: What are your top three items you can’t leave the house without on the day/days of DFW?

HW: My notebook, phone and water bottle!

303:  If you can recall a DFW technical difficulty that you remember what would it be?

HW: UGH, one season got crazy and I started the show without the host opening! No one noticed except for those of us on the production side, but oh my gosh I was horrified!

303: What are your tips for surviving DFW?

HW: Keep yourself organized before the week even starts! Be patient and kind at all times. Everyone is feeling the pressure, but I always try to stay positive and uplifting. Kindness is contagious.

303: Favorite backstage memory from DFW?

HW: This is a hard one. Every season is full of them! My favorite part is when we have all of the models lined up and ready to go. The designers work so hard on their collections and to see their faces when everything goes out to the runway is my favorite. We are all just so proud of them!

 

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