What It’s Really Like Backstage at a Bridal Runway Show: My National Fashion College Experience

WORDS BY NFC STUDENT, LISA STONE

During the One Fine Day wedding expo, I had the opportunity to work behind the scenes assisting during the bridal runway shows. The event went for 2 days and along with other NFC classmates, we were able to help make the shows a success. Each day had 3 runway shows which we had to prepare for; we first helped with setting up the show, including packing VIP bags for guests and unwrapping stage sets. My main role involved helping models with their outfit changes to ease the stress of the quick transitions. We were each assigned a model and prior to the show, we had to help prep each look by steaming the gowns, arranging outfits in the correct order and setting up accessories. It was a pleasure to be amongst beautiful dresses with different unique designs — each gown you could see the quality and precision being put into the shape and details of the dresses.

Once the show began, things moved very quickly. I worked closely with the team to ensure each outfit was prepared for the show. I helped my model get in and out of dresses efficiently, securing zippers and buttons while making sure they felt comfortable and confident before stepping onto the stage. The environment was fast-paced and required focus, attention to detail, clear communication, and a calm attitude under pressure. At times it did could be stressful when parts of the dress such as a zipper malfunctioned, but with the help of the team, I was able to come up with quick solutions to ensure the dress was secured just in time. 

This hands on experience gave me a deeper appreciation for what goes behind the scenes of runway shows. I learned the importance of organisation and ability to adapt to change working in such a fast paced environment where timing is critical. Being part of the backstage team was definitely a rewarding experience; I enjoyed seeing all the looks come together for the final presentation, and the models really appreciated our help. At the end of the event we were gifted VIP bags for helping out, which came with a lot of goodies and treats!