ABW Fashion Blog | 5 Takeaways of Virtual Fashion Shows

BY: AFRAH HUSSAIN

Photography by Maha Studios

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Virtual Fashion Shows

There is no doubt that our reality today is mostly spent indoors, limited time outdoors, and not to mention….no mask breaks. Our new normal has pushed our creative abilities to another level. Within the fashion realm, fashion shows are not canceled or postponed this year. They are very much so happening but virtually. We have heard of virtual conferences but a virtual fashion show? Our curiosity led us to an expedition of learning more about this. Here are our X takeaways in hosting a virtual fashion show.

5 Takeaways:

1.    Invest in a virtual platform

Think of the event as a big, virtual conference call. You’ll need a platform, such as Zoom, to broadcast your event. Our recommendation is to make sure your membership plan with the platform has the desired attendance capacity of your guests. The goal is to utilize a platform where screens can be shared and participants can communicate with one another. Even doing a trial run a couple of days prior to the event with your planning committee will keep the nerves low and ensure a successful event.

2.    Pre-record the runway

Quality guaranteed. Conducting a live virtual fashion show could be tricky because the quality of the outfits, accessories, etc. can look skewed/ blurry on a computer screen. Designers invest a lot of energy, hard work, creativity, and passion into creating their collections and they deserve the spotlight to be seen. Hence, we learned that a viable option is to record the whole fashion show beforehand into a 50 to 90 min video, almost like a movie. Then play that movie on your virtual platform. The quality will be there thus promoting your and the designers’ brand awareness.

Personalized vision. During an in-person fashion show, the general format is done by announcing the designer and then showcasing the collection. The same could be done for the recorded video by editing the designers’ names before their collection. Another idea is to organize the runway by themes like Street Smart, Night in Paris, Everyday Wear, etc. The sky is the limit!

 Convenience. An added bonus is that you don’t need an actual venue for a runway, it could even be filmed anywhere outdoors/ indoors. Bouncing off ideas with your videography team is key here.

3.    Auctions

Live and silent auctions are eye-catchers at any fashion show. It is another opportunity for an artist or business to showcase their talents. A pandemic alternative is to upload a gallery of pictures (with details) of the items onto your event page about a week before the event. By doing so, guests will have a chance to have a look beforehand so that they’re not side tracked on the day of the show.

4.    Project Management tools

Changes are happening constantly around us. Along with the many moving parts in organizing a fashion, it is important to stay on top of things like customer management and vendor communications. There are a plethora of project management tools available, choose one that works best with your team. It could even be an excel sheet with multiple tabs. Always remember, teamwork makes dreams work.

5. Building a green future

Lastly, a virtual fashion show has an environmental impact as well. Apart from slowing the spread of covid-19, it is also helping in creating a sustainable environment. The amount of waste, paper, and plastic used, fuel consumption is being saved. You can still watch a great show from the comfort of your own home.

What else would you add to our list? Let us know in the comments below! We’re curious.

ABW Fashion Blog | Sponsor Feature: Sayran

We are honored to have the best sponsors be apart of A Blessed Wardrobe (ABW) productions.

Why did we choose Sayran to be our sponsor? Here’s what you need to know about Sayran:

Q) What does your company do? How has your journey been thus far?

SAYRAN is a jewelry line designed to create pieces tied to cultural roots, specifically from the SWANA region. I am a Kurdish woman, born and raised in the diaspora, and growing up I didn’t have imagery and tangible pieces to buy in a western market that made me feel seen. So far my journey has been something I am grateful for, I have been able to grow and heal through my work and have met so many inspiring women from the black and brown communities who appreciate my work for the reasons why I had initially started my line to begin with.

Q) What inspired you? What is your “why”?

My Kurdish roots are my number one inspiration. My jewelry is symbolic of those roots on top of drawing inspiration from many cultures and countries in the entire SWANA region. There is so much beauty and history in the region of my roots and I strive to highlight that beauty and bring positive awareness to that part of the world.

Q) What differentiates you from your competitors? What are some challenges that your consumers are facing right now and that you can help with?

To be honest I am trying to eliminate the concept of competing with other brands/companies. I find it to be unhealthy more than anything else. I only compete with myself, in regards to coming up with new concepts and ideas for my brand’s growth. You also eventually come to the realization that although people may be doing the same things, the vision is always unique if it’s true. There’s only one of each brain on the planet and so your ideas and the execution of those ideas is uniquely your own.

Q) How was your experience collaborating with ABW? How else do you practice charity?

I was beyond thrilled to collaborate with ABW and be a little part of the good work they are doing, much love and respect for them, and everything that they do. Practicing charity and giving back to important causes is a part of my brand and I try to do it as often as possible. A few months ago, for example, I was able to raise a good amount of money in a short amount of time to send to the Kurdish Red Crescent on the ground in Rojava (Northern Syria). I created a limited run of earrings and 100% of the sales went directly to the charity. In March I will also be vending at The Arab Conference at Harvard and will be donating 100% of proceeds to Drop Earrings Not Bombs, A Syrian refugee group of women making jewelry as well as to SEEFAR, the Kurdish Migrant Project. It’s both important and necessary to give back to our communities however we can, and will always be an important aspect of what I am doing.

Q) Who is your current favorite accessory?

Hardest question ever (haha). I have loved accessories since I was a little kid. I tell people that if you ever catch me out and about and have no jewelry on then I must be going through something/or having a bad day. Currently, I am back to being obsessed with chain layering around my neck and I love, love a good sunglasses chain.

Sayran, Founder & Designer of SAYRAN

The SAYRAN Collection

ABW Fashion Blog | How to Be: Fashionably Charitable

BY: AFRAH HUSSAIN

Photography by Maha Studios

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Charity - A Purpose

Charity is a means to lend a hand in need, support those around you, and spread humanity in general. Charity is a humble act of kindness. We usually associate a monetary value to the word ‘charity’, on the contrary, it is also the actions taken to help those around you. Paying for coffee for the car behind you at a coffee shop, smiling at someone, donating your time, sharing words of positivity – all of these are act of kindness. This sounds great and in reality looks good but what is the purpose? Why do we do charity?

4 Reasons To Practice Giving 

Any effort we put into our lives is an investment for our future. Meaning, if today we help someone then one day that help will come around to us when we need it. When you choose to give, you may not even realize how much of an impact you’ve had on the person/project. 4 reasons to give:

1. Gratitude – A thankful heart 

Giving gives you an opportunity to be thankful for the things you have now. Life is busy and it is good reminder to always be thankful regardless of the situation. Your act would also inspire others in doing the same and promote happiness.  

2.    Empowerment – Creating a change 

This is a two way benefit for the giver and the receiver. We’ve mentioned that giving can be done with finances, time, and actions. It is also empowering to feel that your contribution (doesn’t matter big or small) is making someone else’s life better. The receiver, on the other hand, rests assured that they are not alone in this big yet small world. We all here for each other, we are humans. 

3.    Paying it forward – A Cycle 

Charity is a concept of ‘paying it forward’, meaning delivering a helpful gesture to  someone and in return they help someone else – the cycle continues. The important idea is to keep the cycle going while modeling the way for our future generation. Be an inspiration. Create a legacy.  

4.    Teamwork - #DreamTeam 

Charity doesn’t have to be a one man show. A collective effort of contributing towards a project or cause yields big results, thus, providing the opportunity to experience and be inspired. Teamwork makes dream work, why not make it creative?

Lights! Camera! Action!

Welcome to the world of fashion. A platform to experiment different styles, be inspired by others styles, all while having fun with it and discovering your unique fashion sense along the way. Fashion is fluid. It’s a representation of your personality and comfort. Fashion shows such as New York Fashion Week are productions that are looked forward to by fashion enthusiasts. Similar to a charity project, fashion shows involve: collaborative teamwork, hard work, extensive communication, passion, and drive to deliver a splendid show.

Fashion x Charity

People get bored easily. To keep the cycle of giving going, creativity is key. One way to give back to our communities is via fashion. A commonality between charity and fashion is the teamwork involved working for a common goal. Fashion shows, like A Blessed Wardrobe, attract many individuals that not only like fashion but their presence is a contribution towards helping those in need. Hosting a production doesn’t have to be on a large scale. The idea is to help. Every contribution, every effort, every participation helps in making the lives of the less fortunate brighter.

Local Involvement = Big Change

A Blessed Wardrobe hosts a smaller fashion production working with local vendors providing an opportunity to for them to expand their businesses and for all of us to practice charity. Under one roof, individuals get to experience:

• The immense growing talent in our communities.

Ethnic and fusion fashion brands for both males and females, delicious indulgences by our food vendors, the latest in jewelry, and modest fashion. We are always on the hunt for discovering more brands.

• A full fashion runway

Voluntary models from our community helping designers showcase their latest collections.

• Silent Auction 

Generous donations from various vendors to help towards our charitable cause. 

• Entertainment 

Putting the spotlight on local artists showcasing their unique talent.

Charity starts from within our inner core, caring about those around us. A spark to make a change along with a little creativity, dynamite team, and a dash of patience are the keys in making a difference.