The AKNVAS Experience
In September 2023, I found myself behind the scenes at New York Fashion Week, playing a role in the Spring '24 collection showcase of AKNVAS by the talented Christian Juul Nielsen. Despite my years of freelancing in the fashion scene, particularly assisting with various shows in Utah, this marked my debut assisting with a New York City fashion show.
The day kicked off bright and early, a necessary start to prepare everything for the 1pm fashion show at Spring Studios. Armed with my backstage pass, we headed into the Mezzanine where AKNVAS was set to showcase. A quick tour and a brief delve into the inspiration behind the collection titled "Story Teller" set the stage. Nielsen's creativity drew from iconic books like The Ugly Duckling, The Red Shoes, and The Snow Queen, weaving a narrative of beauty, growth, and enchantment into the collection.
The backstage scenario resembled organized chaos, a hallmark of any fashion show preparation. With a plan in place, everyone, from the hair and makeup team to staff, models, and volunteers, hustled to bring Nielsen's vision to life. Countless hours of planning and creation culminated in a mere 15 minutes on the runway and we were here to ensure those 15 minutes went smoothly.
Backstage, it's a whirlwind of activity. Models undergoing hair and makeup transformations, chairs and cameras being set up, clothes being steamed, last-minute touch-ups – it's a beehive of tasks, each contributing to the overall spectacle. The atmosphere is electric, a testament to the collective effort required to ensure a seamless show.
The moment arrived for volunteers to gather, each assigned to assist in dressing models swiftly between their multiple looks. My chosen task was to dress the first model, donning two stunning looks. A meticulous dress rehearsal revealed a tight window for the quick change between her appearances which initially stirred up nerves for myself and other dressers who had to hep with quick changes, but we felt confident that we could do it. After a full run-through, it was time for the main event.
As the audience took their seats, we stood backstage, models adorned in their first looks. The show commenced, and my model led the runway, unveiling the "Story Teller" collection. Each look brought Nielsen's childhood stories to life through clothing, with every model presenting a unique chapter. Witnessing the seamless fusion of narratives and fashion on the runway was nothing short of incredible.
My inaugural experience backstage at New York Fashion Week was immensely fulfilling. It felt like a culmination of years of hard work, a dream realized. While AKNVAS marked my first New York City fashion show, it most certainly won't be my last. Anticipation builds as I prepare for another trip to New York Fashion Week to witness the Fall/Winter 2024 collections. Expect an update on my latest NYC fashion adventure next month!
