Practical: Mini Fashion Show – SS2 Fashion and Garment Making Lesson Note (Third Term)

A mini fashion show is a small class show in which students display garments they have made, usually modelling them in the garment lab or school courtyard. It needs planning before the show, model training, backstage management, music, lighting and commentary, and a review of the garments afterwards. Good preparation matters more than the walk itself.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• plan a mini fashion show by choosing a theme, a run order and a stage space;
• demonstrate the posture, eye focus, pace and pivot of a good walk;
• organise a backstage area with a dressing station, a quick-fix kit and dressers;
• choose suitable music and lighting and describe a garment as an MC would;
• care for the garments, hold a class critique and photograph the outfits after the show.

How do you plan a mini fashion show?

Before anyone walks on a stage, you need a plan. A fashion show is 90% preparation and only 10% walking.

1. Theme selection: What is the “vibe” of your show? Is it “Traditional Meets Modern”? Or “Corporate Ankara”? Having a theme helps you choose the right music and decorations.
2. The line-up (the “run order”): You need a list of every student and the outfit they are showing.
   • The opener: Pick an outfit with a “Wow” factor.
   • The flow: Group similar colours or styles together.
   • The finale: The most detailed or grand garment goes last.
3. Setting the stage: You do not need a professional hall. A clear space in the middle of the garment lab or a school courtyard works well. Mark the “runway” with tape on the floor so the models know exactly where to walk.

How do models train for the walk?

In a mini-show, the students are often the models. You must practise how to move so the clothes look their best.

The three pillars of the walk

1. The posture: Keep your back straight and shoulders down. Imagine a string pulling the top of your head toward the ceiling.
2. The eyes: Look straight ahead at a fixed point. Do not look at your feet. If you look down, the audience sees the top of your head instead of the neckline of your dress.
3. The pace: Walk to the beat of the music. Do not walk too fast, because people want to see the stitches. Do not walk too slow, or the audience will get bored.

The pivot (the turn)

When you reach the end of the runway (the “T”), stop for 3 seconds. Turn your body to the left, then the right, so the audience can see the side seams and the back details of the garment.

How is the backstage managed?

Backstage is usually chaotic, but a professional tailor stays calm.

1. The dressing station: Each model should have a designated chair or spot. Their shoes, accessories and headgear (gele or hat) must be laid out in order.
2. The “quick-fix” kit: Always have a small basket ready with:
   • safety pins (for sudden zipper breaks);
   • needle and thread (for popped buttons);
   • lint roller (to remove threads from the fabric);
   • small scissors.
3. The dressers: Assign two students to be “dressers”. Their only job is to help the models get in and out of the clothes without smudging makeup on the fabric or tearing the seams.

What music, lighting and commentary does a show need?

A fashion show without music is just a group of people walking in a silent room. Music, lighting and commentary set the mood.

1. Choosing the soundtrack:
   • For traditional wear, use upbeat cultural music or drums.
   • For contemporary wear, use Afrobeats or smooth instrumentals.
   • Important: Make sure the music is loud enough to be heard but not so loud that people cannot whisper to each other about how much they love the clothes.
2. Lighting: If you are indoors, use the brightest lights available. If you are outdoors, the “golden hour” (late afternoon sun) makes fabric colours look rich.
3. The commentary: Appoint a “Master of Ceremonies” (MC). As each model walks, the MC should describe the garment: “Here is a 2-piece Ankara set with a peplum top and pencil skirt, featuring hand-sewn lace trimmings at the hem.”

What happens after the show?

The show is not over when the music stops. How you handle the clothes after the show is part of your grade.

1. Garment care: Immediately after the show, inspect every outfit. Are there sweat stains? Is a hem loose?
   • Hang the clothes properly on hangers.
   • Do not throw them in a pile on the floor.
2. The critique: Sit together as a class and discuss:
   • Which outfit looked the best under the lights?
   • Did the “fastenings” hold up during the movement?
   • Did the “trimmings” (lace or braids) look neat from a distance?
3. Photography: Take “product shots” of the clothes on the models. These photos will go into your practical logbook as evidence of your work.

Evaluation

1. What are the opener, the flow and the finale in a run order?
2. State the three pillars of the walk.
3. Why should a model stop for 3 seconds at the end of the runway and turn left, then right?
4. List four items in the quick-fix kit and say what each is used for.
5. What questions should the class discuss during the critique?

Assignment

Practise your catwalk from one end of the lab to the other. Focus on your pivot at the end and make sure you can stay balanced for 3 seconds.