Music, Lighting, and Set Design in Fashion Presentations
In fashion shows or fashion presentations, designers come forward to showcase their collection. It is the ultimate stage for them to display their creativity. While most of us think that fashion shows are just about clothes, they’re not. It’s the overall presentation that makes the clothes truly stand out. This includes set design, music and lighting. They work in harmony to elevate the storytelling, mood and impact of the collection. All the elements together tell a cohesive story. Let’s have a look at how the sensory and emotional backdrop of a fashion show is dependent on these elements.
Fashion Shows – Planning, Preparation & Presentation
No event is successful without proper planning. A fashion show is no exception. Planning includes setting the goals, deciding the essential requirements and reviewing every step. It’s also about allocating and delegating responsibilities. When the organiser or planner of the fashion show communicates instructions clearly, each person will know what is expected of them. However, there are different teams for every department.
Music – Setting the Mood
Imagine a fashion show without music. The presentation would be dead and boring. Music not just sets the emotional tone but also creates a narrative flow. Designers and sound engineers can sit together to select or compose soundtracks that align with the theme. It can even have certain cultural references. The music for the fashion show cannot be selected randomly. It should evoke certain emotions in the audience. The pace and rhythm should sync with the speed and movement of the models. It should also set the mood and create a sense of urgency. A brand can also use a particular genre to reinforce their signature style.
Get the Set Lighting Right
In creating a successful event design, lighting is one of the most important tools. It shapes the ambience and determines how garments are perceived. It also highlights the craftsmanship of the garment. Depending on the collection, it’s best to select the lighting. If your garments are dreamy and romantic, soft, diffused lighting works whereas directional lighting highlights drama and tension. Lighting can also sculpt the runway space thereby creating depth, illusion, and intimacy. The best lighting can highlight the most intricate details of the fabric such as beadwork, layering, or colour gradients, if any. Lighting enhances the overall visual impact of the show.
Selection of Set Design
If you’ve noticed the stage or set design of a fashion show, there are bespoke props and decorations. The stage is specifically designed for that event and that’s what makes it special. A set is not just a backdrop but a physical environment against which the fashion is presented. It creates an immersive experience and completely immerses the audience in a designer’s vision. Set designers usually sit with the fashion designers to plan the construction of the narrative world. It also depends on the collection’s inspiration. A few common sets include historical settings, abstract worlds or even real-life environments. A lot of runways these days are also using mirrors to create an illusion and make the garments pop. The set design all depends on your collection and if it is minimalist, opulent, futuristic or rustic. The layout determines how the audience perceives your show.
Choreography & Model Movement
The overall presentation of the fashion show also depends on the entire choreography. Though the traditional catwalk still dominates, designers today are changing how models move and interact with space. Graceful dances have also become popular on the ramp. The choreography can change the narrative expression of the show. Movement on the runway can be circular, maze-like or immersive.
Conclusion
Each element has its own function and is an important part of fashion presentations or fashion shows. None of them work in isolation. In order to build a cohesive presentation, it is important for designers to collaborate with sound directors, lighting experts and set designers. Only when they get together and communicate their needs, the show can be turned into a multisensory event. Fashion shows are not just about presentation. It’s a storytelling medium. A simple walk down the runway can be turned into an artistic statement if these elements are used in the best possible way. Our BSc in Fashion and Apparel Design students will get a chance to have their own show at the end of the sixth semester. During this period, they will learn a lot about what all goes into making a fashion show a success.
