Britt Jacobson

Spotlight Editor

On Sunday, December 14, the 7th annual Fashion with Compassion event was held at the Luxe Hotel. This year, I had the opportunity to be both a model and a vendor. I would like to share with you what it was like to be a part of this amazing and unique event from both of the perspectives that I experienced.

Model Perspective:

Auditions:

It all started early in the fall with modeling auditions. You started to see posts on Facebook and heard announcements through MVN, the Roar, and class council reps: auditions are coming up! You brought a pair of heels if you’re a girl and headed over to the theatre. Music was pulsing through the speakers, and there was a table of people in charge sitting at the end of a tape runway. They decided if you make it, or break it. After a few people made their way down, you started to strut to the beat of the music, grinning through your nervousness until you make it to the table. You yelled your name over the music and sauntered back. After a week or so, you got an email titled “modeling decision.” If it congratulated you for being chosen to model, then you moved onto the next stage: fittings.

Fittings:

Fittings were a little different for each model this year. Some went to stores for fittings, others went to one of the head’s house where there was a large selection of donated clothes. Either way, you tried on different clothes until a look was decided for you.

Practices:

There were three modeling practices this year. The first two were in the week leading up to the event, and the third was the day of. In the first two practices, you were told the order of the models walking. If you were walking with a partner, that was the perfect time to figure your “routine.” Then on the day of the event, after you underwent makeup, hair, and changes, you ran through your walk. This was where you did the final touch ups were made.

The day of:

On the day of the event, you are asked to arrive at 6:30 or 7:30. Once you walked in, there were several people in charge checking you in, and getting you to a makeup artist or hair stylist. This year, beauty school students were trying to accomplish a uniform makeup look. Once your makeup was done and your hair styled, you found your outfit to change into. Then, before you know it, people started to fill in while you waited backstage. After multiple announcements regarding the organization being supported, the music started. It’s time to walk!

Vendor Perspective:

Preparations:

If you know you want to be a vendor at Fashion with Compassion, you get in touch with the vendor committee. I was fortunate to have friends that I knew were on the committee and got involved through them. They asked me to sign a form promising to donate a predetermined portion of my sales to the chosen charity of the year. In the days leading up to the event, someone from the committee contacts you and lets you know what time to arrive, and where to go from there. You should bring your own displays and products, of course, but a table will be provided for you.

The Day of:

On the actual day of the event, you arrive at the time that you are given to set up early. This year the time was 8:30 am, so that you would have time to set up before the pre-show boutique. By the time you are done setting up, people begin to arrive and browse and shop as they wait for doors to open for the show. When someone wants to buy one of your products, you make them a receipt, and they take it to a common pay register. After they pay they can come back and pick up their purchase. This process insures that Fashion with Compassion can receive proceeds to donate to the charity of choice. You are sent a check later on with your portion of the sales, after this has been deducted.

As far as combining these two roles, my mom and friend helped me out with the vendor side of things, as far as setting up and doing the pre-show selling. I was able to partake in the selling after the show however. If you are considering taking on either of these roles, I would highly recommend both. It’s a great experience overall, and plus, you get community service hours! Next fall when auditions come around, practice your fiercest poses and audition. Who knows? Maybe you could even be MNTM- Milken’s Next Top Model!