My Fashion Show Disaster! A Lesson From Life

When I first began posting the clothing I made on Instagram, it was really just for fun. I didn’t know where it would lead me. I was studying human biology in hopes to become a PA because that was the most realistic job I thought I should go for.

About a month after sharing, my heart was touched at how many people wanted to buy clothing. I began sewing and making for friends and then someone reached out to me asking to be apart of a fashion show. You can only imagine my excitement. (Below is the first post showing a garment I made)

While being excited, I was also extremely nervous. Was I capable of this? Could I produce something runway worthy? Little did I know, I’d learn many lessons with this show.

I began making clothes like a machine. I had never put a line together so I created so many pieces and the best ones, I would put in the show.

There was also going to be a pop up booth sale for anyone who wanted to do it. I signed up and was also making tops and dresses. I handmade some tags with little motivating quotes in the back and pinned them to all my clothes.

One week before

I was told the runway stylist would come choose the clothes, so I put everything on a rack and waited anxiously. A girl and a guy came and picked about 8 looks and left with the clothing. I asked about rehearsals and they told me someone was in charge of that. I didn’t need to do anything but show up. Since I never had experience, I thought wow okay thats nice.

I took the weekend off from work to be able to attend all the events for the big show!

The night before the pop up stands, I had an anxiety attack. I wanted to pull out and not do it anymore. I didn’t know how to sell, and didn’t feel good enough to even sell. I barely started! I had no idea what I was even doing. I cried to William and told him I didn’t want to go through with it anymore. He encouraged me, prayed for me and gave me the strength to face the next morning. He told me he would be there every step. And that’s exactly what I needed.

Day of Pop Up Booth and Day before Fashion Show

The morning of, Will helped me pack all the clothes, tables, business cards and more into two cars and drove with me to the location.

We set up the booth, and waited for people to come. Despite my nerves, I sold a few items and met lots of people. My family came by to say hi and I had a pretty great time. Will stayed by me the entire time.

I received messages from the models at rehearsal in my outfits. I felt assured that everything would go great the next day! I messaged the organizer to see if I should go early to help set up. She said no just show up. So, I got ready for my big night and my mom came with to see my first real fashion show.

We had to pay to enter which kind of sucked since I spent so much money in putting the outfits for the show together ($30 a person and i had 3 people with me!). But I figured it cost ALOT of money to put together so it was fine.

When I showed up, I saw lots of the designers in the back and helping run the show. I wondered why I wasn’t able to help, but I looked at the brochure and saw my name on there in the lineup. Eeeek! I felt like I was going to cry; it felt like a dream come true.

(Photo taken before we drove to location)

As they showed each line, I was sitting excited as we got closer to my name. As we got to me, the show ended. They announced that was it and everyone began getting up. It was very loud, but in panic everything went silent.

Where was my line? My clothes? My turn? What happened?

My family and friends looked at me confused. My mom told me to go find out quick what happened they skipped me!

I ran around trying to find someone. Finally, I was pointed in the direction of the runway coordinators. As I told them I was a designer, they asked me why I wasn’t at rehearsal or there before the show? They had no clue who I was. I told them the woman who organized this told me not to come. I wouldn’t have even known where to go. They had no clue where my clothes were or what happened.

I finally found the woman in charge and she apologized and said there was no way she could find the clothes and have everyone sit to watch. She ensured me she would find it and bring them back to me. As I realized all the hours I put into these items were lost and weren’t going to be shown, I began to weep.

My mom and friends got me out of there and all hugged me in the midst of my heartbreak. That’s what it felt like. It was a broken dream. So many hours gone. And it hurt. It took me a week to recover. I didn’t even want to look at my sewing machine. It also took a week for the items to be found and returned. She also gave me back the money for my tickets.

But I learned ALOT that I NEEDED to learn.

And this is what:

1. Things won’t always go as planned and that is O K A Y.

2. ALWAYS have your hand in ANY show you are in and make sure you know exactly who what when where.

3. As I saw the lines, I realized mine had no cohesion. It was just a bunch of randomness I put together. I told myself next time I would put lots of thought and planning beforehand.

4. I am TOTALLY worthy and capable of selling and making.

5. There is never a perfect time, just do it.

6. I will face some hard times in pursing my craft, my own business, but I can’t take it harshly. I can only learn from the mistakes I made.

7. I also met incredible people through the experience so I told myself to put myself out there more. Even if it hurts or is scary.

After this painful experience, I grew. I learned seriously so much. I needed this experience to grow and begin my journey in trying to become my own boss.

The organizer even ended up giving my a free Photoshoot to make up for the show. I met even more incredible people and she made me feel really special and I greatly appreciated it. People mess up and that’s okay. Her actions showed me she cared. I forgave everything that happened, took the “L”, and learned for the next time. And in my heart, I knew there would be a next time.

Thank you God for making me stronger through this experience. If you have failures in your journey, remember it happens to everyone in some form. We all go through crappy moments that we don’t even want to speak of because it is so embarrassing. Just know you aren’t alone, & while it does suck, it is definitely not the end of your journey. In fact, it’s most likely just the beginning.

Xo,

E