Designer Shares Tips on Her First Fashion Show Experience

Emerging designer Kate Roberts presented her first collection for Risk Takers Only at hiTechMODA’s New York Fashion Week Season 8 show. Every season, hiTechMODA features a highly curated selection of designers to showcase their incredible talents, with the mission to inspire, empower, discover and encourage fashion talent worldwide. Moreover, the production company provides a professional, affordable runway experience with high-quality production, photography, video, hair, and makeup held at a state-of-the-art venue during Fashion Week. We talked with Fashion Mingle member, Kate Roberts about her experience, challenges, and expectations before, during, and after the event.

Kate Roberts is from Boston, MA and is a self-taught designer and seamstress who has always been a fashion enthusiast. She began to design her own creations during the pandemic and presented her first-ever Spring/Summer 2023 collection last September at New York Fashion Week. Through signature items such as Italian release buckles, fabrics of scuba suede, and poly taffeta, she put together a cohesive collection that included a signature suit, paneled garment, flare bottoms, and a dress with an outdoor component to accompany it.

 
Kate defines the experience of creating and presenting her first collection during New York Fashion Week as exhilarating. “Huffing and puffing to both oversee the production of my collection and work within the constraints of hiTechMODA required flexibility and staying on my toes,” said the designer during her interview for Fashion Mingle.

For every fashion show there are unexpected challenges and learning how to quickly adapt to any situation is what first fashion shows are all about. Kate shared that she had logistical issues getting her collection from point A to point B and quickly had to find help to stay on schedule, she also had to perform last-minute alterations to a few pieces of her collection, and had to quickly scramble for a solution when three of her models didn’t show.

Fashion Mingle was able to connect Kate with stylist and consultant Jes Ruzic which was very important for the success of the label’s debut. “I couldn’t have done the show without her,” Kate said. While this was Kate’s first show, Jes already had experience and knew the routine, providing critical guidance to get Kate’s collection on the runway looking its best. Fashion Mingle also connected Kate to an alterations specialist and seamstress in Boston who worked with Kate to make final adjustments to the garments and ensure they were ready for the trip to New York.

We asked Kate to share her top 3 lessons she learned during her first fashion show:

1. If the runway show is being held at a hotel, get a room there to ease logistics. Otherwise, stay as close to venue as possible.
2. Keep in close contact with the show producer so you’re prepared for model fittings and the show itself.
3. Get the contact information for all your models so that you can reach out to them with a reminder about the event.

Having realistic expectations, problem-solving, and time management in advance is essential to putting on a fashion show. .

Kate defined her first New York Fashion Week show at hiTechMODA as a very productive and enlightening experience that she would do again. Fashion Mingle selected our favorite looks from the collection; check them out below!

If you’d like to show your new collection at a notable fashion week, feel free to reach out to Fashion Mingle. We’ll assist you — working within your budget — in selecting the best shows to work with and introduce you to vetted fashion show producers.