March 20, 2023
Q&A: We’re looking back on Copenhagen Fashion Week with Le Management.
There is no doubt that it is a team effort whenever there’s fashion week – every one of our awesome colleagues are involved in the process before, during, and after. We’ve therefore talked about it all with our Art, Management, Sales, and SoMe teams from Le Management.
Q. How do you prepare for fashion week?
A. – Art & Management: Our preparation for fashion week starts approximately five to six months before, as we organize training events at our offices, where we practice catwalk with those, who we believe will walk the shows during fashion week. It often requires several events, which is why we start the process early.
Then, we usually start making show packages one to two months before, both with our own models and the directs that we represent. It is a major assembly job, as it requires the respective bookers to check which models are available during fashion week. In addition, we also experience that brands fly in international models, so we focus a lot on including the correct directs in our international show packages.
A. – Sales: We prepare by researching which customers are present at CIFF and Revolver. Each booker writes to their current clients or new potential clients, and arrange meetings with them to meet face-to-face. The preparations therefore preferably start four weeks before or as soon as the participants at the fairs are announced.
Before a meeting, the booker examines who they will be talking to, to be able to prepare for the conversation, examining the customer and potential of a collaboration. We always contact leads well in advance, so that both parties have a clear agreement on when to meet.
A. – SoMe: We prepare by arranging different templates for Instagram, which includes posts, stories, and other video material that we collect during fashion week, for example backstage videos. In addition, we work closely with the rest of the teams to receive information about when models are confirmed, so we know which models go to which shows. Finally, we prepare questions for interviews, and have a plan for how the fashion week will proceed as well as ideas for additional content.
Q. Do you work most before, during, or after fashion week?
A. – Art & Management: Most of our work takes place before fashion week, as the weeks leading up to it are spent preparing and booking the models for the many shows. It is a long process as castings must be arranged, rates negotiated, fittings, and finally, confirmed shows – and then possibly arrange travel and hotel.
However, there are still a few bookings that fall into place at the last minute during the fashion week. Otherwise, it’s just a matter of making sure the models arrive on time, and being ready for any problems that may arise. For example, a model called in sick, so we had to pull her from two shows and find replacements. After fashion week, we spend the weekend relaxing as the weeks leading up to fashion week often means staying late and having hectic workdays. Wrapping up fashion week also includes making sure all models are good, and then we settle all the bookings.
A. – Sales: Much of our work in relation to fashion week is not isolated before, during, or after. We seek out customers and arrange meetings with brands beforehand, and then it’s important for us to be present during fashion week. After fashion week, we evaluate how things have gone and talks with customers about how to improve for future collaboration.
A. – SoMe: Most of our work takes place during fashion week because we must both collect material in the form of pictures and videos, and put together all the content so that we can post it on our social media channels while it is relevant.
Q. What areas of responsibility do you have in connection with fashion week?
A. – Art & Management: Our agents are responsible for booking the models for fashion week in Copenhagen. We’re in direct dialogue with the various brands that hold shows during fashion week – our goal is always to get as many models at the different shows as possible, both our own and the directs that we represent.
A. – Sales: Customer Relations! The responsibility consists of being present around the customers and mingling, so that they can put a face on those they write and talk on the phone with, which is very important as it strengthens our relationship.
Each fashion week we throw a party, and this year it has been our responsibility to organize the party, getting all the loose ends to meet and having control over even the smallest details – for example, if there are to be balloons, helium, holders for them etc. We’ve already started planning for the party this summer, so that everything is spot on!
A. – SoMe: Collect, process, and create content – film shows, take photos, interview the models, etc. – and post the content on Instagram and TikTok. We also have a task in being present at events and shows so that the models can see that we support them.
Q. What is the coolest thing about your work in connection with fashion week?
A. – Art & Management: It’s definitely the satisfaction of booking a show, and then seeing several weeks of work unfold – just seeing the joy of the models when they are confirmed and after they have gone to a show is always a pleasure and a huge motivation.
A. – Sales: Being allowed to meet the customers that we write emails with and talk to on the phone in reality – and it’s great to see everything you have planned HAPPEN.
A. – SoMe: The coolest thing about fashion week is that you get to go to different shows and experience the models up close. We can talk to the models and get to know them better, as well as create cool content with the models when they are at the shows.