
Quick Warning: This is going to be a very picture heavy post so you have been warned!
I have been a part of the backstage crew for the last eight seasons, I have seen it go from strength to strength and I have to say hands down this season has been one of my favourites so far. We were based in the Life church venue on Bruce street in Belfast city centre. This proved to be a great centralised location and meant that any issues that arose with security tags being left on etc. could be resolved in a matter of minutes. The location itself was very beautiful indeed with everything from amazing quirky jam jars lights to chair used as shelves nailed to the walls. The space really lent itself very well to hosting a fashion show and gave retailers a great shop the show space outside the main catwalk area. 
My involvement with fashion week started on Wednesday morning when I went on over to castlecourt to help out John Gerard ( @astylistsopinion on Instagram) to put together and finish pulling the castlecourt rounds for Saturday nights high street showcase. We where based out of an old unit in the centre which made our jobs so much easier because a lot of time has to go into organising clothes depending on model sizing and also what category’s we wanted to show E.g. head to toes glitz and winter garden greens. I had a lot of fun helping out as I have worked with castlecourt since the beginning of my volunteering days just over three years ago. Yes it is very stressful because we had 15 models, plus-size, men’s and children’s to put together and organise but when you see the looks hit the runway it is all totally worth all the time and effort you have put in.





Wednesday the 15th of October marked the official first night of A/W 14 at BFW it started with a charity screening of mean girls for the pretty in pink charity. The runway shows began on Thursday night with Excel clothing showcase. Excel is a company that I have to be honest I hadn’t heard of prior to the show but after a bit of research and seeing the amazing array of outfits on Thursday night it is definitely a brand that I would look to in the future, they stock everything from Vivienne Westwood to Belstaff and everything in-between. 
During fashion week my primary role is as a dresser which means I work with a model to help them with their changes between each round, on Thursday I was working with the male models ( tough job but someone has to do it right!) I was paired up with Piaras who you might remember I worked with last season. We had 6 looks which included some amazing pieces from Armani and Hugo Boss but the jacket above with the built in sunglasses had to be my personal favourite look.

Probably the best bit of Thursday night and one of the best moments from the whole event was getting to me my idol aka HelenMelon aka Melon lady at the Excel showcase. Excel clothing had brought over Helen and Kavita ( who unfortunately I didn’t get a picture with) to see the showcase and also experience Belfast. I have been watching Helen on YouTube for years now and as soon as I saw her post on Instagram that she was coming to the show not going to lie I freaked out. It was so surreal and I know I bored the life out of everyone around me but I made it my nights goal to at least say hello. Helen was just so lovely even though I was a wee bit shaky around her she was lovely and agreed to a quick picture before the show. It still feels so surreal as I have been watching her for so long but if anyone is reading this THANK YOU excel for bringing the girls over for the show.

Another favourite Selfie from the week ( can you see a trend forming) is the first night I got reunited with my Partner in crime Rosanna AKA Silver Brogues . Rosanna and I have been working together since she started assisting at fashion week 3 season ago even though both of us agree it feels like so much longer. But you will see more of Rosanna throughout this post.



Friday night was local designers and Boutiques night and I was paired up with the stunning Mairead who again you should recognise if you saw my last seasons posts. This is probably one of my favourite nights because I love so many local designers, some highlights being Julia Sokele and Kate Wilson
Katie Wilsons parachute dress was probably my favourite piece from the whole show!


Myself and Mairead pre show

Press call
The rest of the week was a bit of a blur with early starts and late finishes but I was able to document it all through a lot of photos hence the #selfiegameisstrong this is probably the best way to sum up the week. Selfies all over the show !









Did any of you guys attend any of the show what did you think? If you every want any advice about volunteering what to expect and who to email just email me at Gingersnapsvintage@yahoo.com
Until next time…Tj xo
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