A Fashion show lasts an average of 10 to 15 minutes. And yet it
takes months of planning, preparation and hard work. We asked Stefano Scioscia,
the man behind the artistic direction of some of the most outstanding runway shows,
to give us insight about his work.
Forward: How did you get started in this field?
Stefano Scioscia: It all began by chance. I was scouted by an agent in Italy and
started working as a model. Over the years, I realized that I was less
interested in the modeling career, and very curious about its technical aspect.
I was determined to personally produce fashion shows, taking care of the
artistic direction. So after a few years of experience as assistant director, I
launched my own company.
F: Who are
the persons who collaborate together for the success of a fashion show?
SS: The
casting director, the stylist, the lighting director, the set designer, makeup
artists, hair dressers, wardrobe assistants, tailors, the press office, PR
representatives, and, of course, the designer and the art director who
coordinate the whole thing.
F: Step by
step, what does it take to organize a fashion show?
SS:Initially, I sit with the fashion designer in order to understand his vision,
the mood of the collection, and the available budget. We then choose the
location of the fashion show and conceive the lighting and set design. In the
meantime, we develop the fashion show soundtrack. A week before the fashion
show, we organize the castings and fittings of the models. The next step is
staging the premises with an appropriate space for the backstage and the
catwalk. On the day of the show, we proceed with the light and sound tests,
followed by choreography rehearsals with the models. Come D-day, the fashion
show starts as the models hit the runway!
F: How do
you choose the music? The lighting?
SS: There
are no rules for choosing the music. It depends greatly on the collection and
the musical preferences of the designer.
I try to keep myself updated about the latest music releases so I
can select good music, which is still not mainstream. I choose the tracks, make
my edits, add some effects and create my own remix. On other occasions, I
collaborate with composers who create a specially designed soundtrack for the collection.
In both cases, the music is instrumental.
The lighting is designed depending on the location, the set and the
concept of the collection. It varies based on the time of the day, the presence
of windows, etc. Lighting is key for the success of the photos and videos.
F: What is
your favorite part about putting together a show?
SS:Definitely the design aspect, with the choice of materials, lighting, music,
because it’s the most creative part.