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  • ByEniafe Momodu
  • June 6, 2023

Behind the scenes: Fittings for ARISE Fashion Week 2023

When it comes to Fashion Week, press pages and social media are often flooded with glamorous images from the runways and presentations we know too well. On some occasions, digital audiences are offered a peek into the beauty and chaos that is ‘Backstage’. However, there’s a crucial part of the Fashion Week process that audiences almost never get to see: Fittings!
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As essential as they are to the success of the show, fittings can be an arduous process, but they can also be fun and seamless. Whichever the case may be for a particular brand, fittings are truly where the magic happens, as designers get to see and experience their models more intimately, and begin making crucial decisions that will ultimately shape how their collection is portrayed on the runway.

Some designers will begin by observing how their models walk to get a feel of how their pieces will move, whereas others focus first on aesthetic, skin tone, sizing, or other creative aspects that may complement a particular design.

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Some designers will begin by observing how their models walk to get a feel of how their pieces will move, whereas others focus first on aesthetic, skin tone, sizing, or other creative aspects that may complement a particular design.

Fittings allow designers to be more intentional with the curation of their shows, and also present an opportunity for models to familiarise themselves with each designer and brand. Without fittings, designers would also have no time to make alterations, and in most cases would be limited to sample sizes only. The fittings process allows for more diversity on the runway, as designers can account for various heights and body types and make changes to their pieces accordingly, perfecting every look for the model who will be wearing it.

Fittings are also an opportunity for designer’s to receive input from ARISE Fashion Week’s stylists and creative team. This year, Lead Stylist Jenke Ahmed Tailly arrived from Paris to attend fittings for brands like Awa Meite, Bianca Saunders, Kenneth Ize and Tiffany Amber. First-time ARISE Fashion Week-stylist Momo Hassan-Odukale also brought her unique sensibility to the runway for top brands like BLOKE, Fruché, Kadiju and Lisa Folawiyo.
Celebrity stylist Moses Ebite turned up the heat for runway favourites like T.I Nathan, Pepper Row, I.N. Official and Lanre Da Silva Ajayi. Meanwhile, Tosin Ogundadegbe, popularly known as The Style Infidel, was hard at work bringing his signature styling elements to life for designers such as Eki Kéré, Hudayya, Syari Bespoke and Ituen Basi.

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