Every six months since 2003, I head off to TNNA. Several years ago I agreed to run the back end of the TNNA fashion show. It seems like a huge undertaking, but thanks to all the work done in the years preceding my stepping in, and thanks to Barry Klein of Trendsetter Yarn who does everything else to keep the TNNA fashion show going, the fashion show seems to come together each time.
Putting On the TNNA Fashion Show
The winter show is in San Diego this year. Last year it was in Phoenix, and sometimes it is in Long Beach. Because yarn is six months ahead of retail, the winter show is for spring/summer yarns. This is the smaller of the two show for the yarn part of TNNA, so a smaller fashion show, which is sponsored by the Yarn Group.
Like most things, the details are not dependent on size. What has to be done, has to be done for each show, whether we have 35 pieces or 135 pieces. What seemed like quite an undertaking not too long ago is now pretty routine. I always have wonderful volunteers, some who return year after year, others at either the winter or the summer show, and always new ones. I love the opportunity to work with each of them and almost always someone figures out a better way to do something, which improves the process the next time. I take notes so we can implement at the next TNNA fashion show! Personally I think the TNNA fashion show is way more fun from the back than the front.
The big challenge for all of us is that everything kind of happens at the last possible moment. I believe Barry writes the script and creates the program earlier in the week of the show, while I figure out the lighting and other logistics of the fashion show between 3 and 6 pm.
When we are in Long Beach or San Diego we use a group of models that Barry works with. We like them because they get our show–and really make the most of each piece. They are “older” models which suits our industry. They are lovely, and I’m always so happy to see them! The models we used in June were also great–a sampling is shown.
The show goes live at 7 pm on Friday. Thursday and Friday features classes, then kick off activities Friday night. The show floor opens Saturday at 10 am. As this goes live, I’m working out whatever kinks have revealed themselves. If you are on Instagram, see if anyone posts pictures (try #tnnashow). I have an 8 pm dinner reservation. Tomorrow morning I get up and do garment return to vendors. After that the show floor is mine to explore as I want.
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