Organising a fashion show in Paris: a production guide

Defining a practical brief

Bring together the brand’s objectives, proposed dates, audience, guest and look counts, visual references and photo or video deliverables. Note what is confirmed and which decisions remain open. Add a budget range and identify who will approve decisions. A brief should distinguish essentials from options.

Choosing a venue and preparing the technical visit

Assess a venue through the guest journey, runway, backstage and delivery access. Check the spaces available for fittings, outfit changes and teams. During the technical visit, record dimensions, access routes, equipment, electrical points and installation constraints. Have the venue confirm capacities and conditions for your project before finalising the set design.

Building the budget and setting priorities

Separate venue hire, technical production, set design, casting, teams, logistics, guest reception and content production. Include installation, rehearsal and dismantling time, plus a contingency suited to the project. Compare quotes on the same basis: staffing hours, equipment, transport and deliverables. Protect what serves the collection and the smooth running of the show first, then simplify decorative elements or lower-priority options.

Working backwards from showtime

Start at showtime and work back to creative approvals. Define milestones: venue choice, technical studies, orders, casting, fittings, collection delivery, installation, rehearsals and doors opening. Assign responsibility for every decision and identify dependencies. Preparation time varies with the venue and complexity; allow buffers between deliveries and the dress rehearsal.

Coordinating lighting, sound and set design

Lighting should make looks clear both to guests and on camera. Sound and music cues support the pace of the show. Set design guides attention and movement. Prepare a shared plan, a technical requirements list and a running order covering entrances, transitions and cues. Test the setup with the relevant teams before guests arrive.

Organising backstage

Prepare the running order, look assignments, dressing requirements and hair and makeup schedule. Label pieces, accessories and shoes to reduce uncertainty. Reserve circulation areas and a coordination point. During rehearsals, check quick changes and walking times. The show running order and look list should use matching references.

Planning deliveries, installation and dismantling

List transport volumes, access routes, permitted time slots and the people receiving deliveries. Organise the build sequence around technical work. Plan storage for packaging and equipment, followed by item returns and an inventory after the event. Share one schedule with timings, contacts and venue instructions.

After the show

Check the return of the collection and equipment, then gather deliverables and review material. Compare results with the brief: guest experience, content quality and production delivery. The Factory Production supports runway production, casting, creative direction, photography and film; the precise scope is agreed with your brand.

Let’s discuss your project

Let’s start with your brief.

Introduce your brand, your dates and your objectives.