Fashion shows are not just about the catwalk – they are often immersive experiences where every element plays a role in creating an atmosphere of style, luxury and sophistication. From the front row to behind the scenes, every detail matters, and this includes the furniture and catering equipment arrangements.
When it comes to hosting a successful fashion show, particularly in high-profile settings like London Fashion Week, the furniture hire and catering equipment can contribute to the event’s success or failure more than you might think. Let’s explore how to approach furniture hire and catering equipment for these glamorous, fast-paced events.
The seating arrangement for a fashion show is more than just a place for guests to sit. The right chairs not only need to be functional, but also contribute to the overall aesthetic of the show. For fashion events, modern and stylish seating is a must.
One of the top choices in recent years has been transparent seating such as ghost chairs for hire or our transparent Banquo chairs. These ultra-modern pieces offer a sleek, minimalist look that complements the clean lines and polished floors often seen in fashion show venues. Their transparent design allows the focus to remain on the models and the outfits, while still adding a chic touch to the space. Ghost chairs in particular have been seen flanking the catwalks of many top fashion shows, offering a stylish yet unobtrusive seating solution that blends seamlessly into the surroundings.
For designers and event planners who want to give a nod to the contemporary, modern ghost chairs are ideal. Their versatility and elegance ensure they can fit any fashion theme, from avant-garde collections to more classic haute-couture displays. Plus, their lightweight construction makes them easy to move around, a necessity when you’re dealing with quick turnarounds between shows during hectic events like London Fashion Week, for instance.
The bar area at a fashion event is a buzzing hive of activity, especially during networking sessions or after-show celebrations. It needs to reflect the sophistication of the event while providing a comfortable yet stylish space for guests to mingle.
For this, high-quality poseur tables and stools are essential. Poseur tables such as our glass Oro table options are tall, sleek and designed for casual standing gatherings, perfect for a stand-up drinks reception where people are chatting over cocktails and canapés. Pairing them with matching stools completes the look, giving attendees an option to perch during conversations while maintaining the chic atmosphere. These tables and stools should have a modern design, with metallic finishes or minimalist lines to keep the aesthetic on trend such as our Roma stools or Rio stools combined with our glass topped Oro poseur tables, to provide you with just a few examples of what is possible.
And let’s face it, no fashion event is complete without a stylish mobile bar setup. Whether you’re offering Champagne, cocktails, or mocktails, a modular bar like our ZIP cocktail bar adds a professional and visually appealing touch. This type of bar is not only functional, but also a statement piece that complements the sleek environment. With its glossy finishes and illuminated features, our ZIP bar for hire stands out, helping to keep the refreshments flowing.
Fashion shows, especially high-end events, often shy away from formal, sit-down dining. Instead, the trend is towards bowl food and canapés, which allow guests to nibble as they socialise or watch the show. This type of catering plan requires careful consideration of the catering equipment hire used to serve the food.
Opt for tasting bowls for hire, which are perfect for serving small portions of gourmet bites that look as good as they taste. These sleek, contemporary bowls, combined with stylish pastry forks or mini spoons, offer guests a practical yet elegant way to enjoy the food without the need for heavy plates or cumbersome cutlery.
This informal dining approach still needs to be chic. After all, it’s a fashion event, so even the catering equipment should reflect the tone of the occasion. The simplicity and style of bowl food fit perfectly into the fast-paced, yet glamorous environment, helping to make your event truly memorable for all the right reasons.
In any fashion show, there’s more going on than just the catwalk. The networking behind the scenes is just as important, if not more so, and no luxury event is complete without high-quality but cheap glassware hire.
For a fashion show’s networking event, consider hiring wine glasses and Champagne flutes, but not just run-of-the-mill options – choose high end! These items should be sleek, contemporary, and of the highest quality, reflecting the refinement of the event. When guests are toasting the success of the show or engaging in conversations with designers, stylists, or industry professionals, the glassware in their hands should match the tone of the event.
Opting for luxury glassware rental for events shows attention to detail, helping to ensure that even the smallest aspects of the event align with the overall style and sophistication expected at fashion shows. Great example of luxury glassware hire London includes our Open Up range, Invitation range and even our gold and silver rimmed glassware rental options.
Let’s not forget that what happens behind the scenes is just as important as what takes place on the catwalk. The models, stylists, and makeup artists all need a well-organised, stylish and functional space to prepare. From temporary changing rooms to furnished dressing areas, the backstage areas require just as much thought and planning as the main event itself.
One common solution is using our temporary pipe and drape systems to create temporary changing rooms. These spaces are essential for providing privacy while still keeping the backstage area open and flexible. To keep the backstage setup in line with the overall chic vibe of the event, you can furnish these areas with comfortable sofas, armchairs and artificial plants, for example. Not only do these pieces create a more inviting space for models and stylists to relax between changes, but they also add a touch of sophistication to the backstage environment.
Essential backstage furniture hire also includes garment rails and coat hangers, ensuring that outfits are kept pristine and well-organised. Additionally, temporary drinks fridges are crucial for keeping refreshments cool and on hand for busy stylists and models, while makeup mirrors and vanity mirrors are key in the hair and makeup areas, all of which are part of our event accessories range here online. Placing these mirrors on sturdy trestle tables allows hair and makeup teams to work efficiently, while directors chairs for the models offer comfort during their preparation.
Lighting is another critical aspect behind the scenes. While the runway is lit up by spotlights, the backstage area often needs uplighters to create a well-lit space for hairstylists and makeup artists to work. These temporary lighting solutions are crucial for ensuring that the models look their best before they hit the runway. Don’t forget, of course, that makeup mirrors are also lit with LED bulbs, so that will also help. Backstage furniture hire really is one of our specialities!
London Fashion Week is the pinnacle of the UK’s fashion calendar, drawing designers, models, celebrities, and fashion enthusiasts from all over the world. Every February and September, London becomes a hub of activity, as the latest collections are unveiled, and industry professionals gather to exchange ideas, spot trends, and showcase their work. Fashion Week events are known for their high stakes and impeccable style, and furniture hire plays a crucial role in creating the atmosphere that defines these events.
For those involved in organising shows during London Fashion Week, from designers to event planners, choosing the right furniture and catering equipment can make all the difference, and demand is always high for event equipment hire such as this from the team at Event Hire UK, so the advice is always to place your order as far in advance as possible!
In summary, therefore, organising a fashion show is about far more than the clothes. The environment you create for your guests, from the front-row seating to the backstage dressing rooms, plays a crucial role in the overall experience. With Event Hire UK, you can ensure that every element of your event, from the stylish ghost chairs to our contemporary range of cocktail bars, reflects the elegance and sophistication expected at top-tier fashion events across London and the UK.
Hopefully, this article has provided you with some ideas of what is possible, and so we very much look forward to partnering with you on your upcoming event or occasion!
