FASHION VOLUNTEERS

The size and complexity of each SFW, with its multiple events in various venues, myriad of participants and hefty crowds for each of the 40-odd shows is cause for any organiser have a major migraine. However the invaluable and often-selfless service of many volunteers who hover around lending a hand is a god-send. Each year top prizes are given to these tireless individuals who made their own indelible mark and made all our days that much more pleasant and manageable. 

Volunteer Vincent Woo, 22, a business administration undergraduate at Nanyang Technological University, was attached to a American visitor Ms Deborah Koenigsberger from Noir et Blanc. In the short time as an event host, he built up a good rapport with the buyer, accompanying her to most of the shows and keeping her in contact to all the key SFW personnel, facilitating her work here. In between the basic duties, he also showed the buyers around in Singapore. Despite her early morning departure, Vincent was also at hand to help her check out, ensuring her safe and pleasant passage home.

“Vincent went absolutely above and beyond the call of duty. He was pleasant, helpful and completely dedicated to making sure I always had what I needed and sometimes even things I didn't know I needed. A thoughtful, kind, young man who is very knowledgeable about Singapore and I don’t know what I would have done without him.”

Taking on quite a different role, volunteer John Chen, 21, human resource undergraduate from Nanyang Technological University, was tasked to assist
In manning doors and entrance traffic to fashion shows at TDS. What was a seemingly simple task and role as a “bouncer”, was also a role charged with responsibility, etiquette and diplomacy.

“Assisting with the logistics preparation before each show, I helped to set up the area by preparing and distributing goodie bags on the seats between shows. That done and prior to the start of each show, my focus would shift to crowd control and managing the priority sitting arrangements for press and buyers. Watching it all unfold before my eyes, I know have learnt more about fashion (especially local designers) and how a fashion show is run and put together – from the tension during rehearsals to excitement or cool nonchalant mood when the lights come on and the show begins.”

In all, John served his time well, managing the crowds of some 23 individual shows without hiccups. Having carried his tasks out smoothly and responsibly, he was asked to return on the fourth day just to help with the logistics of the moving out. Despite his busy university schedule, he accepted and came back right to help after his classes ended. He was also happy to help out during Dare To at very short notice, accepting the request without question even though he had not gone home the night before after the Wrap Party.  His excellent work attitude clearly left a good impression with the organiser.

Repeating his stint at SFW06, fashion design undergraduate Josiah Chua, xx.  from LASALLE College of the Arts once again assisted SFW photographer Steve Wood. Steve, the internationally renowned, UK-based runway photo specialist had Josiah thrust on him as an assistant last year. After learning the ropes last year, Steve picked him again and was glad that Josiah had matured and importantly, not forgotten the skills that were imparted on him last year.

“He has covered all my internet and photographic assistance needs over the past two years. Although I am an extremely difficult and demanding employer, he coped extremely well. He followed 99% of my instructions as he captioned and formatted all the pictures from Singapore Fashion Week, putting them in order and in a deliverable state for Newspapers and Magazines. Even late at night and into the early hours in the morning, he made meticulous selections of pictures for European magazines and newspaper. He prepared all the files (pictures) for my internet site and the other internet sites I supply. He is extremely diligent and was never late despite having worked late all night. He seemed to care a great deal about fashion and thus the images he selected were chosen with the designer in mind. Even when some things went wrong and he had the odd accident, he was able to find the solutions and overcome them.”

Josiah sums it up, “It is the highlight of the year for me but at the same time it was very tiring and energy draining. Nevertheless, it was worth all the pain and strain.”