Information on Light Effects in Fashion Shows

Lighting effects enhance the fashion show.

Collections are showcased on fashion runways each season for retail buyers and invited guests. Designers work extensive hours during the season to prepare for this main event. Light effects are a key element to enhance the garment as well as create the mood and tone of the collection as the models walk the runway, which is known as the “catwalk”. Hiring experienced lighting designers will ensure the lighting show effects will be about enhancing the clothes and the brand.

Catwalk Lighting Design

Lighting designers usually start with a smooth wash of white lighting on the entire runway to highlight the garments and any special trims or accessories. The lighting designer will then incorporate the designer’s theme and style of the show and start building the lighting effects from the smooth white lighting base, avoiding any significant glares known as “hot spots” on the runway.

Music Based Shows

Designers which include music as part of the fashion show influence the lighting designer’s choices. For example, using colored gels over flood lights, which are separate color films, will automatically change the tone for the featured garments. Colored moving lighting effects are often implemented between the garment’s theme transitions.

Dance Based Shows

Strobe lighting are often incorporated into dance based fashion shows. The constant bright flicker of the lights changes the pulse of the show for the invited guests and creates a nightclub as well as party atmosphere as the models walk down the runway.

Dim Lighting Effects

Using lights to create a different effect such as mystery or romance is achieved by using light dimming effects. For example, haute couture dresses which often have a specific tone such as mystery will include smoke machines and dimming light color hues to create a mystical atmosphere. Blinking lights will create a star-filled evening to bring forth an evening filled with romance for evening dresses.

Bright, Gray and Soft Lighting

Athletic, swimwear as well as casual wear collections often use bright light effects to create sunshine as well as spring and summer weather for the audience. Fall and winter collections incorporate gray lighting hues mixed with warm color lighting such as shades of red, orange and brown to create the atmosphere of cooler evenings and warm nights by the fire.

Accenting Apparel Color with Lighting

Lighting designers will meet with designers prior to the show to discuss the color story for each section of the show and choreograph the lighting effects to enhance specific colors. Black light is used to uplight the stage and make white extra bright during winter collections.Uplighting is a technique which entails a high powered light bulb in front of a reflector or mirror, concentrating the light. Gray lighting effects are also used to reflect off of snowflakes made from rented snow machines for skiwear collections.

References

• “Guide to Producing a Fashion Show (2nd Edition);” Judith C. Everett and Kristen K. Swanson; 2004