Every Fashion Week, shows are won or lost on the details that audiences never see, especially when it comes to technology.
From runway streaming to real-time POS in pop-ups, every detail matters, and even a glitch can disrupt the audience’s experience.
So, how do you craft a stress-tested tech plan if you’re producing or running PR for the week’s biggest moments? Here’s a streamlined, step-by-step approach for getting it right.
Start With Clear Objectives And Partner With an IT Expert
Before anything else, map out your event’s core goals. Are you maximizing live audience reach with global streaming? Will you be running on-site retail, influencer meet-ups, or data-driven post-show follow-up? Define your objectives first: this will inform every other technical decision.
If you are not sure how to get started or you are trying a new format or project, it may be worth partnering with IT strategy consulting experts. They can orient your team on building a technology roadmap, clarifying vendor roles, internal responsibilities, key milestones, and budget priorities before timelines get tight.
Assess Venue Infrastructure: Wi-Fi, Power, and Devices
Rehearsals are key to bring your event from concept to catwalk, but you shouldn’t wait this long to focus on your IT strategy! Long before models rehearse, conduct a venue tech audit with your IT or AV lead. Some of the questions to answer include:
- What’s the available bandwidth? Can it support your intended social streaming, plus media and staff devices, without buffering?
- Are there enough power drops and protected outlets close to runways, pop-ups, and backstage?
- Can your credentialing/check-in apps and mobile POS run reliably everywhere on site?
For added control, you may check with your venue if they offer network upgrades or dedicated broadcast lines. Lock these in early if your event’s broadcast takes priority!
Plan Streaming Workflows
Live shows can now reach global audiences thanks to powerful live streaming services. However, for successful live coverage, it is important to understand what your tech needs are and be prepared to upgrade your strategy.
A good idea is to plan your workflow backwards: camera feeds, switcher location, stream encoding, and backup recordings. Map out your streaming and AV zones physically and test everything in advance, including audience device access in both rehearsal and full-capacity dress rehearsal.
Security Matters
Now more than ever, the fashion industry is under fire by cyber attacks. Just last year, both Dior and Marks & Spencer (M&S) reported ransomware and data theft, which led to online trading disruptions, significant financial costs, and a loss of important data. Large events, such as Fashion Weeks, are even more at risk!
To address this threat, partner with cybersecurity experts to develop a strategy that may include securing WiFi connections, using RFID or digital tagging to check credentials, implementing physical and digital security measures, and using multi-factor authentication to access key information.
Enable POS, Merch Drops, and Secure Data Capture
For on-site retail or exclusive drops, choose POS systems compatible with your Wi-Fi and power plans. Cloud-based POS is efficient, but make sure to test this system for latency under event conditions (larger crowds, increased use, etc.).
If you are looking to gather data from attendees, you may consider linking payment processing to secure data collection. For instance, the system can prompt guests for emails or social handles. However, this needs to be carried out in full transparency, adding opt-in for privacy and adhering to privacy requirements (like GDPR if you have EU press/influencers).
Fashion Week Tech: The Details that Define Success
A thorough, realistic tech plan protects your vision and reputation when the curtain rises. With clear objectives, aligned tech partnerships, and proactive troubleshooting, your Fashion Week event can set the bar for both beauty and efficient event execution.
