Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Molly Wallwin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Molly, appreciate you joining us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.
I started in the fashion industry back in 1993 as a runway model, I was booked for many shows and I enjoyed it a lot. But, it didn’t pay the bills, so I left and started in the corporate world as a Full life cycle recruiter and I left fashion.
Fast forward to 2020, several years later obviously, I thought maybe I could try the fashion industry again and see how things have changed from the 90’s. I went on casting call after casting call and was in chosen to be in many shows. I am a mom of 3 and older than most of the models I was casting with.
I was blessed to have been accepted to do NYFW, Phoenix Fashion Week, LAFW, London Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week. My dreams came true. HOWEVER!!! Being apart of so many productions and shows I saw many things wrong with the industry and I thought, I have to make changes and lead by example.
First thing I noticed was that 99% of shows DONT TAKE CARE OF THE MODELS! And for most shows, the models are required to do several rehearsals prior to the show. Day of the show is typically very long and lots of wasted time.
1. Models don’t get compensated for their time.
2. Models and designers don’t get the recognition they deserve via IG or any advertising
3. The designers don’t get any Return on their investment (ROI)..
4. Models aren’t fed at the shows. Nothing. For new models, they are shocked. For a 12 hour day? they call their parents to bring them food.
5. No show gives the audience any brochure to tell them about the designers or the models.
So, I decided to put on my first show “Let’s Do This” Fashion show and I made sure all the models were paid and well advertised. I also really advertised the designers on the audience brochures. IT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!!!
Now, I am doing my 2nd show and making it bigger and better. “Let’s Do This”- Again
Models are paid and recognized. Designers are recognized as well in the brochure as well as the Champagne & shop after wards. This part gives the audience a chance to meet personally with the designers and build a rapport with them for a in the moment sale or future sales.
Its a lot of work, but I feel very passionate about making this change a basic standard in the industry.
Molly, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I started in the fashion industry back in 1993 as a runway model, I was booked for many shows and I enjoyed it a lot. But, it didn’t pay the bills, so I left and started in the corporate world as a Full life cycle recruiter and I left fashion.
Fast forward to 2020, several years later obviously, I thought maybe I could try the fashion industry again and see how things have changed from the 90’s. I went on casting call after casting call and was in chosen to be in many shows. II am a Mom of 3 great kiddos and I am fortunate to have a very supportive husband. Without their support, I couldn’t have done any of this.
I was blessed to have been accepted to do NYFW, Phoenix Fashion Week, LAFW, London Fashion Week, Milan Fashion Week. My dreams came true. HOWEVER!!! Being apart of so many productions and shows I saw many things wrong with the industry and I thought, I have to make changes and lead by example.
First thing I noticed was that 99% of shows DONT TAKE CARE OF THE MODELS! And for most shows, the models are required to do several rehearsals prior to the show. Day of the show is typically very long and lots of wasted time.
1. Models don’t get compensated for their time.
2. Models and designers don’t get the recognition they deserve via IG or any advertising
3. The designers don’t get any Return on their investment (ROI)..
4. Models aren’t fed at the shows. Nothing. For new models, they are shocked. For a 12 hour day? they call their parents to bring them food.
5. No show gives the audience any brochure to tell them about the designers or the models.
So, I decided to put on my first show “Let’s Do This” Fashion show and I made sure all the models were paid and well advertised. I also really advertised the designers on the audience brochures. IT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!!!
Now, I am doing my 2nd show and making it bigger and better. “Let’s Do This”- Again
Models are paid and recognized. Designers are recognized as well in the brochure as well as the Champagne & shop after wards. This part gives the audience a chance to meet personally with the designers and build a rapport with them for a in the moment sale or future sales.
Its a lot of work, but I feel very passionate about making this change a basic standard in the industry.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
You never know how patient or resilient you have to be until you are faced with obstacles and challenges. In my first show, I had 2 designers that were very difficult. One that promised to pay his designer fee and never did. I made the mistake of allowing him in my show and on the runway with out paying anything. Free advertising. I had another designer that was having a panic attack and was making my show run late and I had to force her to continue and get the models on the runway. Both designers sadly are not working me me any more.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
As far as funding my first show. I was blessed to have 2 businesses sponsor me with a little financial help. Otherwise it was through ticket sales that made my show financially possible. We sold out!!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsdothisfashionshow/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/molly.anne.98892615/
Image Credits
Neil Ward- Photographer Nader Abushhab- Photographer Style Twins- Stylist