A fashion show conceived as an immersive environment – where scenography, lighting, music and guest experience were designed as a single narrative system.
A fashion show conceived as an immersive environment – where scenography, lighting, music and guest experience
were designed as a single narrative system.
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Date: 2 December 2024
Location: EHL Aula, Lausanne (approx. 28m x 14m)
Format: Runway show + VIP pre-show cocktail (segmented ticketing)
Audience: 250 guests (sold out)
Designers: 12 emerging designers from Switzerland and France
Models: 50 students and external models
Looks: 60-70
Role: President, EHL Arts Committee – Creative Direction & Production Lead
The EHL Fashion Show is an annual event initated by the EHL Arts Committee (est. 2018). Over the committee the aim was to elevate the show’s creative standards and production structure, and to reposition the committee as a platform capable of delivering cultural and experimental events through a hospitality lens.
CREATIVE DIRECTION
The initial creative exploration referenced “One Thousand and One Nights” as an atmosphere–warm tones, tension, and darker immersive world–rather than a literal theme.
As development progressed, a direct interpretation was intentionnaly rejected to avoid visual clichés, reduce cultural representation risks, and keep the project executable within budget and logistical contraints.
The final concept became “A Messy Dinner”– a deliberate inversion of hospitality codes. In a school built on rigour, table-setting and service discipline, the scenography embraced controlled disruption: an elegant dinner environment turned theatrical and chaotic.
Visual language
Dominant red / deep bordeaux palette with dark tones (in deliberate contrast to EHL’s navy identity)
Textural references: structured verlvet, candlelight, reflective glass and floral accents
Creative references: fashion show staging and comtemporary atmospheres (Balenciaga, Demna), underground club environments (Berlin)
SPACIAL DESIGN & GUEST EXPERIENCE
The show was designed as a full-room transformation thater than a liner runway. The Aula layout featured a looped runway path structured around central table islands, placing part of the audience inside the scenography.
A rear projection screen anchored the space visually, progressibely displaying designers’ names and final credits
AUDIENGE SEGMENTATION
Classic: standard seating around the runway
Front Row (VIP): closest positions to the runway
VIP+: central tables inside the runway configuration, with wine service (white/red) during the show
A private pre-show cocktail was also organized for VIP+ guests and sponsors.
TABLE SCENOGRAPHY (”MESSY DINNER”)
Velvet tablecloths, candles, roses, bottles and glassware were arranged in a stylised but chaotic composition–
presenting familiar hospitality elements while intentioannly breaking the rules.
LIGHTING & SOUNS STRATEGY
Lighting was treated as a primary scenographic tool to detach the room from its institutional context and create a strong emotional atmosphere.
Pre-show: satruted red look to establish tension and immersion
Show state: shift to neutral white to ensure garment visibility and camera readability
Transitions/key moments: controlled returns to atmospheric cues to maintain identity
Sound and pacing were designed as part of the experience. Rather than indenpendant music choices per designer, the show used a curated playlist (60 tracks) from which designers selected.
The final order was composed to create rythm and contrast (high intensity –> calm reset), while respecting runway and backstage constraints.
The project combined creative direction with structured execution across a volunteer/student production environment.
Team Building
Rebuilt the committee through a structred interview process
Expanded from 12 members (Spring 2024) to 18 members (Fall 2024), with 20-25 interviers per semester
Casting & talent coordination
Two-day casting session (early November): +80 students models
Allocation system: designers selected models from a shared deck using a preference-based from (3 choices per look)
Consolidated all submissions, resolved overlaps, and finalised allocations to ensure feasibility
BACKSTAGE OPERATIONS
Backstage was organised into functional zones
hair & make-up
designer racks
changing area
runway lineup neat thte entrance supporting rapid changes and consistent flow
TECHNICAL PRODUCTION
Lighting was delivered with Illumination under tight constraints (load-in the day before, strike the day after).
Despite the budget impact, lighting remained a non-negotiable pillar to achieve the intended scenographic outcome.
PARTNERSHIPS
Sponsorship coordination was led by the committee’s Head of Partnerships, Maxime BLEEKER, with
contributions primarly in-kind:
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OUTCOME & IMPACT
The EHL Fashion Show 24’: A Messy Dinner welcomed 250 guests (sold out) and showcased 12 designers, 50 models, and 60-70 looks in a one-hour runway sequence.
Audience feedback consistenly highlighted the event’s atmosphere, visual identity and elevated production level. Designers also expressed strong appreciation for the platform.
WHAT I WOULD IMPROVE
Rehearsals & designer readiness
Stronger rehearsal plan, clearer time slots, earler lock of show order
Earlier technical alignment
Written briefs and earlier validation with technical stakeholders
Accountability system
Clearer ownership per deliverable with weekly checkpints to recude last-minutre pressure
CREDITS
Creative Direction & Production Lead (President, EHL Arts Committee)
LEANDRO DOBRINOV
Vice President (EHL Arts Committee)
FLORIAN JOUVIN
Head of Events (EHL Arts Committee)
TOBIA MOTIS
Head of Logistics (EHL Arts Committee)
LAURA ARAYA LOPEZ
Head of Artist Coordination (EHL Arts Committee)
PÉNÉLOPE BURGAT
Head of Sponsorships (EHL Arts Committee)
MAXIME BLEEKER
Head of Marketing & Communication (EHL Arts Committee)
SAMI OULDAMMAR
Head of Finance (EHL Arts Committee)
Pedro FONTINHA
Assistants EHL Arts Committee
JAN AFFOLTER, VALENTINE BERTHOUMIEUX , AMÉLIE BRODBECK, SALOMÉ HALFON, LOUISE MUTTI,
MARIA BLAGODATSKIKH, ANDREA FREI, MATHILDE MULLANE, MATTIA SOLAK, LUCA STETTLER
Lighting supplier
ILLUMINATION
BACKSTAGE
MAKE-UP
LOUANE GACHET
PHOTOGRAPHY / VIDEO
Head of Events
Backstage: Hair & Make-up Team