What you need for a fashion show

A fashion show needs more than a runway and a few chairs. You need a clear path for models, enough racks and mirrors backstage, reliable sound and lighting, and a way to keep garments pressed between looks. This shopping list covers the practical equipment and furniture for the audience area, reception, dressing rooms and technical setup. Use your guest count, model count and collection changes to set the final quantities.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Runway panelsqty 12
Audience chairsqty 110
Reception tablesqty 2
Buffet tablesqty 4
Stoolsqty 12
Coat racksqty 4
Clothes racksqty 10
Dressing room tablesqty 6
Makeup tablesqty 6
Folding screensqty 8
Mirrorsqty 8
Waste binsqty 8

Equipment

Laptopsqty 2
Tabletsqty 2
Cameraqty 2
Clothes steamersqty 3
Ironsqty 2
Ironing boardsqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 3
Speakersqty 4
Mixer
Laptop standsqty 2
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 12
Cable traysqty 10

Lighting

Spotlightsqty 8
LED panelsqty 6
Mood lightingqty 8
Light standsqty 6

Decorations

Back wall panelsqty 4
Fabric backdropsqty 3
Flower arrangementsqty 8
Table runnersqty 6
Entrance sign
Program postersqty 6
Directional signsqty 8
Name badgesqty 130
Table numbersqty 12

Tableware

Wine glassesqty 130
Water glassesqty 130
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 160
Dessert platesqty 130
Forksqty 160
Knivesqty 160
Spoonsqty 130
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving spoonsqty 12
Serving tongsqty 10

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Ice cube traysqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Small bowlsqty 24
Tableclothsqty 8
Bottle openersqty 6
Corkscrewsqty 4
Coolersqty 6

Cleaning

Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom setsqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Microfiber clothsqty 20
Toilet brushesqty 3
Hand soap dispensersqty 4
Hand sanitizer pumpsqty 6

Safety

Cable matsqty 12
Bollardsqty 12
First aid kitsqty 2
Flashlightsqty 4
Fire extinguishersqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Sparkling water - 60 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Tonic - 8 bottles
- Ginger beer - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Beer - 120 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- White wine - 18 bottles
- Red wine - 10 bottles
- Rosé - 10 bottles
- Prosecco - 12 bottles
- Coffee - 6 packs
- Decaffeinated coffee - 2 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 2 boxes
- Green tea - 1 box
- Hot chocolate - 2 packs
- Milk - 12 liters
- Oat milk - 8 liters
- Sugar - 3 packs
- Sweeteners - 2 boxes
- Lemons - 5 kilo
- Coins - 8 bunches
- Cucumbers - 4 kilos
- Cherry tomatoes - 5 kilo
- Grapes - 6 kilos
- Strawberries - 5 kilo
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Pears - 5 kilo
- Bananas - 5 kilo
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 8 bags
- Salted sticks - 6 bags
- Mixed nuts - 5 kilo
- Olives - 4 jars
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Cream cheese - 10 tubs
- Guacamole - 8 tubs
- Salsa - 8 jars
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Pesto - 4 jars
- Balsamic vinegar - 2 bottles
- Baguettes - 20 pieces
- Mini rolls - 180 pieces
- Wraps - 100 pieces
- Toast - 12 packs
- Crackers - 10 packs
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Young cheese - 5 kilos
- Brie - 3 kilo
- Goat cheese - 2 kilos
- Herb cream cheese - 2 kilos
- Smoked salmon - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 3 kilos
- Hummus wraps - 60 pieces
- Chicken wraps - 60 pieces
- Vegetable wraps - 60 pieces
- Mini quiches - 120 pieces
- Falafel balls - 120 pieces
- Filled puff pastry snacks - 120 pieces
- Mini tomato and mozzarella skewers - 100 pieces
- Mini brownies - 100 pieces
- Mini muffins - 100 pieces
- Macarons - 100 pieces
- Lemon cake - 4 pieces
- Diet cookies - 6 packs
- Gluten-free crackers - 6 packs
- Vegan toppings - 12 packages
- Gluten-free sandwich rolls - 30 pieces
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dishwasher tablets - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Plastic wrap - 4 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Baking paper - 3 rolls
- Cocktail picks - 500 pieces
- Straws - 250 pieces
- Ice cubes - 30 kilo

Tips

Allow one audience chair per registered guest, plus 5–10% extra for late arrivals, press and designers. Set aside a separate reception table and enough buffet tables for the planned catering service.
Plan one clothes rack for each collection or dressing area, then add at least one spare rack for garments waiting to go on. Keep coat racks separate so outerwear does not mix with show pieces.
Provide one full-length mirror for every dressing area and one makeup table for each makeup station. Two to three stools per table usually gives stylists enough space without blocking the room.
Place a clothes steamer and ironing board near backstage garment traffic, with one iron available as a backup. Test every extension cord, power strip and cable tray before models arrive, not during the first changeover.
Use enough spotlights to cover the full runway rather than only its centre, and check that speakers, microphones and the mixer work together at least 2 hours before doors open. Keep cable trays and power strips out of walking routes.

Frequently asked questions

How many chairs do I need for a fashion show?: Start with one chair per confirmed guest, then add 5–10% extra. For 100 registered guests, prepare 105–110 chairs so press, designers and late arrivals can be seated.
How many clothes racks are needed for a fashion show?: Use at least one rack per collection or dressing area, plus one spare rack. If four collections share one backstage area, prepare five racks and label them before setup.
What backstage equipment do I need for a fashion show?: Plan for clothes racks, full-length mirrors, makeup tables, stools, folding screens, steamers, an iron and an ironing board. Have these ready at least 2 hours before the first model changes, with a separate area for finished looks.
When should I test the lighting and sound for a fashion show?: Complete the technical test at least 2 hours before guests arrive, then run through the full walking order and music cues once. Test wireless microphones, speakers, the mixer, spotlights, LED panels and all power connections together.

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