There were several positions available with vague titles such as 'backstage', 'on-site assistant', and 'fashion environment'. My friend and I concluded that we wanted something mirroring Anne Hathaway's role in the film 'The Devil Wears Prada'. We were excited to be yelled at to fetch coffee, bossed around by event coordinators, and requested to console dramatic stylists during backstage meltdowns. We also wanted to be able to see the shows as well. We figured 'on-site assistant' was the catch-all role. We submitted our application and resume on Sep. 15th and prayed nightly that we would make the cut. Our prayers were answered and we got an email back instructing us to attend the Oct. 5th Monday evening volunteer kick-off meeting.
On Monday evening, we waited in a long line amongst over fifty or so young 20-year-old trendy fashion students from George Brown and Ryerson. We seemed old and fuddy-duddy in our office attire. Eventually we came up to a table where we submitted our Volunteer Waiver form and confirmed our roles. Yes, on-site assistants we were.
The coordinators herded us into a giant warehouse like room - what would become the runway during fashion week - and talked to us for 30 minutes. We would get white volunteer tshirts, we would have to wear black, no food would be provided, don't bring valuables...etc. Both Claudia and I were still in the dark about what 'on-site assistant' really meant.
Just over a week and we'll soon find out!
