Meet Kerry Bannigan, Co-Founder of Nolcha Shows

Organizing a Fashion Week involves many different fashion experts who excel in each of their disciplines, from director to designer. Those interested in working in the fashion industry can meet professionals right here on FashionWeekWeb and learn more about the Fashion Week business. FashionUnited looks behind the catwalk to introduce those who bring great fashion events to life around the globe. We recently chatted with Kerry to learn more about her role as Co-Founder of Nolcha Shows.

Kerry can you tell us a little bit about the Nolcha Shows?

Established in 2007, the Nolcha Shows are a leading award winning event, held during New York Fashion Week, for independent fashion designers to showcase their collections to a global audience of press, retailers, stylists and industry influencers. Over the past ten years the Nolcha Shows have become established as a platform of discovery; promoting cutting edge innovative fashion designers through runway shows and exhibitions.

The Nolcha Shows have built an acclaimed reputation as a hot incubator of new fashion design talent and are officially listed by New York City Economic Development Corporation; offering a range of cost effective options to increase independent fashion designers recognition and develop their business. The successful showcase consistently receives positive media.

Over the duration of the week, the Nolcha Shows welcomes 2,100+ industry only guests to a series of runway shows, networking events and exhibitions. coverage

Please tell us about your role at Nolcha Shows?

I oversee the whole event with my partner and we work with our team department executives to handle specific roles. My days can range from collection previews to venue views to mood board sessions for hair and makeup selections. We work on the guest lists and media attendance several months prior to the show with constant attention on this for seating charts and on-site interview appointments. I work closely with my team and our designer client’s creative team to align with the final collection needs and showcase vision.

Meetings range from video calls with international clients to showroom or factory visits. Event production meetings include a lot of moving pieces from AV and lighting teams, public relations and model agencies.

What do you like most about your work?

I enjoy many aspects of the fashion production but the most gratifying for me is seeing the designers collection ideas/sketches come to life on the runway. It is a long and in-depth process to get from concept to creation with so many people working together to support the launch.

What is your professional background? Why did you create the Nolcha Shows?

I have a background in marketing and communications. My partner has a background in legal combined with events. Our collaboration allowed our strengths to combine whilst complimenting any weaknesses. We created the Nolcha Shows as a platform to provide cost effective runway options during New York Fashion Week. Our business model welcomes world class product brands to sponsor the shows and in this partnership support the majority of the costs for the independent fashion designers. The Nolcha Shows turnkey solution assists the fashion designer to focus on the creative element of their brand whilst our team provides support with marketing, media, industry guest connections, models and the full event production.

Did you always want to produce fashion events?

I envisioned a hub during New York Fashion Week for independent and emerging designers to showcase. We have built it to be the award winning leading event it is today.

What is your advice for those who want to pursue a career in fashion?

Network, gain work experience and learn learn learn. The more knowledge you gain the easier you will navigate what you want to pursue. Fashion has many aspects to it which can be overwhelming at first but it provides the advantage of being able to find a role that suits your talents.

Many thanks for your time!

Images:
Kerry Bannigan
Kerry Bannigan with Amanda Munz, Founder of Fashion Foundation.

Read more about Nolcha Shows here.