Welcome to
Fashion Week San Diego
Fashion Week San Diego (FWSD) is one of Southern California's most exciting fashion events — and you are now part of the runway.
This training walks you through everything you need to know before your first show: season commitments, pre-show preparation, professional conduct, styling protocols, event-day rules, and how to represent FWSD with excellence.
Please read every module carefully. At the end, you will complete a knowledge check and sign a model agreement confirming you have read and understood all policies.
This training is provided to you personally as an official FWSD model. Please also treat all FWSD materials, communications, and unreleased designer work as confidential.
This protection extends beyond this document: you may not take, use, or repurpose any FWSD intellectual property from within the organization — including materials, branding, designs, content, or contact lists — for personal or outside use. Additionally, soliciting models, staff, designers, or guests for outside ventures at or during FWSD events is strictly prohibited.
Violation of this notice may result in removal from the model program and potential legal action.
💡 Tip: Use the menu (top left) to navigate between modules at any time. Your progress is tracked automatically.
Your Season
Commitments
Every FWSD season follows the same rhythm of required commitments, described below. Specific dates, times, and locations are announced by email each season — watch your inbox. These are required commitments. If you are no longer able to commit, now is the time to let us know.
All other models: Training takes place on show day, plus a quick walk check at your fitting.
Come whenever your schedule permits during the announced drop-in window. Plan to be there for at least 1 hour. Please also stay and support your fellow models.
⚠️ If you do not show up for the fitting, we will assume this is not a priority and will have to drop you as a model due to timelines.
Show day — Designer Runway Shows. This will be an entire day commitment (editorial shoots, high-fashion runway coaching, and the live show). Required for all models.
The following day — Optional, but this is when we give out our Top Model Awards and host an impromptu fashion shoot with photographers on property.
The day before the shows — We may need a select group of models (men and women) on hold.
Your designer will receive your contact details, measurements, and headshot. If you do not hear from your designer before the fitting, that is completely fine — they will not need to contact you beforehand.
If an emergency arises and you cannot do the runway show — DO NOT contact the designer. Email Lisa or Gwen directly:
📧 fwsdintern@gmail.com
📧 Model@FashionWeekSD.com
📧 Gwen@FashionWeekSD.com
FWSD will find a replacement and notify the designer on your behalf.
Pre-Show
Preparation
Arriving prepared is part of your professional responsibility as an FWSD model. Please review everything below carefully before each event.
🩺 Please let us know in advance if you have any of the following:
• A scalp condition — so our hair stylists can work safely and effectively with you.
• A skin condition — so our makeup artists can accommodate your needs and use appropriate products.
- Clean, dry hair — come with your hair freshly washed and fully dried.
- Clean, bare face — arrive with a completely clean, dry face. No makeup applied beforehand.
- Clean nails — nails should be neat, clean, and free of chipped polish.
- Lint roller, safety pins & double-sided tape — the trio that saves every look.
- Hair tie and basic touch-up skincare.
- Basic first aid — band-aids and blister care for long hours in heels.
- A robe (recommended) — for privacy and ease when fitting in and out of garments backstage.
- Water and energy snacks — keep your energy up all day.
💧 Reminder: Always bring extra water and snacks to maintain your energy throughout the event. FWSD provides food at select events — if you have dietary restrictions or allergies, bring your own food to be safe.
Hair &
Makeup Rules
Our hair and makeup team works hard to ensure every model represents beauty industry vision and creativity. These rules exist to protect the creative work of our styling professionals.
💄 The Beauty Team Leads: Our beauty team dictates all hair and makeup looks — designers do not control beauty styling unless stated otherwise. Trust the vision.
- Do not remove your makeup — once applied, it must remain intact for the duration of the event.
- Do not restyle your hair — do not brush out, re-curl, re-straighten, or alter your hair in any way once it has been set by our team.
- Do not photograph your hair or makeup and send it to the designer on event day — the beauty team owns the look, and designers should stay focused on the show.
💇 If you would like to use a wig or weave, it must arrive completely clean and prepped so our stylists can work with it. And remember to report any scalp or skin sensitivities to leadership prior to call time.
🎨 Why This Matters: Our hair and makeup stylists will not receive portfolio credits for FWSD if their work is altered or removed. Many of these professionals are from established salons and have cleared paying client appointments and are exclusively working our event. Once you restyle the hair or touch up the makeup on your own, it is no longer their work — and their contribution goes unrecognized.
⚠️ Important: If you prefer not to have your hair and makeup done by our styling team, our official runway and spring showcase events may not be the right fit at this time.
Events that do not require FWSD hair & makeup styling — but do allow models to style their own hair and makeup — include:
• The Shot
• Art Walk
Wardrobe &
Garment Care
Every garment you wear is a designer's work — often one-of-a-kind, hand-finished, and irreplaceable. Treat every outfit as an expensive piece of art, because that is exactly what it is.
- Never eat or drink while wearing designer garments. The only exception is water through a straw.
- Do not sit down in delicate, tailored, or structured clothing without permission from the stylist.
- Never throw garments around or on the ground. Every piece is handled with care, always.
- Let our dressers help you in and out of your garments — this prevents rips and keeps every item of the look together.
💍 No Jewelry on Event Day: Please do not wear your own jewelry to the event — this prevents personal items from being lost backstage during quick changes.
Conduct &
Respect
As a model at FWSD you represent yourself, the designers, and our entire organization. How you carry yourself off the runway matters just as much as how you walk on it.
- Treat every person at this event — models, staff, stylists, photographers, designers, and guests — the way you want to be treated.
- Harassment, bullying, or disrespectful behavior of any kind will not be tolerated and may result in immediate removal from the event.
- Maintain professionalism at all times, including in the back of house.
- Practice your runway walk before the event. It will be noticeable on runway night to attendees, photographers, and clients if you have not honed in on a professional walk or practiced the craft of runway walking and posing.
📸 Walk Practice: FWSD features photographers from across California shooting the runway. A polished, confident walk reflects your professionalism and theirs. Come prepared — there are no second takes on the runway. We always encourage models to practice in the off season and attend a class or two with AMA if you want to be fully prepared. FWSD models receive discounted training rates through the American Modeling Academy (AMA) in San Diego and Los Angeles — just reference FWSD.
If at any point you feel unsafe or believe you are being treated unfairly by any staff member or participant, report it immediately.
Step 1 — Find any team member wearing a black FWSD shirt and report your concern. They will escalate it to a leader immediately.
Step 2 — If you cannot reach a team member, contact the Executive Director directly:
Gwen Bates — Executive Director, FWSD
Gwen@FashionWeekSD.com
Models on our platform operate as free agents — FWSD is not a talent agency and does not represent you directly. While we partner with external brands, media, and third-party organizations, those individuals are not part of our internal operations.
We work with vetted, in-house photographers, but you may also be approached by independent media or outside photographers. If someone claims to work with or represent FWSD, do your own due diligence — always verify the identity and credentials of anyone who solicits you in our name before collaborating.
Alcohol &
Substance Policy
FWSD maintains a zero-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol during all official events. This protects you, your fellow models, our team, and the professionalism of the entire show.
🚫 Zero Tolerance — No Exceptions:
• Do NOT use drugs before our event.
• Do NOT use drugs at our event.
• No alcohol is permitted in the back of house at any time.
Violation of this policy will result in immediate removal from the event.
🎉 After the Show: You are absolutely welcome to enjoy recreational activities and drinks after the event has fully concluded. We love celebrating our team — just keep it off the clock and out of the venue.
Venue &
Event Rules
These protocols keep the event running smoothly and ensure every model, designer, stylist, and crew member can do their best work without disruption.
- Notify staff before leaving. If you need to leave the facility for any reason, notify a team leader wearing an FWSD shirt and wait for their confirmation before you go.
- Do not leave without notifying staff — your slot on the schedule depends on you being present and ready.
If there are eateries nearby and you would like to grab food, you must first confirm with a team leader. You are expected to bring food back to the venue to eat — do not eat at the restaurant.
FWSD provides food at select events. If you have food allergies, dietary restrictions, or special nutritional needs, please bring your own food and snacks. Always bring extra water and snacks to maintain your energy.
The back of house is a professional, private workspace. The following are NOT permitted:
- Parents • Friends • Significant others
- Personal photographers • Any other guests or outside parties
This policy protects the privacy and focus of all models and crew.
- No outside photographers backstage. Back-of-house photos are strictly limited to personal selfies.
- No behind-the-scenes or full-look posts before the runway. Many campaigns require complete confidentiality until the garment is released.
- Post away after the show! Once the event is over, you are welcome to share your full look — and we would love for you to tag us.
- No cell phones on the runway — store your phone safely in the back of house before your call time.
- Practice your walk before the event. Photographers, attendees, and clients will notice if you have not honed in on a professional runway walk and posing technique.
Knowledge
Check
Answer all questions correctly to unlock the next module. These cover the key rules every FWSD model must know by heart.
Events &
Opportunities
As an FWSD model, you have the option to participate in a variety of events throughout the year — great opportunities to expand your network, gain experience, and build your portfolio. Dates and details are announced through model calls as each event approaches; if you are available, we would love to have you!
Important: If you choose to accept an event, we will not accept no-shows or same-day cancellations. A one-time emergency cancellation exception applies.
1. Watch your inbox — model calls are sent by email as each event approaches, with dates, times, locations, and requirements.
2. Reply to accept — if you're available and meet the call's requirements, respond to claim your spot. Spots are limited and move quickly.
3. Show up prepared — review the event's styling requirements (FWSD styled, self-styled, or photo-ready) and arrive with your model kit, ready to work.
Please whitelist the following addresses — we have multiple interns and staff using these for the fall season and emails may go to spam, junk, or trash:
FWSDintern@gmail.com
Model@FashionWeekSD.com
Please continue to promote yourself! Tag us in a story on Instagram as a casted returning model — we would love to share it.
Model
Agreement
You have made it to the final step! Please acknowledge each policy statement below, then complete your registration so FWSD has your training on file.
☝️ Please check all boxes above to unlock the final step.
Your information has been submitted. We are so proud to have you as part of the FWSD family. See you under the lights! 🎉