It’s 6:30 p.m. and the “Hot Bitch in Charge” is getting her make-up done.
She is pretty calm despite the fact that Gainesville Fashion Week’s first runway show is scheduled to begin in 30 minutes.
As the producer for GFW, Gwen Rahn describes the entire process as a complete organized chaos.
“That’s what I call my bedroom,” comments her Sephora make-up artist, Chelsea.
Gwen is one of three producers, and as a UF journalism senior, she is the youngest. When asked to describe her position, she said, “I just kind of make it all come together.”
I quickly learned that “kind of” was an understatement.
6:35 p.m.
If Gwen were stranded on an island and could bring one thing with her, it’d be mascara.
6:45 p.m.
At the lip gloss station, Gwen asks for mascara.
7:00 p.m.
GFW is fashionably late, of course, and the show doesn’t begin.
7:10 p.m.
“Don’t make fun of me, but I’m going to go put on more mascara.”
7:30 p.m.
After performing a sound check, kicking a photographer off the pristine white runway and doing a little nervous dance, Gwen goes on stage with co-producer Tiffany Williams to introduce the show.
7:33 p.m.
I lose Gwen. One minute she’s standing next to me, the next minute she’s sprinting into another part of Villa East on a mission. And she’s doing it in some really sexy heels.
7:40 p.m.
I start to panic because I have her cell phone and walkie talkie. I make several circles around the venue, but she’s probably moving a lot faster than I am. Or maybe she’s applying more mascara.
7:45 p.m.
I find Gwen backstage somehow keeping everything under control. With frantic models running back and forth half-naked, stressed designers and hurried dressers, I wonder how she keeps her cool. But then again, she is a seasoned veteran.
8:12 p.m.
I catch Gwen eating a slice of pizza in the back.
“This is the first thing I’ve eaten all day,” she says guiltily.
8:22 p.m.
Her feet are killing her. I don’t blame her. She’s darting from place to place so fast, that sometimes I only catch a glimpse of her blonde hair before she’s gone. She’s communicating with everyone on the team: co-producers, interns, models, designers, volunteers, etc. She’s solving problems, settling disputes and taking charge of any and all situations that require her attention. She told me that putting on an event like this has an “absurd intricacy,” and I’m beginning to see her point.
8:45 p.m.
She finally gets to sit down. But a mere two minutes later, Gwen’s up and moving again. I wonder what mission this fashionable superwoman is on this time.
Unknown Time
I get distracted by the Zella Machado Swimwear show. That could be a story all in itself.
10:20 p.m.
I ask what intern Julian Andrew thinks about Gwen. She’s a leader. She’s fantastic. And she knows how to command a large group of people.
“She does her best and her best is absolutely amazing,” he gushed. “She’s going to go far, and this is just the beginning for her.”
After an extremely successful runway show, Gwen walks back on stage with her co-producers to thank the audience and GFW team.
She finally gets to change into her flats and relax — until tomorrow.