The Devil Wears Torontostreetfashion.com Fashion Assistant Challenge

Torontostreetfashion.com put out the call and students from Toronto's fashion colleges applied to be Ms. Sonja Andic's fashion assistant during fashion week. Entrants didn't know exactly what the position entailed, but were willing to carry bags, take notes and run errands for the chance to insider schmooze and experience fashion week...

Winner Melissa Kavalench, 3rd year Ryerson fashion communication student understands the Toronto street fashion sensibility. She's funny, self-effacing and proactive! Here's her view:

DAY 2: Courage and Jeanne!
by Melissa Kavalench

March 15, 2007

To congratulate myself on getting through one day relatively unscathed, I have decided to buy myself a new shirt from H&M. It’s brown, gold, sheer and sparkly - so much fun! I trust that H&M wouldn’t sell me something that wasn’t trendy enough for Fashion Week. I think I’ll avoid any crunchy hair disasters today by keeping it simple and straight. Is it just me or is the second day outfit planning way easier than the first? Oh Crap, I’m running late.

Je suis arrive (something about this week makes me want to speak bad french). I’m feeling good. I just got the call from Sonja that she is running a little bit behind so I’ll just pop to the bar for a quick beverage. Hmmm 5 o’clock...probably too early for that wine I’ve been eyeing up. “What can I get for you?” don’t say wine...don’t say wine... “I’ll just have a diet coke.” So proud of myself. I grab a seat on the side to engage in my favorite trend of people watching. I am always amazed at some people's ability to look effortlessly fashionable. Oh speaking of which, Sonja just walked in. Game face on!

I’ve just walked in to my first fashion show ever for Fashion Psychology. We sit down in the Elle Germany seats and I’ve never felt more dangerous or fabulous. They don’t show up so I use my great vantage point to scan the rows for Jeanne Beker! Oh Jeanne where art thou? I’ve loved her (platonically) since I was like 10! No Jeanne, but the show is amazing. And by amazing I mean a giddy blur. I take the gift bag that was so nicely placed on the seat for those German folks (thanks guys!). This free stuff is easily my favorite part of fashion week.

So the place to be after the shows is the media room. Yesterday the guard guy just let me waltz in (with some schmoozing from Sonja) but today, apparently, he’s not having it. Sonja turns around and tells me to go to the front desk and get myself a media pass. This is it. This is my big test. I have to do this. On the whole walk over I’m thinking of exactly what to say to convince them, all the while trying to remember to look confident. I get there and words just start coming out of my mouth. “Assistant to Sonja Andic...needs my help in the media room...imperative that I am able to get there to do my job...” “Okay” she says. One point Melissa, mean guard, NOTHING! I feel so empowered. Maybe I’m finally getting rid of the awkward girl inside of me. Maybe this is the beginning of a whole new confident Melissa? Nice.

Photos Pat McDonagh collection | Fashion Television's Jeanne Beker

My second fashion show is for Pat McDonagh. Ya ya sure...clothes...has no one else noticed that Jeanne Beker is sitting across from the catwalk from me?? No one? Like for real. She is just as I imagined her to be. She’s dressed in black from head to toe with a fur collared jacket and I realize that now I can die happy.

So I’ve just got home from a great day at fashion week and I start to undress. As I pull my sheer blouse over my head I see a flash of white just below the collar...can you even guess what it is? Yep, it’s the tag. In my rush to leave I obviously forgot to cut it off. Thank you God for making sure that the shirt was sheer so that even though the tag was tucked into the back of it, everyone could still see it. Thanks a bunch. Welcome back awkward girl...

>> go to DAY 3: Global Warming Diversion, SD+R and Lessons Learned

>> back to DAY 1: Wardrobe Woes