Frequently Asked Questions

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Every potential team member must audition. Classes and auditions are hosted once a year in January.

In the past this was not required, due to potential liability, classes are now required. The looks and techniques in classes will ensure the best outcome during auditions and ensuring how to create looks while preventing potential liability to the team during the high stress environment. Classes will also be provided a certification and learned skills for my runway team or any other runway team.

Fees are waived for class attendees. There are costs associated for space, time, supplies etc when providing the opportunity for potential team members to audition. Fees are determined per season to offset those costs. This also deters those that are not serious from applying and wasting our time.

Auditioning only is not available at this time.

NO! An official NYFW backstage hair team or runway WILL NEVER ASK YOU TO PAY TO WORK. It's common for many backstage workers to be volunteers and often the case but NYFW does not allow charging backstage people to work. Many of you have shared these stories with me and it's heartbreaking that there are people out there exploiting our passion!  

It can be a collaboration with designers but ultimately I select the looks every season and refer to them as the Hair Collectives.

It can really be anything, there is a foundation to many of the styles that I will be looking for during the audition. And therefore teaching those during the classes.

No, auditions will reflect the most realistic experience backstage. Many times things change and or designers do not allow for any styling looks to be shared prior to the day of show. The objective of the auditions are to determine skill, speed and execution of looks under pressure. 

Yes its very difficult in that fast paced environment for me to adequately see everyone's skill and is why the auditions are being held.

NO. Classes and auditioning is not necessary every season. Once accepted on the team, team members will be invited back for future seasons. Further classes and or auditions will only be necessary when advancing into a different role on the team. 

Yes! The team is backstage in New York, London, Milan, Paris, Tokyo and Vancouver . Many of the different location opportunities are shared to most team members by invitation.

Yes, you can send friend the FW info email and or have them email me directly or DM and follow me @OdeteDasilvaHair. I post the latest info on my social platforms. They must follow me to ensure I see their messages. 

Yes, if you have not already, email me artistexsalon@gmail.com to be placed on the waitlist. The waitlisted will be the first I contact to fill open spots.

The location is currently in the Meatpacking/Highline area West Side of Manhattan.

Yes, annually in January.

As of now all classes and auditions will be hosted in New York City, USA. Stay tuned for updates on Europe based classes in future.

I will be hosting classes and auditions annually in January. Once the team is full, I will suspend classes and auditions until a spot is available. 

Once completing classes/auditions and joining the NYFW team, team members will be invited each season via email to join the Fashion Weeks or other events if needed in New York, London, Milan, Paris, Tokyo, Vancouver and various other country locations as needed.

It is common for many backstage workers to be volunteers and often the case during fashion weeks but on my team, I try to compensate everyone with generous sponsorship gifts (usual value 100 - 400). Any session work or assisting opportunities are paid. I will always make note of paid opportunities while hiring or you can ask me.

Fashion Week is global and in some genre or another is happening mostly all year. The two most recognized seasons start in mid February and again in mid September. Each season starts in New York and continues in sequence through London, Milan, Paris, LA/Dubai/Portugal, Tokyo, Vancouver.

Official NYFW runways and designers are recognized on the NYFW Calendar and or CFDA. All of my work backstage are official NYFW recognized runways, designers, production companies and or studios. I do not work with marketing companies that host unofficial runways and charge backstage workers to participate.

No. The choice is always yours to join in multiple cities but it is expected that you are participating at the Fashion Week city of your assigned team. Ex: NYFW

Every season I will send an invite to the team members offering the available spots on that team in the global cities. There is no guarantee there will be an invite but if so, that team member can then choose to participate in the additional city or cities mentioned.

All class registrations are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, your spot may be transferred to a future class within one year of the original class date, provided you give a minimum of 72hours notice.

Class registration is transferrable to another person, please give at least 24hours notice.

Partial attendance is not eligible for a refund, partial or future class transfer. If you are unable to attend the full class time, that portion of class is forfeited.

Auditions can be scheduled during the available times after class week or up to 18 months from the date of class attendance, if there is availability (availability is not guaranteed). This flexibility ensures you have ample time to practice and perfect your skills.