Fashion Events Intern 3/3

Since my last update, my understanding of how events function as both professional gatherings and social spaces has continued. As I have now completed the data collection for my report, I have had the opportunity to reflect more systematically on the two events I observed during my internship. It has become more clear that interaction unfolds differently based on the structure and atmosphere of an event. In the previous blogpost, I shared two different events that I participated in, both in terms of planning and in execution. For my report, I decided on focusing on the observations from these two events, since different context provide different outcomes in terms of the relational aspects i´m focusing on, together with two conducted interviews from individuals in the fashion industry.

From these observations, I have become more aware of how participation is not only shaped by event design, but also by social dynamics. For example, confidence, familiarity, and existing networks seemed to influence how easily people moved between conversations and groups. This made me reflect on how networking emerges through everyday interaction and presence in the space, and not only by the attendance on one event. 

Working at a members’ club has also given me insight into the role of curation in shaping these environments. Small decisions regarding for example the guest lists, timings and format also changes the interactions that take place. My experience and observations has shown that outcomes in terms of networking and community building, is not always guaranteed, since it depends on how participants navigates the spaces and the social contexts. 

Overall, this internship has strengthened my interest in how fashion and creative industry events function as more than just planned experiences. Events are environments where aspects such as visibility, interaction and a sense of belonging are negotiated. This has been central in my practical work and in my report as well. 

As I now conclude this part of the journey, I find myself particularly interested in continuing to explore how these intangible factors shape access and opportunity within creative industries.