What was Olivia Sims’ Role in The Circular Fashion Exposition as Director of Art & Design? (Overview)

Primary Focus: Graphic design, PR, branding, all advertising-related deliverables & responsibilities leading up to the event. Sims worked on designing for the CFE.3 rebrand and for visually representing the event itself throughout the entire Spring 2023 semester - while balancing her director position for The Fashion Network and being a full-time student, leading up to the event itself, adding up to approximately three months of consistent preparation. Sims, alongside the creative team for CFE.3, took part in formulating, executing, and creating the runway theme of this semester’s expo - Danse Macabre, An Allegory on Horror. The theme was discussed among creative team members, then further elaborated and drawn out (in terms of details) between Sims and the Creative Director of Styling to form mood boards to be used while styling TFN runway models. Moodboards of the overall runway theme were pieced together by Sims, and organized/sent to other runway designers/agencies taking part in the CFE runway show so they are made aware of the theme. A new logo was designed and executed, alongside associated elements. The CFE.3 Instagram was entirely wiped and a new black & white theme was implemented following new templates and an overall unified design including typeface choices, layouts, etc. Sims designed each Instagram post following the new branding developed and was responsible for communicating all information about the event with Instagram followers by designing content and writing copy that properly addressed what had to be communicated. Sims was the director primarily responsible for managing the Instagram presence. Sims designed all banners, posters, and advertising deliverables for the event. The posters she designed were distributed across campus while the large banners she designed were presented around the CFE.3 venue, The Siebel Center for Design, the day of the event. Sims also designed a physical program that presented the full-day itinerary and credited all those who made the event possible including performers, supporters, organizations models, directors, photographers, designers, etc. Hundreds of these programs were printed, folded, and dispersed to CFE attendees while the event took place. She also assisted with the development of the TFN runway soundtrack by suggesting music that was utilized within the final draft (executed by the set director) to properly embody the TFN runway segment. Sims also assisted in directing The Fashion Network’s portion of the runway segment, where she stood alongside runway director Kailey Sedlacek in assisting in directing models and ensuring the flow of the runway was executed according to plan. Sims had to attend all runway rehearsals in preparation for the show. On show day, she performed her director role for the TFN runway show by directing the group of models she was assigned to direct. In addition to her director responsibilities, Sims styled herself and walked the runway alongside CFE.3 X TFN directors during the executive board member runway walk.

Sims alongside other executive members and TFN models also walked the UIUC Main Quad as if it were a runway as an advertising/promotional public stunt a week prior to the event. The Pop-Up Runway grabbed the attention of the public and was covered by The Daily Illini, student newspaper. 

Brief Overview of Responsibilities/Accomplishments from CFE.3/SP23 Season:

-Designer of the new/updated CFE rebranding implemented this SP23 season - ensuring a unified sense of design was achieved across platforms and advertising deliverables/content
-Designer of the new logo first implemented this SP23 semester
-Poster, banner, program, form, advertising deliverables designer
-Manage the CFE UIUC Instagram presence: responsible for designing and posting feed, story, and reel content, announcements, and information pertaining to the event in a scheduled manner
-Assistant director of TFN's runway portion of the show. Directing models, ensuring the accurate flow of the runway is achieved on show day. Attended runway rehearsals to assist in direction. Managing/Organizing/Floating Responsibilities on the day of the exposition.
-Assisted in the development, creation, and execution of the overall CFE.3 runway theme / designed mood boards and deliverables to inform other participating agencies/organizations of the theme.

The Circular Fashion Exposition UIUC Main Quad Pop-Up Runway - Advertising/Promotional Public Stunt

Sims, alongside other executive members and TFN models, walked the UIUC Main Quad as if it were a runway as an advertising/promotional public stunt a week prior to the event. The Pop-Up Runway grabbed the attention of the public and was covered by The Daily Illini, student newspaper.