Welcome to
Fashion Week San Diego
Fashion Week San Diego (FWSD) is one of Southern California's most exciting fashion events — and you're now part of the team.
This training will walk you through everything you need to know before your first shift: from what FWSD offers you as a volunteer, to your specific role on event day.
By the end of this training you will be ready to represent FWSD with confidence, professionalism, and enthusiasm. Let's get started!
💡 Tip: Use the menu (top left) to navigate between modules at any time. Your progress is tracked automatically.
What FWSD
Offers You
Volunteering with FWSD is more than giving your time — it's an investment in yourself and your future.
🌟 Remember: Every hour you volunteer is tracked. Sign in AND sign out at every shift to receive credit for milestone achievements!
What We
Expect of You
As a representative of FWSD, you are the face of our organization. Guests, designers, and the public will judge the entire event by their interactions with you.
- Attend all required training for your assignment
- Follow all FWSD procedures at all times
- Maintain your agreed-upon volunteer schedule
- Dress appropriately — neat, clean, and professional
- Wear your FWSD black tee-shirt while on duty
- Represent FWSD with enthusiasm and positivity
🚫 Standards for Behavior: Loud displays, negative emotional outbursts, or any disrespectful conduct are not appropriate at FWSD events. We have high expectations — and we're committed to supporting your growth.
The preferred communication with our volunteers is via email. Expect to receive monthly correspondence from FWSD — check your email regularly including your spam folder. If you change your email account, notify us immediately at info@fashionweeksd.com.
We count on you to be present for every shift you agreed upon. If you are absent, the role you were counted on to fill must be covered by someone else at the last minute. We ask that you thoughtfully check your schedule before agreeing to a volunteer opportunity. We understand last-minute cancellations sometimes happen — but they impact the whole team.
You may cancel your own shift up to 3 days in advance, allowing time for another volunteer to sign up. If you need to cancel with less than 3 days' notice, you must contact FWSD directly at info@fashionweeksd.com. If you are in a Lead position, please notify us at least 5 days in advance.
FWSD promotes a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. Every volunteer uses discretion to ensure their words and actions communicate respect for others. Harassment based on race, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or gender is not tolerated. All reports are thoroughly investigated.
If you feel uncomfortable about something that happened, report it immediately to Director Gwen Bates at gwen@fashionweeksd.com. We need to know about a problem to address it.
FWSD is committed to a safe and healthy working environment. Safety and prevention of accidents is everyone's responsibility. Unsafe acts — including horseplay with sewing kits, steamers, or any equipment — should never happen. If you are not sure how to do something, STOP and ask a Lead or senior volunteer.
- Exercise maximum care and good judgment at all times to prevent accidents and injuries
- Observe all safety rules and regulations at all times
- Report all injuries to a Lead and seek first aid immediately — first aid kits are in every FWSD bin
- Report any unsafe conditions, equipment, or practices to a Lead right away
Every FWSD volunteer signs a confidentiality agreement. As a volunteer you will see and hear things the public does not — and that trust is part of the job. What happens backstage, stays backstage. Until FWSD releases it publicly, treat the following as confidential:
- Designer lineups, run-of-show, and unreleased collections or garments
- Backstage photos and videos — of models, designers, garments, or fittings
- Guest lists, VIP and sponsor information, and seating assignments
- Internal communications, call sheets, planning documents, and pricing
- Personal information about models, designers, staff, guests, or fellow volunteers
Do not post, text, or share any of the above — including on personal social media — unless a Lead or Director has told you it is approved. When in doubt, ask your Lead before you share.
This training program — including this document, its link, its password, and all FWSD manuals, materials, videos, and communications — is the exclusive property of Fashion Week San Diego. It is provided to you solely for your use as a selected FWSD volunteer.
Reproduction, distribution, copying, screenshotting, or sharing in any form is strictly prohibited. This includes forwarding the training link or password to anyone — even a friend who wants to volunteer. Interested volunteers must apply through the official FWSD volunteer process.
Violation of this notice or the confidentiality policy above may result in immediate removal from the FWSD volunteer program and potential legal action.
In the case of an emergency, refer to the notices posted on the walls and report immediately to a security guard or FWSD core staff. You will receive a floor plan that includes emergency exit locations — first aid kits are in each FWSD bin. Your call sheet will list the main contacts in charge should an emergency occur.
Operations &
Procedures
Understanding FWSD procedures ensures events run smoothly and that every volunteer knows exactly what to do from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave.
📌 Arrival Protocol: When you arrive, immediately proceed to the volunteer room (if one is designated), sign in on the Sign In Sheets, and make contact with the Coordinator or Lead for your area before doing anything else.
📌 Departure Protocol: At the end of your shift, check with the lead in your area to make sure nothing else needs to be handled — then sign out and collect your personal belongings. Do not walk off a shift without completing this step.
Volunteers need to attend their training classes, complete projects, and conduct themselves according to the standards of the program. All volunteer positions require a minimum commitment of at least 1 event.
Each event may be at least 7 hours or more — please get adequate rest and eat healthy beforehand. Come prepared to give your full energy for the entire shift.
Your Role:
FOH & BOH
FWSD events have two main volunteer teams — Front of House (FOH) and Back of House (BOH). Select your role below to explore your specific duties.
🎟️ Front of House volunteers are the first face guests see. Your warmth, professionalism, and organization make FWSD welcoming for everyone.
- Place belongings in the staff office or designated area
- Put on your FWSD tee-shirt
- Get copy of FOH Bin Checklist from the FOH Lead
- Help bring in items/equipment as directed
- Ensure FOH items are placed in correct locations
- Set up Sign-In table: tablecloth(s), pens, guest check-in document, tickets (if any), event handouts, table centerpiece, Kleenex
- Place FOH container with paper towels and extra supplies under the desk — not on top
- Gather all chairs and tables needed for the event space
- Arrange chairs in an orderly manner — number per row depends on the venue layout (confirm with Lead)
- Ensure event space is completely free of clutter and trash before doors open
- Assemble giveaways if informed beforehand
- Assist vendors and sponsors to their booths
- Assist with photography, hair, and makeup setup
- Greet guests at sign-in; give ticket and event literature
- Direct General Guests to their seating area
- Escort VIP guests to assigned seating with special instructions
- Know the location of restrooms and bar
- Keep the event space clean — wipe up spills immediately
- Stay posted where you can see the audience when not with guests
- Help guests exit and re-enter without disrupting the show
- Check in regularly with Gwen and the FOH Lead
- Be a champion for FWSD — show enthusiasm!
- Continue engaging with guests until all have left
- Fold and remove chairs to designated area
- Collect lost-and-found items and place in the container
- Return sign-in sheet, pens, clipboards to the FOH bin
- Put sign-in sheet in the FOH bin; return all office supplies (pens, clipboards) to the FOH bin
- Return centerpiece to its original packaging
- Return extra tickets and event literature to the box they came in
- Fold and return tablecloth(s) to the bin they came in
- If the table belongs to FWSD, take it down and place with items designated for FWSD storage
- Take any items left behind by guests to the lost and found container
- Final sweep: ensure all FOH areas are clean and free of trash
📸 Back of House volunteers are the behind-the-scenes magic makers. You work directly with designers, stylists, and models to ensure every look is flawless.
- Help FOH volunteers unload items brought to venue
- Get copy of BOH Checklist from the BOH Lead
- Get placement assignment from BOH Lead and take roll call
- If models are missing, contact them immediately
- Organize garments on rack by Designer Brand
- Inspect each garment for issues and make necessary alterations
- Assign garments to models based on body shape and size
- Assist any designer at the venue before the show begins
- Ensure garments are free of wrinkles — steam as needed; hem if required
- Coordinate models with hair and makeup
- Create the final lineup for models
- Assist models with dressing and undressing between looks
- Ensure all accessories and outfits are assembled and ready
- Learn how to style models by listening carefully to the designer's direction
- Keep all accessories and clothing organized and together
- One person assigned to keep the room neat and tidy
- Ensure no garments are placed on the floor — ever
- Return all garments to original packaging
- Designer garments left at venue go on rack for Director storage
- Account for and return all FWSD supplies to their containers
- Clean and tidy the BOH area
- Organize bins, help load the vehicle
- Stay for Director and Lead debriefing before signing out
🏃 Runners are the utility players of FWSD. Both FOH and BOH have a runner. You are flexible, fast, and ready for anything.
Knowledge
Check
Let's see how much you have learned! Answer all 10 questions. If you get one wrong, you will see why — and can keep trying until you get it right.
What Would
You Do?
These scenarios are based on real situations FWSD volunteers encounter. Choose the best response for each one. Best answers earn 5 bonus points!
Training
Complete!
Congratulations — you have completed the FWSD Volunteer Training! There is one final step: please click the button below to complete your official volunteer registration with Fashion Week San Diego.