story written by Seth Friedermann
office and showroom photos by Aeric Meredith-Goujon
runway show photos by Adrianna Favero
Backstage at a major fashion show is at once a thrilling and daunting place to be. There’s so much riding on each season that the simple pressure of the room is intense, and the energy leaves the senses heightened and often the nerves on edge. It is, in short, no place for amateurs. It is a place for the serious and skilled to excel, and it’s easy to spot them if you’re back there often enough. Megan Maguire Steele, owner of her self-named PR firm, Maguire Steele, is both serious and skilled, and has done a great deal of excelling lately.
From helping Billy Reid to become a sought-after and honored brand, and placing Timo Weiland in the CFDA Incubator, her touch has been magic. modaCYCLE was able to shadow her in the weeks leading up to the Fall 2012 New York Fashion Week, and then again in the pressure-cooker backstage at the Timo Weiland show. What emerged was a picture of a woman who is sharp and serious, but not nervous or quick tempered. She has a firm hand on the rudder that guide her brands. Megan Maguire Steele mixes insight with industry knowledge to create winning strategies.
“Often times, you hit road blocks when building a new brand or re-launching an existing brand. Creative problem-solving and actionable out-of-the-box strategies are key to navigating and generating results across a variety of media platforms. Good PR creates a large than life persona for the brand, which paves the way for real financial growth.” – Megan Maguire Steele
Ask Mrs. Maguire Steele’s clients about her, and more often than not they will mention her intellect. Alan Eckstein from Timo Weiland said he’s often in awe of her abilities; “she’s scary smart, it’s actually intimidating at times.” Megan Maguire Steele has a mind that keeps turning and although she says that her biggest challenge is often simply letting herself relax, it’s obvious that the success of the brands that she handles gives her a deep sense of satisfaction. Despite her aggressive and always-on nature, she can take comfort in knowing that she’s been getting it right for her brands for many seasons, and relax in the knowledge that isn’t likely to change.
“It is always exciting to see the new designs and innovations of each client, and the distinct lens through which they design and create. With each viewing, I am thinking about the narrative thread for the season and how I will begin to effectively distill and communicate each client’s creative message in a way that generates enthusiasm and interest from media, and stays true to the foundation of the brand, while pushing the story forward in dynamic ways.” – Megan Maguire Steele
