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At QVC US, we broadcast live 24 hours a day, 364 days a year (except Christmas!) at our Studio Park location in West Chester, Pennsylvania. With so many live shows running throughout the day, our production teams are always one step ahead making sure that every set, product, and host is ready to go live. It truly takes a village! From producers to directors, videographers, hosts, and guests, so much goes into creating a show where we can share stories about the products you love.

 

But, what about the background? What goes into creating the atmosphere of every show? That’s where the scenic stylists come in. I went behind the scenes with stylists Liz Krov and Shannon Powlick to learn about what goes into styling a set and getting it ready for show time.

I headed down to the studio and met Liz who introduced me to Shannon and gave me the rundown of the show. I’d be shadowing Liz during an episode of Gourmet Holiday hosted by Sharon Faestch and Jane Treacy. Liz explained that for this type of show we’d want the set to resemble a holiday gathering at home. For the show, Liz had created an elegant “lifestyle table” using a chic glass table with silver legs, a beautiful runner, and pedestals for the food stylists to place the food upon. About ten feet away, Sharon was on air sampling a delicious-looking assortment cakes that were on display.

 

As Sharon described the Spring Cakes, I asked Liz what exactly a scenic stylist does. She explained that each program has a specific look and structure, and the scenic stylists’ job is to create and style that look. Studio Park contains five studios and 22 sets to broadcast all of our shows. Many of these sets are interchangeable and that allows the scenic stylists to accommodate the production of QVC’s various shows. So after a show wraps, the stylists come in and transform it into a look for another show. As I spoke with Liz, another stylist started prepping the set behind us for an episode of Inspired Style that would feature H by Halston fashion director Cameron Silver later that night.

 

After Gourmet Holiday ended, Liz explained that it was time to “strike” the set, or break it down and put away all the furniture and props specific to that show. The crew, including the producers, videographers, and food stylists, had wrapped and we were able to gather props to put them away. To create the next set’s look, we referenced to pictures of a seasonal look that had a specific set decor.

Next, we headed to the prop house. Just outside of the studio set, in a large warehouse, is a huge treasure trove of props and furniture! Sofas, chairs, tables, pillows, tchotchkes, cookware, flameless candles—you name it and it’s probably in the QVC prop house. We put away the props from Gourmet Holiday and started to gather the ones needed for the seasonal look. We returned to the studio set and started building the seasonal look layout.

 

After we completed the seasonal look we returned to the prop house to put away the heavier furniture props. After Gourmet Holiday, Liz’s shift was over and Inspired Style was already airing in the studio set we had just been standing in minutes before. In that time, Shannon and another stylist had created the set for LOGO by Lori Goldstein.

 

After spending an evening with QVC’s scenic stylists, I can tell you that they’re certainly Jacks and Jills of all trades. They have an eye for detail, are quick on their feet, and help to ensure that our live shows run smoothly. Shakespeare once said, “All the world’s a stage...” and at QVC’s Studio Park, that definitely rings true. Good thing we have the scenic stylists to keep our studios and sets looking beautiful for our 24-hour live programming. Many thanks to Liz, Shannon, and the Scenic Stylist team for showing me the ropes!

'Til next time,

Kelly Murray, Copywriter