Miller grew up in Northwest Washington and now is living in Northeast. She has been involved with DC Fashion Week since it began 8 years ago, and she was one of the first models. She now works as stage manager and model coordinator, with duties ranging from coaching the models to helping select which collections will be shown on the runways. Fashion Week continues through Sunday.

What's it like being behind the scenes at DC Fashion Week?

It's rejuvenating. You don't get to sometimes see the glory of it being backstage, but hearing the crowd's response and hearing it after the show ... just to know you were a part of putting that together is an amazing feeling.

Have you seen any major changes from year to year?

There has been major growth in our international presence. It started out as being more about local designers. ... But our couture show is mostly international designers now.

What kind of fashion is highlighted?

We have everything from ready-to-wear to couture gowns. One year, we had a Yugoslavian designer who did a lot of bird nest and dog muzzles. She put the muzzles on the models' heads as hats.

What's the overall fashion scene like in the District?

We all like to play hard as well. We like to get out of the shirt and tie and get into something more dressy or edgy when its time to let down your hair. We've gotten out of the boring pinstripe suits. I think it's great to see how even men's wear has broadened.

What trends do you expect will be big in D.C. this fall?

Because I think D.C. is a melting pot, it's hard to say. The youth has changed the criteria of what we wear. I honestly don't know. It's everything at this point. The sky is the limit.

- Abby Hamblin