Dennis Clendennen of Aveda is a staple at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. His journey has been unique in that he has both served as lead as well as assistant at hundreds of shows throughout the past 21 seasons.

I caught up with him during a rehearsal break backstage at Charlotte Ronson's Spring 2013 collection during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Dennis agreed offer some insight on joining a team and starting YOUR own journey.

"It's a secret little club but once you are in it, you can make things happen," he told me. "But you must make it happen. No one will come knocking on your door. My best advice is to take classes at the companies that sponsor shows and meet the right people. You must put yourself out there."

According the Dennis, "The best part of doing fashion week is really the whole process. There is such a build up to a 15 minute show, but it is worth it."

Check out this video to hear it all from Dennis himself.

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