fashionUK >> catwalk archive

fashionUK

Behind The Scenes at London Fashion Week

Each fashion show is like a mini-version of a West End theatre performance. The audience usually only gets to see the 20 or so models on the catwalk, and sometimes (if they cheer load enough) a fleeting glimpse of the designer who pops unpretentiously on at the end to accept a bunch of flowers and bow to applause. But behind the scenes there are literally hundreds of people involved in creating the 20 minute spectacle which is the designer fashion show.

Sneak a peek backstage at any fashion show and you'll see what looks like total chaos - and no wonder! As soon as one show finishes, the behind-the-scenes team has to make-up, hair style and dress 20 or more models, arrange the lighting and seating in the auditorium, distribute the press releases, and sometimes even dress the catwalk. Despite timekeeping sponsored by Timex, shows start somewhere between 45 minutes to 1 and a half hours behind schedule.

The outfits for each show arrive packed in plastic and are usually arranged in chronological order on the rails. Models' boards (showing the model and the outfits s/he has been allocated by the stylist or designer) ensure the dressers can quickly match the right model to the right clothes. The make-up artist and hair stylist will spend about 20 minutes on each model - or even longer depending on the complexity of the look.

Whilst all the preparations are underway, the models eat (honestly, we saw some consume entire sandwiches!) chat and relax. Backstage at Ben de Lisi, Jodi Kidd shared a joke with a mate while Patsy Kensit chewed the fat with boyfriend Liam Gallagher and pal Mariella Frostrup.

Buyers, fashion journalists and photographers all enjoy a caffeine fix and a chance to kick back after each show in the press room, photographers' or buyers' lounge. The press room is staffed by members of the Lynne Franks fashion squad who are charged with promoting the shows and seeing to the needs of hundreds of international journalists. At the start of the week, the press room's 'Wall of Fame' is bare. By Wednesday, the Fashion Week press cuttings fill are spilling over onto adjacent walls. It really isn't all glamour and sweetie-darling-fashion-loviness. The Portaloos start the week in pristine condition, but come Wednesday there's hardly an unblocked loo on site and everyone has to be prepared to cross their legs and hold on whilst they wait in a long queue for the single surviving toilet!

London Fashion Week | Introduction | Behind the Scenes | Collection Reports

© WideMedia Ltd. 1995-1999

Behind The Scenes at London Fashion Week

Each fashion show is like a mini-version of a West End theatre performance. The audience usually only gets to see the 20 or so models on the catwalk, and sometimes (if they cheer load enough) a fleeting glimpse of the designer who pops unpretentiously on at the end to accept a bunch of flowers and bow to applause. But behind the scenes there are literally hundreds of people involved in creating the 20 minute spectacle which is the designer fashion show. Sneak a peek backstage at any fashion show and you'll see what looks like total chaos - and no wonder! As soon as one show finishes, the behind-the-scenes team has to make-up, hair style and dress 20 or more models, arrange the lighting and seating in the auditorium, distribute the press releases, and sometimes even dress the catwalk. Despite timekeeping sponsored by Timex, shows start somewhere between 45 minutes to 1 and a half hours behind schedule. The outfits for each show arrive packed in plastic and are usually arranged in chronological order on the rails. Models' boards (showing the model and the outfits s/he has been allocated by the stylist or designer) ensure the dressers can quickly match the right model to the right clothes. The make-up artist and hair stylist will spend about 20 minutes on each model - or even longer depending on the complexity of the look. Whilst all the preparations are underway, the models eat (honestly, we saw some consume entire sandwiches!) chat and relax. Backstage at Ben de Lisi, Jodi Kidd shared a joke with a mate while Patsy Kensit chewed the fat with boyfriend Liam Gallagher and pal Mariella Frostrup. Buyers, fashion journalists and photographers all enjoy a caffeine fix and a chance to kick back after each show in the press room, photographers' or buyers' lounge. The press room is staffed by members of the Lynne Franks fashion squad who are charged with promoting the shows and seeing to the needs of hundreds of international journalists. At the start of the week, the press room's 'Wall of Fame' is bare. By Wednesday, the Fashion Week press cuttings fill are spilling over onto adjacent walls. It really isn't all glamour and sweetie-darling-fashion-loviness. The Portaloos start the week in pristine condition, but come Wednesday there's hardly an unblocked loo on site and everyone has to be prepared to cross their legs and hold on whilst they wait in a long queue for the single surviving toilet!