Backstage - 1 thing I learnt during the London fashion week

Beautiful show means craziness backstage

I never thought about how backstage shows could look like. 

From the outside, you just see beautiful catwalks in wonderful venues - perfect models looking fabulous in stunning designers garments. Like an effortlessly glamorous happening. 

It seems just so perfect that you can't even imagine the chaos that is running behind all of that. 

But let me tell you, backstage is where you find all the craziness! 

I had the chance to attend 5 shows as a backstage dresser at the London Fashion Week and even the most organized teams have to deal with some last minute issues. 

All these things that you can't face before it just happens... 

A lost earing - a wrong shoe size - a lost model

Everyone is working under pressure to deliver the most perfect show.

It has been weeks if not months that the designers' teams are working on it. And the more it gets closer the more work they have to achieve. 

Before the show, you have to deal with timing - and timing is everything.

The teams have to coordinate the army of people working for them on that day.

As a dresser, your job is to make sure that your looks are absolutely perfect and ready for the model to jump in - because you are the final link in the chain but no matter what you have to be on time. Models running late - Hair & makeup taking forever - No matter what you have to make it happen!

During the show, you still have to deal with timing!

The teams put a lot of pressure on you because they need the models perfectly ready for the catwalk.

As a dresser, you have to change the model that has, most of the time, 2 or 3 looks and you usually don't have more than 1 minute to change. And let me tell you that when you find yourself with a long dress - buttons head to toe, it gets really tricky!

Fortunately, it works with team spirit, so everyone gives you a hand and you don't know how but your model is dressed on time and back in the line to hit the runway. Magic happened!

And by the finale, you are just overwhelmed with emotion and proud - you can clearly feel the atmosphere backstage!

At the end of the day, you just realize "Such a big amount of work for 15 min show"

but it's so worth it !

Here are some images of the models I dressed during the London Fashion Week. (more to come)

Alexandra Moura SS19

Alexandra Moura SS19

Fyodor Golan SS19

Paul Costelloe SS19

I am so grateful for the wonderful opportunity I had to be part of this amazing event .

Thanks you LCS!

Love, 

The french A.