What are the backstage secrets at a fashion week?
How mysterious and alluring is behind the scenes at a couture show?
A diary of the voyages of a millennial newcomer at Lakme Fashion Week through the “ever-entertaining” backstage.
Day 3 was technically a half day for me.
My college work (ugh) rudely interrupted and took up most of my day.
Luckily, the more exciting events of the day were yet to come.
Most of the fun was backstage today. I got the chance to interview some of the stylist interns who work behind the scenes and dress the models prior to their shows. They do everything from helping them put on their underwear to fastening necklaces to tightening high heel straps.
They were happy to chat with me about their work and their experiences at LFW.
A model and a stylist backstage.
The stylists have all kinds of odd jobs.
My next task was an interview I've been chasing since Day 1 -- an interview with a male model.
Generally, from what I've observed, there are less shows with male models, so they are not around as much. And when they are around, they're incredibly busy.
Friday I talked with Pratik and Parth, who were each a head taller than me, which I don't see very often
Both of whom have two years of modelling experience under their belts.
They had an easy rapport, teasing each other, as they answered my questions.
I returned backstage for the 7pm show Friday, Caprese x Shivan and Narresh, which was somehow bizarre and enchanting at the same time.
The girls were modelling the S&N outfits and the Caprese bags at the same time.
Every model had about 50 tiny diamonds glued to their faces and had the hair at their temples delicately curled into circles and stuck to their cheeks with hair gel.
Some of the models wore swimsuits, others wore the newest collection -- a cross between vacation wear and Indo-Western formal wear.
Diana Penty was the showstopper. She wowed in a heavily embroidered olive green, velvet lehenga that I had the chance to see up close in the green room before the show.
Shivan and Narresh prep a model backstage before the show.
Designer Shivan Bhatiya adds a last-minute touch.
Body bronzing and lip plumping happening backstage.
Curls in progress.
A little practice before the runway.
Shweta Dolli models a Caprese clutch.
Twinning!
The celebrity of the day was, the one and only, Manish Malhotra.
He arrived in style, obviously, in a green and red tracksuit with ‘dad’ sneakers and oversized gladiator glasses.
He was there for the second edition of Questions No One Asks, to be interviewed by Shefalee Vasudev. From what I heard of his interview; the so-called difficult questions were not very difficult.
Nevertheless, he was honest and kind, he stopped on the way for selfies and took a lot of questions from aspiring fashion designers in the audience.
The Voice of Fashion: Questions No One Asks with Manish Malhotra.
Manish was the only celebrity, till now, who stopped for selfies on his way out of the venue.
Due to a shortage of media passes, I was unable to watch any shows Friday, but I think the ever-entertaining backstage made up for it.
I, for one, could never tire of some good, old people-watching, especially at a place like fashion week. Every glance is filled with brightly and eccentrically dressed people to keep you busy.
I’m excited to see what Day 4 brings! Coming up are my photos of the day.
Audience members queueing up for Caprese x Shivan and Narresh.
A cute, handmade flow chart to help the stylists carry out mid show outfit changes without a hitch.
Captain Suresh is always dressed to impress.
Photoshoots on photoshoots.
A Jason Arland update.
The twisty potato station.
An invited blogger gets his makeup done at the Lakme salon.
To steam or not to steam.
Backstage selfies are a must!
Some gorgeous gowns await their five minutes of fame on the runway.
So that’s how they get that perfect lighting!
Susan, the material girl, nails a third day in a row.
Until tomorrow!
Day 1 and Day 2 Diaries: How a 20 something found her groove at LFW
