What Really goes on behind the scenes at Fashion Weeks?

A couple weeks ago, Team LC.com took to the streets of NYC for the nation’s biggest fashion extravaganza: New York Fashion Week! Their mission? Spot the best trends in fashion and beauty for Fall 2012 to share with all of us. But, before I show you what styles will be making a splash come fall (we haven’t even hit spring yet people!), I thought it would be fun to show you what happens behind the runway first… Here’s a photo recap leading up to the Hervé Léger by Max Azria fall 2012 ready-to-wear show. (Fun fact: Max Azria is the same brilliant designer behind BCBG!) I hope you like it!


The day before the big runway show, the designer rounds up a few models and their beauty pros to figure out the perfect hair and makeup to accompany the clothing. This is called a “hair and makeup test.”

I can imagine my jaw subconsciously dropping if I had the honour to arrive to the sights of this. The room was filled with statuesque models, an endless sea of beauty products and hair tools as far as the eye could see. Heaven!

Brushes, brushes and more brushes!

During the makeup test, pros try out different hairstyles and makeup looks on a few models. Once a “test look” is complete, the designer comes in and inspects. They either give it the green light or they ask to see more options.

Keep in mind, the hair and makeup that’s agreed upon has to be worn by every model that has been cast to walk in the show. So “the look” has to be versatile.

Each time the pros finish another hair and makeup look, the model goes into “styling” where the designer checks to see if the hair and makeup work with the clothes. (As you can see, no cameras allowed!)

Finally, a hair and makeup look is selected…and I totally love it! The bold brows, barely-there makeup and blunt ponytail look stunning:

And you guys know that I am undoubtedly, a big fan of the fresh-face. It's bang on trend plus transforms the natural face to existing wonders! (look here at LC.com…) 

The next day, it’s time for the show. Before the models hit the runway, they head backstage to get made up and dressed. When the stylists arrived, backstage was buzzing with blow dryers and flat irons while makeup artists worked meticulously on each face. Basically, it must have been fashion mayhem!

And you’d be surprised what you find backstage…such as tables full of hair extensions:

And shoes:

And plenty of ammo for emergencies (I love the “back up” harness, don’t you?):

Finally, once the models are in full hair and makeup, they get dressed and hit the runway!


The final product? Perfection.

Did you check out any of the fall 2012 shows? If so, which one was your favourite?

Saskia XO