BEHIND THE SCENES

There’s a certain energy that lies behind the scenes of a fashion show. Half-dressed models in curlers rush from their vanities with stylists trailing after them to add a final dust of eyeshadow or snip one last hanging thread before their year’s work struts down a catwalk lined with critics and admirers alike. A constant hum of chatter can be heard as models revel in the final moments before harsh lights and piercing eyes bore into their bodies, before they become less human and more art. These final moments of beauty, chaos and connectivity form the essence of the fashion world.

It doesn’t take being a model to experience the art that is fashion and its preparations. In the same way a child feels when they step into their mother’s oversized heels for the first time or paint their face with frosted eyeshadow and berry lipstick to look like the older kids they see down the street, that energy and connection can be felt backstage of a fashion show. Only through experiencing this preparation firsthand do we realize that what we imagine to be a glamorous process is, in fact, nothing of the sort. Foundation spills and stains the carpet, enough hairspray pollutes the air that the atmosphere itself could be considered a fire hazard, and girls gnaw on greasy food

or swipe through Tinder between flicks of mascara. The beauty of the experience doesn’t come from its finalized glamour, but rather from its stark imperfections. Here, models are more than glitzy clothing and glittery makeup. They are simply individuals who use beauty and fashion as a channel to express themselves and create long lasting relationships.

In a world where first impressions make or break relationships, especially when face-toface interactions are few and far between, a judgement-free environment is a rarity.

Furthermore, the scrutinization of women — how they look and act, what they wear, and who they talk to — is still prevalent. With these conditions in mind, and the idea of fashion often being an outlet for these women, the backstage culture and the relationships formed can be a safe space for those looking to bare their true selves without the risk of criticism.

This experience is not exclusive to a certain type of person. Instead, these bonding opportunities can happen to anyone, anywhere. Whether it’s someone walking down the aisle, a model strutting down the runway at Fashion Week or a twentysomething on a friend’s night out, the intimate pre-event interactions often stick with them and provide them a feeling of comfort in even the most stressful situations.

In these backstage moments, vulnerability is encouraged. The world often expects a stonefaced, guard-up demeanor. Therefore, when one is behind-the-scenes — whether that’s backstage of a show or a friend’s tiny apartment bathroom — it is important to counter such stereotypes with openness. Clothes and makeup aren’t viewed as defining aspects of a person’s character, but as expressions of their inner beauty and unique style influences. Runway poker faces are swapped for easy smiles during the exchange of playful banter and inside jokes between friends. Half-dressed models rush from the bathroom to their closets, knowing their bodies will not be the topic of the room. An unspoken understanding of trust and compassion is established between those who are part of the organized chaos.

Without these moments of closeness, nights out and runway shows alike would lack a certain passion that is sparked by the feelings of support and confidence from bonding with others in a comfortable environment. Knowing one’s biggest supporters sit right behind the stage builds a feeling of invincibility that makes even the harshest critic’s remarks seem small. Outer beauty becomes infinitely more appealing when one’s inner beauty is just as apparent, proving these interactions are crucial to the process of fashion presentation. These small glimpses of life behind-the-scenes show us that fashion is not reliant on glamour alone, but instead consists of chaotically beautiful backstage moments.