Video Editor: Veeru Krishnan Mohan
While fashion shows throw the spotlight on designers and models, there’s so much more to the glam than meets the eye. From stylists and hair and make-up artists to light technicians, audio engineers and show directors, there’s a massive team that’s responsible for making sure the event goes off without a glitch.
This season of Lakme Fashion Week, The Quint went backstage to find out just what it takes to put together a glitzy fashion show.
Show Director - The Person Who Calls the Shots
When you see some 16 to 30 odd models seamlessly walk down the ramp in different formations, have you ever wondered how they manage to hit their marks so effortlessly? Well, it’s the show director who works with the models and the light and sound departments to make sure the show runs smoothly.
A show director explains how the models should walk depending on the music and the feel of the show. They constantly monitor what is going on, issuing directions when necessary.
Fun Tip: If you ever see a model’s eyes wander to the top when she’s at the top of the ramp, it’s likely she’s looking at the show director.
No Lights, No Show
Lights play a crucial role in building the atmosphere of a show. A light designer and his team (which could include up to 20 people) ensures that the lights face the right direction that the lighting system functions correctly.
You’ll see him sitting next to the director and he’s the one responsible for building the suspense when a show-stopper is about to enter or when the show is about to end.
Finding the Right Music
The designer and director work together with a music producer to decide which tracks to use for the show depending on the vibe that they want to convey. The process usually starts about two weeks before the final event.
There are some designers who know exactly what they want while some others need an expert’s advice.Anup Bhat, Music Producer (Lakme Fashion Week)
With the advent of technology, the process has become easier. Earlier the find the right track for a show meant physically sourcing music from a store.
Styling the Models
The process of styling is a long one. The designers and stylist collaborate at least two month in advance to choose which outfits to showcase. The stylists are the ones who decide the accessories, hair and make-up and shoes. They arrange for fittings for each model and also see that everything goes well on the final day.
Sometimes it can test your experience and your nerves. There will be times when you’ll have to work with multiple labels, designers and show-stoppers. It can get stressful.Ekta Rajani, Head of Styling (Lakme Fashion Week)
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