With London Fashion Week just weeks away, we look at what happens behind the scenes and what the models get up to.  After all, us mere mortals will never get the chance to get ‘behind the curtain’ and see all the glamour in full flow.

We got the chance to talk to two fashion models Alean Elston and Jillian Rabe and Catwalk Production organiser Fiona Best to find out exactly what does happen behind that infamous curtain.

Those of us who see a fashion show from the front row, or more likely on the TV, like to think that backstage is a flurry of champaign, beautiful people and elegance, although it seems it is all a camouflage to the sheer panic and craziness that is really happening.

Jillian Rabe has been modelling for almost four years and has worked on fashion shows including China Fashion Week, Fashion’s Night Out and Elizabeth Dye, here she talks us through what happens when she arrives at a show.

“When you arrive you head backstage and check in to see where your garments are and if any final fittings are needed before the show.

“There is normally a model holding area to set your things down and change into a robe or your underwear before heading into hair and make up.  You normally get to a show from two to five hours before the show begins”

Jillian Rabe

“Shows are pretty calm when you first arrive and there is lots of waiting around.  Depending on the budget of the show there is a nice healthy spread for the models to snack on – this is usually where I am whilst I wait for one of the make up artists stations to open up.” adds Alean.

“Usually I never like the way they do my make up or hair, so after that’s all done you can usually find me and about six other models all battling for the bathroom mirror fixing the work that the make up and hair people did!”

It appears that although there is a lot of waiting around , it’s still astonishing that the stylists, make up and hair people manage to get all the models ready in time.

Alean Elston

“It’s like when Clark Kent steps into that phone booth.  You never know what it takes for him to get ready in that space, but I would imagine it’s crazy in there.  However he emerges heroic and ready to save the world and makes it look effortless.” continues Alean.

Once the models get into line, ready for a final look-over, that is when the mania starts.

“The first walk tends to go fine, it’s when you get backstage to change into your next outfit when things can become a bit manic.  If your dresser isn’t waiting for you etc…

“I can pretty much sum up what it’s like backstage in six words.  Colour.  Hairspray.  Wardrobe.  People.  Energy and Fun” said Jillian.

It may sound like fun but things can go wrong.

“I had one make up artist who was in a real rush and she pinched my eyelid in an eyelash curler.  I am still afraid of eyelash curlers to this day!”

Unfortunately that wasn’t Jillian’s only bad experience.

“I was with a show once where the backstage crew didn’t have their line up set just before the show and it ended up a screamfest at the models.  No one could hear anyone – the audience had no idea of course and the show looked great from on stage.

“Crazy or not though it’s always fun, and when it comes to work, there is nothing else I would rather be doing!”

Alean has also had her fair share.

“One time when I was modelling for a local design school and one of the student designers designed a gorgeous slim fitting green dress that had the most brilliant design at the bottom.  It was just beautiful and I was the only model that fit it.

“It fit like a dream, I wanted to take that dress home.  It was all going well until they showed me the shoes they wanted me to wear with it…they were borderline flats.

“I hate walking in flats! I thought I could get away with wearing my platforms, they looked better with it anyway and I almost did…until I tripped on the dress and my shoe fell off and I did the hardest stumble ever.  I was so embarrassed.

“A guy in the front row handed me my shoe with a big grin.  The good thing about it was the show producers weren’t mad, they just laughed about it.”

Fiona Best from Catwalk Products has also had an embarrassing moment.

“I was being filmed for a Scottish TV programme, I did an interview on camera in my office and talked about my life and working at my shows.

“They asked what is the worst thing that has ever happened at a show, I related a story where we had to cut a girl out of a dress because the zip jammed and there was no way we could get her out.

“They then come to film backstage at The Scottish Wedding show – a zip got caught.  But not on any old or ordinary dress.  On a brand new designer dress, made for the show and it was the first time it had been on the catwalk and we had six shows to do.

“The TV company loved it, I wanted to cry.  Luckily the designer was very understanding, but I’m sure thats because we told her in front of the cameras!”

So as calm as behind the scenes of a fashion show may appear, the truth is a lot happens behind those curtains that we don’t see.