Catwalk Confusion

Walking the runway at fashion weeks is a matter of prestige for models but it8217;s also about 13 shows in a span of five days 8212; a lot of money, and, hard work. 8220;Now with two fashion weeks in different cities, models are making hay while the sun shines,8221; laughs choreographer Lubna Adams. Even otherwise, the pace isn8217;t slow for a top model: 8220;I8217;ve flown to three different cities in three days,8221; Nina Manuel tells me. Doing three shows a day for a fashion week is hard work. 8220;It8217;s become a job now. But earlier as the fashion week would end, I would take off for a holiday,8221; laughs Manuel.

And don8217;t even mention competition. Choreographer Marc Robinson says that hundreds of models audition of whom a few make the cut. 8220;The screening is stringent but you can only work with what you have. Seven years ago we had the best of the best, now we pick the best of the worst,8221; he says. No wonder then that despite the demand for fresh talent, old-timers like Jesse Randhawa and Diandra Soares still rule the runway.

Thirty-two models showcase the collections of different designers during the week and the number hasn8217;t changed through the years. They are divided into two equal groups and have to arrive at the venue by 7 am, at least three hours before the show to queue up for hair and make-up. If they are lucky, the base make-up for all the shows for the day will remain the same, if not, they8217;ll go through the arduous task of getting it all off and starting all over again. While Manuel resents waking up early, Vidisha Pavate says, 8220;We don8217;t mind the increased number of shows during the week, it8217;s the wait that tires us more.8221;

For many, the LFW becomes a time to catch up with friends they don8217;t meet often and so backstage the cigarettes are shared along with the gossip. While some sip on Red Bull, others retain energy by catching up on their beauty sleep. Oblivious to the activity in the make-up room, Manuel naps sitting on one chair while her legs are stretched out on another. As I walk out I see someone else has settled herself on the three feet wide carpeted corridor, a metal luggage trolley works as a pillow. Won8217;t your neck hurt, I ask. 8220;Well, there8217;s pain everywhere else, so this won8217;t make a difference,8221; she says. Model Himangi Pate sits in the corridor tweezing strays out of her eyebrows: 8220;This is the only place we can get some peace and quiet.8221;

For each show the models get around two minutes to get into the next garment and be back on the runway. So while the model is applying baby oil to get the shining cleavage, the helper is zipping up the dress and slipping her feet into the stilettos. The oomph ceases to exist for those few minutes. 8220;The urgency and stress takes over and talking does not remain a form a communication.8221; You have to scream to be heard, never mind being seen. 8220;We tell our helpers in advance not to take these things seriously,8221; smiles Pate.

Right before the walk on the runway, there8217;s a last look in the full-length mirror placed in the corridor. The Carol Gracias mishap is still fresh and both models and designers are overtly cautious. There are double checks to confirm if everything is pinned up and outfits are worn under bright lights to assess transparency.

8220;Even on the ramp, my mind is buzzing if everything is in place,8221; says model Anchal Kumar. The buzz about moral police in the audience is everywhere and maybe that8217;s the reason that even the small slip of a strap received the huge media coverage. 8220;It wasn8217;t a malfunction. I8217;m tired of talking about that,8221; Manuel says.

Kumar says that they would much rather learn from other people8217;s mistakes. 8220;In any case we want people to pay attention to the outfit and not what8217;s underneath,8221; she adds.

Most days end as late as 10 pm, after which they get home, wash out the chemicals from the hair and skin but it isn8217;t bedtime yet. If there8217;s a post-show party, many attend to get feedback and be up-to-date on the buzz. 8220;If I get six hours of sleep and don8217;t drink at the parties, I can work well the next day,8221; says Manuel. Candice Pinto puts the stitch in place: 8220;For this week even though life is nothing but work, we do miss it when it8217;s over.8221;