My London Fashion
Week Experience
Day One
7:30 am
We were asked to
meet at the reception area in The Grand Connaught Rooms, where I meet the other
Stylists and Model Dresser Assistants.
I was on time and
waited to meet the Head Stylist of Fashions Finest.
7:45 am
We were greeted by
the Senior Stylist whom took us up to the Edinburgh room where we would be
based to assist Designers and Models.
8:30 am
Feeling overwhelmed
and excited I was asked to do the photocopying! What I thought how comes
everyone else gets to manage the clothing and im asked to do the paper work.
However this taught me whatever your asked to do do it with a smile on your
face. I realised that this was an important part of the show as it was the run
through of the Catwalk Show. Which
allowed me to know what Designer was on, when and which Models were needed,
which became useful when there was panic and mayhem when cueing the models for
the Runway.
10:00 am
All hands on deck!
I was finally able to get stuck in fulfil my duties as a Stylist and Dress and
Style the Models.
Onwards
I had lost track of
time but noted that SHOWTIME had arrived!
I did not even
realise that I had not had lunch, as the time pasts by so quickly.
However I was happy
to carry on and fill up on my Coconut Water and fruit (we instructed to bring
our own snacks) which I’m so happy I did.
Eventually after
the first show which was fun, exciting and manic we finally got to have a rest.
3pm
I stashed at the
chance to up load my social media portals, as I was so excited to share the
behind the scenes footage I took on my smartphone, of the Models and backstage
at London Fashion Week.
Twitter: VStylist
Facebook: Valerie
John-Lewis
Instagram:
VJLStylists
By the time I went
to get some lunch, which I was told would be provided for us; there were only
salad and 2 slices of cheese and onion quiche left. Great I thought,
sarcastically. Well if this is what the models eat then maybe it isn’t that
bad, as I was planning to eat start a healthy eating plan that Monday.
I had to then
assist the next Designer with the Runway schedule and Dressing the well behaved
Models whom waited patiently around.
Day 2
Was a very similar
start to Day 1 which a couple of surprises thrown in.
5:00 pm
Time flew by and it
was the second show of the day, another fun and hectic behind the scenes
commence. By this time I was exhausted but the adrenaline kept me going, as we
had one more show in an hour. We still had one or show to go British Designer
of the Year.
7:00 pm
9:00 pm
The British
Designer of the Year was revealed by Deborah St Louis Fashions Finest CEO,
which was awarded to Designer Zeeno Dee Clothing.
10 pm
The After Party
We were told
unexpectedly that we were also invited to the After Party at Bar Buddah in
Knightsbridge. Three of us girls ran to the toilets like little girls and was
in a hurry to do our make-up. I am always usually prepared with last minute
surprises, with a pair of eye lases, heels and some fab earrings in my bag. But
not this time, I was so unprepared that I did not even think After Party we
could be invited and bring a top or necklace. On the other hand I have made a
mental note for future references; SOS Kit – I will have an emergency bag full
of everything a girl could possibly need to attend events.
10:25
Party Bus
We ran to the Party
Bus which we just made in time, as the driver was about to close the doors.
Happily on board we were given tubes of Sambuka Shocks. I though this is it,
work hard and party harder. The party bus was luxurious with good music
playing, a drink bar and photographers. I wondered where these pictures could
end up. Although we weren’t famous on board, we partied with Models and
well-known names in the business.
11:00
We arrived at Bar
Buddah and were served welcome cocktails on arrival, which was really nice. It
was a chance to mingle with the elite of Fashions Finest; however most of the
backstage assistants including me stayed in our own group. The head stylist
came over to us, as we were about to order drinks and said that we had been a
great help and that we could order a round of drink on her. She then said send
all your drinks over to the VIP table and they will be taken care of. However
to my dismay this wasn’t to be the case and we were charged for an unexpected
bill that I did not see coming our way. In the end me and the girl I order a
drink for went halfs on the bill even though we did not finish the round of
drinks. In the end the experience that I thought was so fab left the bitter
sweet taste in my mouth.
Love VJL Stylists
