London Fashion Week -Behind The Scenes!

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