Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is coming to an end for another year in a haze of double shot soy macchiatos, no storage left on our Boomerang-filled phones and an impressive Instagram feed. We’ve seen the glamorous beauty looks and been inspired by some of the most fabulous influencers of style – but, the real magic lies elsewhere, backstage. The chic and shiny spectacle of the runway is almost always preceded with a rush of chaos (and occasional model nudity between changes). With an all-access pass, we were privy to the weird and wonderful antics behind the scenes, and the ingenious, surprising, prep that goes into fashion week. Here’s a list of everything that made us go, ‘Oh!’

 Keeping busy backstage is no east feat. Photo by Jenna Maslechko Keeping busy backstage is no east feat. Photo by Jenna Maslechko   Stunning spots backstage at Macgraw Stunning spots backstage at Macgraw

Faux freckles using a toothbrush…

… backstage at Macgraw, Make Up Director Alfie Sadsad flicked a mixture of Bobbi Brown taupe shadow and clear balm across the face for instant (fake) freckles. It’s about time the cute pigment was praised.

 

Model Entertainment:

With hours in hair and makeup required, you can bet models have crafted some interesting entertainment. Eating (we spotted nuts, popcorn and rice paper rolls), music, FaceTiming mum, selfies, touching up blogs or a good read seemed top picks. Spotted on the laps of models were How To Be Parisian and a Contracts Law Textbook – gorgeous and smart!

 Blogger/model/student- all in a day's work Blogger/model/student- all in a day’s work   Clear balm reigned supreme Clear balm reigned supreme

Lip balm for everything:

From glossing eyelids, the top of cheekbones, to tame brows, on lips (duh), clear lip balm was a perennial go-to at every show. Make up director Nicole Thompson even using MAC Clear Lipglass to mimic sweat at Manning Cartel.

 

Foundation optional:

So many shows skip foundation in favour of concealing (because, model skin) or just buffing in tinted moisturisers. Fashion directors were even requesting clean skin themselves. Backstage at Maticevski, the Clairsonic was used to buff model skin to squeaky clean perfection. While we love a pared-back approach, we might stick with a little bit of base.

 Flawless skin, sans makeup Flawless skin, sans makeup   Perfect braided buns sewn into place at C/MEO Perfect braided buns sewn into place at C/MEO

Runway hair in the craft aisle:

Hair Director Lauren McCowan for EVO used clear sewing thread to quite literally sew the models hair so hair bands were neatly hidden (very editorial).  Novel.

 

One product = A Thousand Uses:

Being the creative geniuses they are, hair and makeup directors love using products unconventionally. Nigel Stanislaus used nude Maybelline eyeshadow to contour and lip balm as glitter adhesive. Ania for Laura Mercier used her bronzer on lids and an eyebrow pencil for a cute smattering of freckles.

 Backstage at Emma Mulholland was a blur or sequins and kylie-esque wigs Backstage at Emma Mulholland was a blur or sequins and kylie-esque wigs

Story By Emily Algar & Steph Russo. Images by Jenna  Maslechko. 

Comment (0)

  1. September 22, 2016
    Taylor

    Love your behind-the-scenes pieces… Makes us readers feel like we are getting a special sneak peek! Xx

  2. September 22, 2016
    Linda

    I never had freckles growing up and always thought they were so cute and youthful looking, love that they created faux freckles on the models