Backstage frenzy

That's the tale not many get to see. snapshots of what happens beyond the glamour...

That's the tale not many get to see. snapshots of what happens beyond the glamour...

What you see outside on the ramp is the beauty and what you see inside the backstage is the beast. Well, metaphorically speaking. A day spent backstage at the Lakme Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010 is like watching a drama unfold. Of svelte models being converted into goddesses wearing that perfect, and in some cases, not-so-perfect outfits. Chapter one is the makeup room.u00a0



Make-up rooms: Chaos reigns here. And yet, strangely, also order. Especially since Day 1 was when 20 designers came together to celebrate 10 years of Lakme Fashion Week. Conversations flow despite the tough schedule, and some shouting too. Model Tamara Moss, with a glass of red wine, says everyone thinks she is a foreigner. "It's because my mom is Dutch," she laughs. Tarun Tahiliani walks in to see a model with an over-the-top hairdo and gold dust on her face and neck. He goes, "Oh My God," in his usual boisterous manner. A round of giggles. Aki Narula walks in shouting, "Maa..du...riii." No response. He jokes, "None of my girls are where they should be... flirting with all the boys I am sure." More giggles.

And that's how the cookie crumbles: This model makes a dash for the second change

Soft-spoken Sabyasachi Mukherjee personally oversees the hairdo of his models in a corner, breaking into Bengali with twin models, Tapur and Tupur. Marc Robinson wants to know if make-up artist Clint Fernandes prefers a glass of wine.

Boo!: No, that's not a friendly spirit behind Narendra Kumar. Just a funky model

Greenrooms: These are off-limits to everyone. Models shuttle in and out. A senior model wearing Sabya's outfit puffs on the last cigarette before the show.

Just outside: It's deadline time. For final cuts and tucks, scissors and safety pins are kept handy. Manish Malhotra coaches Gauhar Khan on how to twirl and turn. Gauhar is more worried whether her blouse string will hold. She asks an assistant to check with, "My izzat is in your haath." Rohit Bal goes on a hugging and kissing spree, while shy Raghavendra Rathore tries to be invisible.

Breakdown?: Not really, just a break for this model in-between shows

Backstage as the show rolls on: Once the final turn out of the limelight is made, the graceful models make a dash for the greenroom for the second change, if required, shedding clothes or shoes even as they run.

Footnote: In the end, as a hard day's work draws to a close, well-deserved back-slapping and cheers do the rounds. A happy ending then...for the day.