the diary of a backstage session stylist at london fashion week

THE HAIR TEST

As soon as I get the call that I'm on the team for fashion week, the first thing that needs to be done is to attend the hair test. This is where Kenna, ghd's Creative Director, runs through the hair look he has created in collaboration with the designer. Hearing how he's created the look is really inspiring - so much work goes into it!

During the hair test, Kenna tells the team about the look, what we'll need to create the style and we also go through the model cards of all the models we'll be working on at the show. This gives us an idea of what to expect!

If we're using any hair extensions or padding for the look, we match this up to to model cards so that we are prepared!

We then practise creating the look until it's perfected and then we're ready for the main show!

SHOW DAY

The call-time for the hair is usually three hours before the show starts. So, for shows that are on at 9am, this involves getting to the backstage area for 6am. As soon as we get there, we have a run-through and then it's a case of waiting for the models to arrive.

Challenges during this time are models running late, or models arriving with wefts glued in from previous shows. We all pull together as a team to ensure each model is turned around as quickly as possible.

To say it's fast-paced, is an understatement! You have the entire hair team, the make-up team, the designer and their team, as well as the press and photographers all vying for space.

Once all the media have arrived, Kenna will talk them through the look and then an hour before the show, the models all disappear to have their run through. By this time, most of the hair looks are completed and it's just a case of doing the finishing touches... and then it's show time!