Red carpets, Hollywood’s elite and after parties. New York fashion week is one of the most glamorous, fast paced events in today’s fashion society, however it takes a large team to ensure the event runs smoothly.

I was lucky enough to intern for Libertine in New York this February, to see what goes on backstage of one of the worlds most awaited events. From seeing all the efforts that go into this event, and participating myself, I dove headfirst into the world of fashion.

There are a few things you learn in this industry, if you can take a lunch break, take a lunch break. Wear comfortable (but always stylish) shoes. Most importantly- Anything said on show day is not to be taken personally. People are not lying when they say you will be constantly on your feet. It’s a fast-paced world which can often involve running from place to place to pick-up last-minute safety pins or belts. Running errands truly allowed me to feel like Andrea Sachs trying to impress Miranda Priestly (although everyone here was a lot nicer). It gave me the chance to see sides of New York that wouldn’t be seen by the regular tourist, including spending hours in the garment district to ensure we have anything we could possibly need to allow show-day to run seamlessly.

The preparation that goes into a runway show is that of no other, each model carefully selected for each look. Interns like me running back and forth to the sink to refill the steamers as I soon learnt, nothing could ever be over-steamed. Lint rollers being passed back and forth, dressing and undressing potential models, taking utmost care with the zippers and fun embellishments on the clothes. To work that closely with a collection that resembles joy and being bold. With pieces covered in the words from Lord Byron’s poem ‘Darkness’ to pieces featuring the dogs owned by the staff, is an experience I’ll never forget, and I would recommend to everyone.

I think there’s an unfair stigma around models being self indulgent or constantly fussing over their appearance, however every model hired by the company, worked together to create a fun filled work environment. I was worried dressing models would be uncomfortable for both parties, however they made it feel normal and as if it is a daily occurrence (which it probably is). Everyone backstage was so friendly, all packed with insane stories from other shows and different brands. The image of the dressing room is exactly how you’d picture. Hair and makeup teams walking round with makeup brushes in hand and bottles of hairspray, photographers knowing exactly what to say to make people laugh, snapping the best shots to capture the day.

The Libertine team all matching in science coat style shirts, not only being cohesive in outfit but in organisation. Everyone had a job, and everyone was stuck in. There was not one person out of place, each stocked with safety pins, blister plasters, lint rollers and alcohol wipes. As the models line up on their

taped lines, getting ready for what we have been working towards, there’s a tension in the room. This is what everyone has been anticipating for weeks, months. This show is what the work has been for. The team and still making last minute adjustments, including myself who while being poked with the safety pins I secured on my trousers for emergencies, running round with two lint rollers for each hand, making sure the collection is as perfect as it can be. The models, giving each other high fives and fist bumps for luck, and the photographers getting into their final position, out the way of the team.

As the beat of the music begins, the first model struts confidently, leaving our sights and heading out in front of A-listers and designers, buyers and clients. Her full satin outfit underneath a long jacket featuring Russian dolls and roses, coloured like a galaxy slips out of sight, stopping me in awe for a moment, before I’m snapped back into work to assist with a quick change. To the audience, these quick changes are seamless, almost as if they were wearing one one outfit under another- but backstage it took a team and a giant risk. One person to undress, someone to grab the clothes, someone to help them change into the new outfit, another with a lint roller, someone doing up the buttons and the zips. They look almost perfect to an audience member, and backstage the team are taking a sigh of relief now that the risk has paid off.

At the end of the show, backstage becomes a place of relief. Filled with laughter and applause at the success of the collection. The team congratulating each other, models laughing together, giving each other a final high five, before changing and all going their separate ways.

The whole experience was over faster than I could blink, however the day wasn’t over yet. Heading back to the hotel that was our temporary showroom, in which I’ve spent the last week working at, everyone orders lunch and collapses onto the sofas in relief. There is still so much work to be done, as fashion week may look like runways, glamour and ease to a watcher’s eye, but behind it all, takes dedication, a team of hard workers and trust in the process.