Fashion Models [Search results for backstage] 

Stage 1: before Balmain, on the street

Stage 2: getting hair done, backstage

Stage 3: make up complete

Stage 4: getting dressed, downstairs

Stage 5: first look, backstage before hitting the runway

Katrin Wesolowski, production and model line up for Balmain

This Paris Fashion Week, Katrin Wesolowski is busy casting shows and scouting new faces (above with British designer, Henry Holland) while working with La Mode En Images (In House Casting & Production Company for the Balmain show) founded by Olivier Massart. La Mode En Images also works on other various shows during Paris Fashion Week like Givenchy, Balenciaga, Valentino, and YSL to name a few. Katrin was kind enough to grant me backstage access to the Balmain show, which translated itself into a story revolving around model Jac Jagaciak.

I was fortunate enough to be able to catch up with Katrin after the show in between her busy schedule, and get to know her more and what she does as a Casting Agent:

Craig Arend: Thank you so much for taking the time out from your busy schedule of shows to speak with me.Katrin Wesolowski: My pleasure!

Craig: Can you please tell us what you are doing here in Paris for Fashion Week.Katrin: I work as a casting agent for La Mode En Images. It is one of the leading production companies in the fashion business.

Craig: What draws you to this line of work?Katrin: It's such an exciting environment to work in. There are always so many things going on at the same time.

Craig: How did you get your start?

Katrin: Well, I first started as a Stylist Assistant in Milan. I then moved to Paris to assist Julia von Boehm and then worked with Christopher Niquet at MIXTE magazine. In 2006, I left Paris and went home to Stochkolm to work as a Model Agent at Mikas Model Management. I stayed there for 2 years and moved back to Paris to work as a Stylist Producer for Art Partner. I then was called by Patrizia Pilotti of La Mode En Images, who offered me a job to work for her. And I've been working for Patrizia ever since.

Craig: What is a memorable moment that stands out for you in your experience?

Katrin: There are so many, but I'll never forget my first show in Paris. My best friend, Delfina got me in to see Chanel and I was so excited I could cry!

Craig: What are you looking for when you are casting?

Katrin: Castings are so very personal. It truly depends on what each individual client is looking for at that time.

Craig: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Katrin: I would love to cast on my own!

Craig: Well, thank you again for finding the time to sit down with me. Good luck with the rest of fashion week!

Katrin: See you at the next show Craig!

Behati!

John Pfeiffer, the elusive Casting Director for the Victoria's Secret show. Basically, John narrows down the candidates to walk the show from over 200 to just around 80. John casts for numerous other directional shows like Oscar and Ralph Lauren.

backstage is actually quite spacious and open, unlike at New York Fashion Week shows, where it's crowded.

Constance!

Numerous interviews simulataneously happen backstage. For 39 girls who walk the show, I'd say there are at least 25-30 interviews being simultaneously conducted.

Magdalena...

Shu Pei, a new face for the show. There were 11 new faces in the Victoria's Secret Show this season, down from 15 new faces last year.

Always sweet Sui He.

Maybe that's what I want??? (Constance Jablonski)

Are you open to creative suprises? (Maryna Linchuk)

Wink at 2012, life is FUN! (Jacquelyn Jablonski)

Are you going to cover things up from yourself to avoid facing reality? (Jessica Clarke)

Are you going to keep secrets from yourself? (Joan Smalls)

Are you brave enough to be silly? (Behati Prinsloo)

Are 2012's challenges going to make you implode and lose sight of who you reallyare? (Adriana Lima)

Will 2012 bring surprises that make you pensive about being yourself (Anja Rubik)

Will you smile, being comfortable in your own skin? (Miranda Kerr)

Will you learn to "heart" yourself so you can learn to "heart" others? (Liu Wen with Anais Mali)

Happy 2012! The world's got loads of changes awaiting this year: a new U.S. presidential term, the Mayan Calendar officially ends (omg, omg I'm sooo afraid), and Facebook will finally go public.

Yet, despite any major external events, our happiness is always internally 100% our choice. It's not your boyfriend's job to make you happy. It's not your girlfriend's job to make you feel good about yourself. It's your job to choose happiness for yourself. My challenge to you guys is to let go of trying to control what others think of you in order to make space for you to be who you really are.

*all photos courtesy of backstage access to the November 2011 Victoria's Secret show

Arizona Muse exiting the SS17 BCBG Max Azria show. She was virtually unknown at this time.

Want to know which show at New York Fashion Week will give the first clue as to who the next big face will be this season? Try BCBG Max Azria. It's on Day 2 of New York Fashion Week and comes before Marc Jacobs (mid week) and Calvin Klein (last day).

At this same time last season, Arizona Muse who was virtually unknown was already on Casting Director Russell Marsh's radar. She opened and closed BCBG Max Azria. Russell Marsh later cast Arizona for the SS17 Prada show and with Miucci Prada's final go ahead, Arizona Opened and Closed Prada.

A similar pattern of virtually prophetic insight by Casting Director Russell Marsh can also be understood by looking back at the SS17 and SS17 BCBG Max Azria shows. In SS17, Russell cast a virtually unknown Frida Gustavsson and Jacquelyn Jablonski. And for SS17, Russell cast a rookie face unknown to the public at the time named Constance Jablonski.

Granted, there are other shows and many other factors that contribute to a models runway success, but BCBG Max Azria because of it's place on the New York Fashion Week schedule on Day 2 is the perfect place to begin looking for at least one big new face, possibly the next Constance, Jacquelyn, or Arizona.

Be sure to check back on the blog on September 8/9th for an update from backstage at the BCBG Max Azria show as I've just been confirmed by PR!

Tanya Dziahileva

Ania Porzuczek

Martha Streck

Milou van Groesen

Joann Smalls

Lindsay Ellingson

I'd have to say that working back stage at the TIBI show was a borderline Zen/harmony experience. I had imagined that it was going to literally be a "mosh pit" of photogprahers and journalists contorting around one another in a tiny cramped space. While the space back stage is small, there was still some kind of flow between people back stage that made moving around a smooth, effortless process for everyone involved. And to the PR people at TIBI, thanks for the opportunity!

Tory leaves her show

Tory with her models after the show at the runway entrance

Tory backstage getting inteviewed by the press, always smiling

mirrored motion by two hair stylists

Tilda Lindstam got interviewed while having her hair done

hair extensions were used on some girls

Kérastase hair products were used in the show

make up took kit

make up was applied with surgical, yet artistic precision

and often, double checked to perfection

and when perfect, convenient blackberry photos were taken!

lots and lots of ZOYA nail polish was used

as you can see here

and even better here

after hair/make up/nails were done, it was time to get accessorized

who wouldn't wear these sunglasses and feel amazing?

or these shoes for that matter?

models put on their sunglasses

then it was time to line up

a view of the line up order, names written on tape to keep organizational flow

anticipating the walk through the runway

the starting line of the line up

line up, shoe shots

after many hours, days, and weeks of preparation for the show, Tory shows great poise by smiling and did several quick interviews with the press. Here she's making a point. I couldn't help but notice her ring in this shot.

It was a great time back stage overall and many thanks to the entire Tory team for their assistance getting me past security, getting me that special star sticker, and just being cool people to work with

backstage at the SS17 Dries Van Noten show

Hilary Rhoda (USA/Women NY) exits Derek Lam's SS17 show today at Lincoln Center where she reported from backstage for Elle dot com.

For more photos of Models Off Duty (M.O.D.) be sure to click the following Teen Vogue.com link!

You know I was backstage at the Victoria's Secret show recently and had Jessica sign her signature on a sheet for a client. It was cute in that she dotted the lower case 'i' in Jessica with a heart.