THE RULES

Although Amsterdam FashionWeek has been going on for a small week, tonight it really kicks off with the shows. Liselore Frowijn (whom you might remember as a guest juror on Holland’s Next Topmodel), Avelon, and Edwin Oudshoorn are currently putting the last button on the skirt and the frow-posse is preparing the outfit because tonight the first real catwalk shows begin.

I get to sneak a peek backstage for a few hours and guide some people around. Just in case you are part of that group, I’ll tell you how things are done there. And in case you’re not there, you can still join the conversation.

Rule 1

Only talk to the head of the cabin

Backstage, there’s a whole team of makeup artists at work, but there’s always one in charge. Right, the head of the cabin. He determines the look, and when a makeup artist has a model ‘done’, she must show her to the head. If you’re interviewing backstage, the head finds it extremely annoying if you let another makeup artist speak. In the Netherlands, it will surely be a bit more relaxed than backstage in New York or Paris, but there is a huge hierarchy.

Rule 2

Don’t take photos of the models until they are made up.

I don’t need to explain that. Even a model can have a little blemish or a pimple. How would you feel if someone shoved a camera lens in your face?

Rule 3

Don’t make the masterful mistake of thinking that the paper slippers the girls wear are part of the look. They only wear them briefly to let their nails dry until they squeeze into the show shoes. Those are often a size too small for many models. But hey, fashion before comfort, remember?

Rule 4

Don’t touch anything. No matter how tempting it is to spray some extra hairspray or see how that gloss looks on you… don’t touch a thing. The hair and makeup artists have a very small workspace, respect that.

Rule 5

No drinks near the clothes.

I was once at the show of Victoria Beckham where someone walked around with a Starbucks cup near the clothes. That was commented on. By Victoria. And I can tell you; there wasn’t a word of Chinese in it.

Rule 6

At the signal; ‘change clothes’ you need to leave. So when you hear: ”Models get ready for your first look” and “Hair and make-up, step off”, you need to back off and trade backstage for front row. At least, I hope that for you.