It's showtime!

Every season, fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton, Burberry, CH Carolina Herrera, Donna Karan and MaxMara present the world with dazzling catwalk shows filled with fresh ideas for clothes, hair and makeup, which inspire and reflect society's mood.
These images are seen in magazines, on billboards and on the Internet, but how is a catwalk show put together? Behind the glitz, wellcrafted clothes and glamor lie months of preparation, blind panic backstage, tons of talent and plenty of Champagne!
Fashion shows are pure theatre, with models, lights and music all reflecting what the designers and their clothes are trying to say. To ensure the commercial success of a collection, choosing a location is key, whether it's in New York, Paris, Milan or London. For spring/summer 2008, Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton chose the Cour Carrée in the majestic Paris museum, Le Louvre, which he filled with a marquee.

Famous faces are also crucial for a successful show. Filling the front row with A-listers is a must for maximum media exposure.
Designers also have to invite and impress key fashion journalists and store buyers, such as Marigay McKee, Harrods of London's fashion and beauty director (seen at Burberry) and French Vogue's Carine Roitfeld, to ensure exclusive shops and boutiques around the world stock their fashionable wares.
Louis Vuitton's front row was filled with a galaxy of stars, such as Sophie Dahl, Jamie Cullum, Courtney Love, Jacobs' muse Sofia Coppola, Catherine Deneuve and new "BFF" Posh Spice. Donna Karan's front row also boasted ever-young Demi Moore, and Burberry's hosted US Vogue editor Anna Wintour.
Having the top girls of the moment on the catwalk is also crucial. Opening and closing the Louis Vuitton show were 12 of the world's most famous models, including Stephanie Seymour, Eva Herzigova, Natalia Vodianova and Naomi Campbell, disguised as nurses, carrying faded Monogram canvas bags. As they lined up on the podium, the red letters on their crisp white surgical caps spelled Louis Vuitton. Liya Kebede was queen of the catwalk at Carolina Herrera's show, and Brit sensations Lily Donaldson and Agyness Deyn were seen at UK label Burberry, with Lily also making an appearance in Milan at Max Mara.
Backstage is the real engine room of a show—it's a perfect example of organized chaos.

The world's best hair and makeup artists usually liaise with the designer months in advance to create the "look" that they want. However, designers are not averse to changing their minds at the last minute! An army of stylists and dressers, who are responsible for helping with the models' quick changes, as well as stressed-out designers, all congregate backstage. They have to put together the pre-arranged accessories and outfits on the correct models.
Shows are notorious for running behind schedule, which is usually because models arrive late from previous shows. At Louis Vuitton, superstar makeup artist Pat McGrath explains: "We had 70 or 71 girls to do—it was a very long day and we went through a lot of lip gloss and hairspray." Carolina Herrera had the dynamic duo of hairstylist Orlando Pita and makeup artist Diane Kendal, who said, "It's all about the lips, and we decided to use a bright orange." Makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury at Donna Karan complemented her theme of 1950s safari dresses by explaining, "Donna wanted the skin to look Havana hot and sweaty like the girls had been in the sun."
But the real stars of the catwalk shows are, of course, the clothes themselves. At Louis Vuitton we saw deconstructed layers, mismatched prints and eclectic color combinations inspired by Richard Prince paintings, and Prince revisited Louis Vuitton's iconic Speedy bag in super-luxe pink ostrich leather. Christopher Bailey brought us the Burberry girl—but tougher, in highly worked chiffon, tulle, and organdy dresses. "She's a luxury warrior. It's a bit more rock." Bailey says. Donna Karan described her mix of strong tailoring and soft stretch jerseys in pale shades by saying, "Women today are women on the go, they need flexible clothes that move and take them into evening." Finally, Max Mara saw early 1980s street influences, with jackets with volume in the back, jumpsuits and an androgenous feel.
There is nothing like the atmosphere backstage at a fashion show—the sheer panic, the elation when it's all over. Next time you see one pictured in a magazine, you will know how much hard work has gone into making it seem so effortless.