Friday 16th September – the first day of LFW 2011.
I started off my day bright and early at Simone Rocha. Even though the atmosphere at Simone Rocha is super chilled and they aren’t majorly panicking as the show is not until Sunday, I could sense that fashion week had begun. Suddenly my inbox was filled with emails to sort, and as I was responsible for the FelderFelder show today I had lots of things to sort out for them; from models call times to last minute fittings that morning. I loved the buzz and pressure though, I seem to weirdly work well under pressure.
Castings at Simone Rocha
Anyway once again with a phone in one hand, multiple models portfolios in the other and with my eyes watching different girls walk, the morning passed in a flash. The Simone Rocha casting seemed really successful this morning as her collection is so beautiful and the girls we received today were all stunning and just what Simone and the team were after. Having worked in casting now for a couple of days I am beginning to have favourites (model-wise). I know you’re probably not meant to but some of them just suit every casting we see them at. Such as Cora Keegan (below), she has such an intriguing face and beautiful figure, she has really shone at all the castings so far.
After a spot of lunch, where we still had a constant stream of girls coming in, I had to dash to the FelderFelder show. With a call time at 3pm and a couple of models coming early at 2.30 for a fitting I knew I needed to be there ASAP – however typically our laptop decided to mess around for a few minutes meaning I had to literally run to Somerset House.
On arrival I was amazed by all the people just ‘hanging’ around. I’m sure there will be an endless amount of bloggers online tonight posting their findings and their opinions of best dressed. I finally found myself backstage at the BFC tents and met Annette and Dani Felder (the designers) to give me my pass. I couldn’t believe my luck when they told me 4 girls (out of 14) had arrived already!!
Backstage in the BFC tents for FelderFelder
So as soon as 3pm hit I went about my job of constantly ringing agencies to chase up on girls. It’s really quite hard work especially as some girls just get fed up with their agents and ignore their phone calls!! As models gradually dribbled into the tent I got to meet a couple of the girls I had missed at the castings such as Amber Le Bon and Charlotte Wiggins. Obviously as soon as Amber arrived she had a lot of attention from people wanting to take her photo, as well as press asking for interviews etc. She was a really sweet girl and more shy than I thought she would be. As 4pm approached and I still had a couple of girls missing I must admit I did start to panic, especially when they were telling their agents they had arrived and yet they were no where to be seen. It finally came down to only one girl missing who had been at a 2pm show, so I expected her to be late…however not THIS late. Speaking to her agent I learnt that she had done this at a show yesterday and suddenly I was distracted with the production team saying out loud that if she didn’t arrive soon they would look into cutting her from the show and finding a replacement – of course I think this would be down to me, and with this being my first show I was DESPERATE for this girl to turn up. She eventually did with an angry agent shouting at her down the phone. I cannot describe my relief that they all were there and I had DONE IT!! phew!! Now all that was left for me to do, was to enjoy the show and so I really did.
Rehearsal for FF
I couldn’t take it all in as this was a dream come true being in the BFC tents at Somerset House. I have worked at LFW shows before but never in the BFC tents and for me the BFC tents kind of “are” LFW, so it was pretty exciting!!
Rehearsal for FF
With Peaches Geldof on the front row, a line up of stunning models and a beautiful collection the show was a mighty success.
Amber Le Bon on the catwalk for FF
Once the show had finished I went backstage to congratulate Dani and Annette Felder and their stylist Jo, and we somehow all ended up in a group hug (!!!!) with Dani shouting ‘Dream Team!’ It was so nice to feel part of this amazing show and such an honour to represent the casting agency on my own, at my first show of my first proper season! I left Somerset House with a massive smile on my face, and cannot wait to return!!
However today 33 Portland Place was housing Simone Rocha’s show, her first solo show. I assisted with counting in the models and making sure they made it to hair and make up. I helped myself to some gorgeous Pret Brekkie (they had bought a variety of croissants in bulk!! Heaven!) After a great breakfast it was time to get serious and things got quite tense trying to work out the timings.
