Backstage at Giles SS16

I have exciting news to report. Not the usual level of excitement, like getting free shampoo from the beauty cupboard clear out. No, I mean real news. I'm freelancing at The Sun for a few weeks over the fashion week period, and today I was sent on an assignment that actually has something to do with fashion. Again, I don't mean buying safety pins from John Lewis for the stylist's prop kit. I mean.. I was sent backstage at the Giles SS16 show to get all the behind-the-scenes pictures of the models getting ready for their moment in the spotlight. 

I wasn't really there in a fashion capacity, more beauty as the clothes were tightly off limits until showtime. Instead, I was there for the hair and make up prep. The models came in fresh from a rehearsal, some still sporting make up from a previous show, and were immediately swamped by a huge team of maestros from Toni & Guy. Prior to this all the other members of the press and I had been waiting around for 25 minutes or so, strangely quiet [and it being my first time] I was wondering what all the fuss was about. Within 30 seconds of the models appearing all hell broke loose; it suddenly felt as if there were twice the number of people in the room, there was barely space to take snaps with an iPhone. 

I managed to get a few before I had to dash off though. Apologies for the amateur photography, I only had an iPhone and a shaky hand!

Where it all begins, with a plethora of MAC beauty products

The Brit beauty, Edie Campbell arrives for hair & make up

Georgia May Jagger being prepped for make up
[The swarm of professional photographers prevented me from getting any closer!]

Backstage went from 0 to 60 in under a minute

Absolute supers Alek Wek and Erin O'Connor having a pre-show catch up
[I am secretly quite pleased with this quiet moment that I captured]

The models promptly took their seats in order and a row of H&MU artists did their magic

The iconic Eva Herzigova arrives

The original Wonder [Bra] Woman having her make up expertly applied

Lily Donaldson arrived sporting, bizarrely, a black pencilled on moustache which was promptly wiped off
[This one's a personal fave as I've been following Lily Donaldson's modelling since we were both teenagers]

Sadly I had to dash off before the show, so I only got to see the finished article via instagram- but each and every model looked gorgeous, of course. My first foray into the world of backstage at LFW was really quite exciting [after all the waiting around] and something I hope to have the opportunity to do again!