Day 3 is when the first two L’Oreal Paris Runway shows begin and that just means one thing for me. Hello backstage!

I’m incredibly lucky to be given backstage access for every runway show. This means I get to see the very talented makeup artists, hairstylists, nail experts, admin staff and so on at work. This is where the magic begins. So much hard work goes into creating the 7 amazing looks L’Oreal makeup director, Rae Morris, came up with (by the way, the giveaways I’ve been doing based on those runway looks, these are exactly what the makeup artists are re-creating for each runway show).

Speaking of Rae Morris, I got to see her in action and it was like watching a master at work. The film crew was also backstage filming her create the look for Runway 01, and as she’s working, she’s just spewing tips. No really. Every time she did something, like apply primer on the model’s face, applying bronzer, lipstick and so on, you get a few tips from her on what to do to enhance your appearance simply with makeup alone. I’ll share those tips with you in a separate post. There are too many to mention here. Okay maybe just one. When you’re contouring your face with bronzer, don’t do the fish face. It makes the contouring look unnatural. Just a couple of flicks with a flat brush downwards from your ears to your cheeks, and you’re done! Words from the master here, people. Words from the master.

I managed to film the entire process as the film crew was also filming. I’m not too savvy with videos so I’ll see if the raw footage I took is suitable to be posted here or just use the properly sound-and-light edited ones L’Oreal will be providing (it was very noisy in the room). If not, at least I’ll be showing you the bloopers. Rae has given us the green light to show you bloopers. “Oh show ’em, I don’t care!” Classy lady, that one. 😛

I took heaps of photos backstage but I reckon I’ll do a separate post for you just on what goes on backstage instead of adding them in my recaps. There’s just so much going on backstage; adding them in recaps just doesn’t seem to do them justice.

We couldn’t spend very long backstage as the space was very limited (I had to plaster myself against the wall lest I get in anyone’s way). Soon after, we headed down to the VIP bar for a drink before the first runway show began.

Josh Goot

Carla Zampatti

Collette Dinnigan, Maticevski and Willow

The first show started off with Josh Goot. The designers featured in Runway 01’s show (presented by Vogue.com.au) were Josh Goot, Akira, Carla Zampatti, Collette Dinnigan, Maticevski, Scanlan & Theodore and Willow. My favourite from Runway 01 was Carla Zampatti’s. There was so much texture – animal print, lace, leather and silk. It was initially just lots of black and white, but ended with a bright orange lace gown. Beautiful.

Bianca Spender

Scanlan & Theodore

Kate Sylvester, Leona Edminston and Lisa Ho

Runway 02 was presented by InStyle (free mag FTW!) and this time, it had designers like Bianca Spender, Camilla, Kate Sylvester, Leona Edminston, Lisa Ho and Morrison. My favourites from were Bianca Spender and Lisa Ho. They weren’t the typically only-suitable-for-runway pieces but very consumer-worthy. As in “Phwoar look at that coat and dress, I can easily wear it to work!“.

Camilla’s pieces were very interesting. Typically of Camilla Franks’ style, there were heaps of colour, prints, jewellery (big-ass nose rings!), etc. I highly enjoyed the outfits as the models sauntered down the runway.

Camilla

That’s it for Day 3! Day 4 will be two more runway shows and I can’t wait to get backstage again. Ground control to Major Tom, yo. 😛

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My Experience of Day 3:

There’s no doubt about it, the backstage access was the best experience of the runway shows so far. Seeing these beauty experts at work is like watching craft masters creating pieces of art. Oh there’s shouting, all right. Lots of shuffling, lots of “oi keep the noise down, we’re trying to film here!“. 😛

Like I mentioned above, I found a wall and stuck to it most of the time. I weaved in and out of the crowd to snap pictures here and there but got back to my wall as soon as I was done. It was a good wall because it was right in front of Rae Morris. 😉

Oh, and I saw models eating. These very slim and tall models were eating wraps from takeout boxes. Ahh bless them, it’s good to see them eat. I didn’t have to go all Asian auntie on their asses and say “you need some food in you, you’re too skinny!“. 😛

So far, the experience backstage was good. I wasn’t asked to sod off (yet). I asked for permission to snap pictures from every makeup artist I meet (it’s appreciated) and just do very quick snaps before moving on. The key thing is just to get the hell out of their way and everything will be good. I love it!

The runway shows were just as good as the opening event. Lots of very pretty clothes to see. Seeing the immaculate hair and makeup on runway just gives me such a buzz, so imagine how the makeup, hair, nail artists feel when they see their hard work paying off on the runway.

Sitting front row meant we get to take goodie bags home with us (usually L’Oreal goodies). After every show, I give mine to the hotel receptionist. Thought they might like a bit of LMFF action too! 😀