Part 1 – Berlin Fashion Week – Fitting and other Troubles
Day ONE of an exciting week has begun and a million things have to be got under control. A fashion week is a genuine adventure, and it really helps if you know how to improvise and help yourself…
The Fitting for the Show
We arrived Tuesday around five o’clock in the afternoon at the Kosmos in Berlin where the Lavera Fashion Shows would take place from Wednesday 6th to Friday 8th July. The show of my designer is scheduled at 8 pm on Wednesday. On Tuesday we saw our twenty models and had a measly 90 minutes for the fitting of these girls. 9 o’clock in the evening and twenty models out of control – no concentration, no engagement, no discipline. They had had a long day and were tired like everybody else but nevertheless, you expect them to be a bit more professional.
Eventually, I could understand why people in this business tend to treat models like wardrobe hangers. As a designer, you are so focused on your collection, your show, your job – you have neither the time nor the energy to make everybody feel comfortable and happy. It is a stressful time…
Get everything into one Car
This day, Chantal – she is the assistant of my designer – and I did arrive at the Kosmos with all our luggage right from the airport, and short before midnight we had to pack the whole collection and fit four people, our luggage, all the clothes and bits and pieces into one car and return to the hotel to spend a short night’s sleep. Let’s put it this way: Chantal and I shared one seat in the back of the car. The rest of the space was occupied by the whole runway collection – it was fun!
A short night and a nice Surprise
After just a few hours sleep, day TWO arose – the day of the show! First thing in the morning we had to have a cup of coffee. On our way to the showroom in the Adlon Hotel, right at the Brandenburger Tor, we looked out for a breakfast bar. Needless to say that we failed to find one – so, eventually we decided to have a latte macchiato and a fruit salad at the Adlon – open air with a great view of the Brandenburger Tor just a few steps away. Very much like tourists, we had to take some pictures of this scenery. And while we were waiting for our coffee, we enjoyed “people watching”. It was really entertaining to have a look around and spot the best dressed person and the worst dressed person, and Marc Jacobs… MARC JACOBS! Chantal and I were so surprised but – of course – we knew that he would participate as a special guest at the IMG Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, and – of course – where else would he stay but the Adlon, this prestigious hotel!
I managed to get a shot of him without bothering him – I was pleased!
The Show to come…
We spent the morning in the showroom, and around noon Alexandra (my designer) had to leave for the rehearsals. Our twenty girls had to walk over the runway according to the music, and she had to check again if all of them were really suitable for our show.
And then, in the early evening, we all arrived at the Kosmos and prepared the clothes and accessories and shoes for the runway show…