Pre-sunrise call times, nightly hair-washing sessions and longgg waits before shows — the life of a model is a lot less glamorous than it looks from the outside, and fashion week is peak proof of that.
We asked seasoned pro and another of our backstage besties, Zara Sykes to give us a behind-the-scenes look at what fashion week is really like from a model's perspective. Armed with her digi point-and-shoot (and what we can only assume is a bag full of snacks and minimal hours of sleep), she took us along for the ride — call times, chaos and everything else that comes with it for Aotearoa's busiest week of kākahu.
Name: Zara
Star sign: Aquarius
Favourite part of being at fashion week? And least fave?
My favourite part has to be getting to spend so much time with all my friends within the industry and slowly losing it together by the end of the week. Least fav WASHING MY HAIR EVERY SINGLE NIGHT!
What’s something about the week that would shock someone outside the industry?
I CAN THINK OF SO MANY THINGS but I’d say people get pretty shocked on how much time goes in before shows. Call time can range from 3-5 hours before the show. As well how early it can be, for example Zambezi was 6AM call time!!!
Which show was your favourite to walk in?
That’s so hard to pinpoint as each show is so special and unique in their own way but Juliette Hogan really sticks out to me. I always love working with the team, truly the SWEETEST PEOPLE and so well organised!! Like the only show I’ve ever done where we can do a whole shoot before and STILL have so much extra time. There was also such a strong elegance and divine beauty about the whole show from the collection, hair & make up to the set of the runway. I ABSOLUTELY LOVED MY DRESS and was so lucky to wear it again for the opening of the last show.
How do you decompress after such a busy week?
Mmmm A DRINK!! I’m gonna be so real by the last show I was READY for a good night out. Like a whole night of dancing with friends is what I was craving, to which is probably the exact opposite for others.
Photos: Zara Sykes
Features Editor: Chloe Hill
