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Sneak peek: The madness behind the calm at LFW

March 16, 2014 18:05 IST

Rajesh Karkera offers these fascinating insights into all the backstage happenings at the Lakme Fashion Week.

Madness is really the only word to describe the scenes unfolding backstage at a fashion week.

There is, almost always, someone rushing, someone shouting out into an earpiece at someone and losing it.

But there are moments, brief moments, when all is calm.

This is one of them.

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Sneak peek: The madness behind the calm at LFW

March 16, 2014 18:05 IST

Then there are times when you want to just blow your lid, give it all up and walk away.

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Sneak peek: The madness behind the calm at LFW

March 16, 2014 18:05 IST

Even though you might at first think of this place as being disorganised and chaotic, the backstage is an almost zero error zone.

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Sneak peek: The madness behind the calm at LFW

March 16, 2014 18:05 IST

Entry is restricted and everyone knows exactly what they are doing.

Fashion industry's bitterest critics are bound to be amazed with the clockwork precision of this place.

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Sneak peek: The madness behind the calm at LFW

March 16, 2014 18:05 IST

For most part, the backstage area is a dimly lit place.

When they talk about people working away from the limelight, in the shadows, they mean it literally.

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Sneak peek: The madness behind the calm at LFW

March 16, 2014 18:05 IST

But it isn't as gloomy as you might want to believe.

The fashion week backstage is also a fun place. Or at least is fun to the people who know how to have it :-)

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Sneak peek: The madness behind the calm at LFW

March 16, 2014 18:05 IST

Each season brings in a batch of new models.

You meet new people, chat, make friends -- heck who needs Facebook if you're here?!

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Sneak peek: The madness behind the calm at LFW

March 16, 2014 18:05 IST

Oh come on, who are we kidding! What's a fashion show without a selfie on Facebook right? ;-)

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Sneak peek: The madness behind the calm at LFW

March 16, 2014 18:05 IST

Ah well…

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Sneak peek: The madness behind the calm at LFW

March 16, 2014 18:05 IST

When the runway isn't being floodlit for the show, it is being used for rehearsals.

Several designers demand multiple rehearsals. Some even more, causing inordinate delays.

The grand finale show especially, is almost always a couple of hours late.

Perfection? Vanity?

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Sneak peek: The madness behind the calm at LFW

March 16, 2014 18:05 IST

For anyone who’s given any sort of public performance, the defining moment is the one when you step out of the wings -- that one fraction of a second when you know you cannot turn back.

Seen here is Archana Akhil Kumar as she steps out tentatively on the runway.

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Sneak peek: The madness behind the calm at LFW

March 16, 2014 18:05 IST

Her make-up and hair done, a model awaits her turn to be dolled up.

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Sneak peek: The madness behind the calm at LFW

March 16, 2014 18:05 IST

Carol Gracias takes a moment from her crazy schedule to pose for us.

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Sneak peek: The madness behind the calm at LFW

March 16, 2014 18:05 IST

Penny for your thoughts pretty lady?

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Sneak peek: The madness behind the calm at LFW

March 16, 2014 18:05 IST

That right there is Clint Fernandes, one of India's highest paid make-up artistes who has no airs, no hang-ups and loves being in the trenches, his stature notwithstanding.

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Sneak peek: The madness behind the calm at LFW

March 16, 2014 18:05 IST

It isn't just the models who have long days, even the stage hands are at it from sunrise to way past most of our bedtimes.

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Sneak peek: The madness behind the calm at LFW

March 16, 2014 18:05 IST

Sucheta Sharma takes a moment out to pose for a photographer.

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Sneak peek: The madness behind the calm at LFW

March 16, 2014 18:05 IST

LFW veteran model Candice Pinto smiles as she and her colleagues seem to be keenly watching the runway proceedings.

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Sneak peek: The madness behind the calm at LFW

March 16, 2014 18:05 IST

The fashion week backstage is, in so many ways, the microcosm of the all the aspirations of young India. Dreams are made here, careers and lives too!

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Sneak peek: The madness behind the calm at LFW

March 16, 2014 18:05 IST

So you see why we love this place so much.

It is a fantastic place to be!

Besides the pretty girls and smashing hot boys, this is where you see some of the greatest names in the business at work.

It is fun too but when it’s go time, all smiles stop, sleeves are rolled and it’s down to business.

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