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"PinterestFacebookJohn Galliano Backstage at Paris Women&amp;#39;s Ready To Wear fashion shows Spring Summer 2009 Collections. Paris Pret a porter.\nPHOTO: Copyright Mark LeibowitzOur amazing fashion week photographer Mark Leibowitz is having an exhibition in NYC this week that features some of his stunning shots from backstage at the John Galliano runway show. The shots are electric, moody and filled with candy-colored hues--as every fashion day dream should be. Since his work allows him an up-close-and-personal perspective on those glitzy, high-fashion moments, we asked him to talk about what it&amp;#39;s * really* like to work with runway models, season after season. Trust me, some of his insights may surprise you...\nPinterestFacebookJohn Galliano at Paris Fashion Week. Fall/Winter 2008 Collections.\nPHOTO: Copyright Mark LeibowitzPlume__5 Things You Might Not Know About Runway Models (Courtesy of Mark Leibowitz): __\n1. While their lives may seem glamorous, models get homesick sometimes too.\n*Most models at the shows are between 15 and 23 years old. For many, it&amp;#39;s their first time away from home and while mom or dad may join them on the road (Chanel Iman&amp;#39;s mother went with her to almost every show this season), it&amp;#39;s a long time to be away from your own bed and a home-cooked meal. As for me, I&amp;#39;m 32 and still miss my mom, dad, sister and dog when I&amp;#39;m on the road (a month straight) for the shows. *\n__2. Models have names--and it&amp;#39;s not Honey, Sweetie or Lovely __\nThis may seem obvious but in the backstage scene, some people overlook this. I&amp;#39;d actually say that well over 50% of the time, models are just referred to as &amp;quot;sweetheart,&amp;quot; &amp;quot;darling,&amp;quot; or some variation. I make an effort to learn everyone&amp;#39;s name. After all, which would you prefer: &amp;quot;Charlotte, may I please take your picture&amp;quot; or &amp;quot;Hey sweetie! We&amp;#39;re gonna shoot some pics of you now, K?&amp;quot;\n3. We might think they&amp;#39;re flawless, but they&amp;#39;ve got insecurities like the rest of us.\nBackstage at Paul &amp;amp; Joe several of the models were in cute, but short skirts. They tugged self-consciously every thirty seconds as the hemlines refused to stay down. And I&amp;#39;ve seen more than a few models&amp;#8212;after scraping off their thick runway makeup&amp;#8212;apply a little zit-hiding concealer or foundation before going out in public.\n__\n4. Modeling is really hard on your feet but they take it in stride.__\nWhile I personally have not tried walking down a lacquered runway in 5-inch heels that are two sizes too small for my feet, I can image it must be pretty painful. At a recent show here in Paris the factory made a &amp;quot;small mistake&amp;quot; and all of the girls shoes were cut two sizes to small for them. Watching them run to the closest chair to take the shoes off afterward, I could see the anguish on their faces.\n__\n\nIt&amp;#39;s not as catty and competitive as it&amp;#39;s portrayed.__\n\nMost of the models I know develop a quick camaraderie with each other and welcome new girls to their ranks---and there&amp;#39;s no mean-girl hazing involved. I believe most models remember the feeling of their first season and take the newbies under their wings. During the chaos and frenzy of fashion week it&amp;#39;s nice to see them support and care for one another.\nPinterestFacebookJohn Galliano Backstage at Paris Women&amp;#39;s Ready To Wear fashion shows Spring Summer 2009 Collections. Paris Pret a porter.\nPHOTO: Copyright Mark Leibowitz*Revolution *\nSee, told you they were refreshing! And speaking of...the proceeds from Mark&amp;#39;s gorgeous shots will go to benefit The African Millennium Foundation, a non-profit which supports social and economic empowerment strategies for African woman, and B Lab, a corporate accountability organization. Mark&amp;#39;s exhibition travels to San Franciso next, so West Coasters should keep an eye out! For more info, check out Mark Leibowitz Backstage.\nWhich shot do you like best? Do any of the factoids about the backstage scene surprise you? Do you get a kick out of seeing backstage photos? (I do!)\nPhotos: Mark Leibowitz"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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