As you’d imagine, there’s a lot that goes into creating a runway show at fashion week. From casting models to finalizing looks, there’s a great deal of arduous planning and continual shifting that takes place before models hit the catwalk. To give us all a behind-the-scenes glance at the process for the week leading up to their NYFW show, Ryan Lobo and Ramon Martin of Tome documented their days of meetings and fittings. Here, the design duo shares what really goes down before showtime at fashion week.
6 Days Till Showtime
"A little less than a week before the show, we return to the inspirations of the collection and to our guiding lights—female artists—to make sure we have stayed true to the inspiration. Barbara Kruger, Mona Hatoum, Annie Lennox and Vivienne Westwood have all inspired the F/W 2016 collection. We always keep the mood board in sight throughout the months leading up to the show and yet are still always surprised how much of an influence it becomes."
5 Days Till Showtime
"Five days before the show, we line up the collection into looks. This order will keep morphing right up until the final lineup backstage at the show, but it is important to have a strong vision for the look and feel for the show ahead of time."
4 Days Till Showtime
"We visited the completed venue for the first time since we decided to move our show to 9am on Valentine's Day at Moynihan Station. Here we walk the space, plan the lighting and decide on seating. We also plan to place a rose on everyone's seat!"
3 Days Till Showtime
"We try to finalize our model list three days before with our casting director Adam Hindle, who also casts Christopher Kane in London and Isabel Marant in Paris. This is also an ongoing process that will take us right until late the night before the show when we fit our last girl, Irina Liss from The Lions, at 11pm."
2 Days Till Showtime
"With two days to go, our fittings begin with our stylist Ada Kokosar and team of assistants. The pieces of the puzzle and model order start to fall into place. This process—in addition to months of planning—makes the final vision become clear. Accidents often make the most beautiful outfits, so at this point we are open to all possibilities!"
1 Day Till Showtime
"The day before the show, we do a makeup test with MAC Cosmetics and the makeup maestro, Diane Kendal. We swiftly work through many ideas on our new favorite lady, Monica Tomas at Wilhelmina Models, and decide upon Swarovski crystal teardrops and eyeliner, and evil eyes painted on the chest and shoulder blades."
Day Of Show
"We pack up the collection at our Chelsea studio at 5am and transport it to the venue in Midtown. Backstage is always three hours of total chaos until the last girl walks the runway. Then we breathe easy again."
Day Of Show
"Our 28 ladies who present 38 looks are in final formation and getting last-minute adjustments to styling, hair and makeup. Sung Hee Kim and Irina Kravcenko at Women Management are now regulars on the Tome runway, and we try and work with them every season. We love our ladies to return as we believe in them."
Day Of Show
"The show is over, and it’s love and emotion all around! Big hugs for everyone backstage, and now time for a nap before our Valentine's Day party. Till next season!"
