All the charge, emotion and tension of back stage. The catwalk trials, the lights, blacks and whites, the smiles, the manicures, make-up.

Warm air.

The final moments before the girls come out. The packed venue, friends, hugs and embraces and the final touches while the models are lined up ready to go.

Darkness.

Light.

Music.

They’re off!

The photographers, the TV cameras, the reporters.

The first models come back in. They change in a rush. Flashes and flurries of confusion.

Final exit

Applause

Charge, energy, emotion.

Wow – thanks Ennio!

Check out the batch of photos shot backstage at the Paris Costume National Fashion Show: the models being made up by their make-up artists, hair stylists on the job, the press office busy with last-minute problems and things to organize, the reporters as they make notes and then there’s Lyne Desnoyers – the well-known make-up artist who talks about the make-up choices for the parade.

And all this while Ennio Capasa conducts a video conference on skype with one reporter who stayed behind in Milan.
You can find the entire album on Flickr.
 

Parigi, Rue Froissart,
Showroom Costume National

A round-up of pictures from Costume National’s showroom.
To discover the rest, do come along tomorrow! The venue is at ECOLE DE MEDECINE, 45 Rue Des Saints Peres, Paris at 2 pm and on our website from 7 pm onwards.

Have a look to all the pics on flickr
 

Inside the Via Fusetti showroom everything is ready for the fitting test. On one side each model is waiting for his turn while on the other Ennio is directing his staff as they make late adjustments to items and organize how the collection is going to be presented.

Ennio Capasa has always accustomed us to interpreting and analyzing his collections on two levels – the first, in which we notice costume National’s unmistakable lines, classic cuts and standard colours of his colour-palette: opaque tints, blue-black and every possible shade of grey – while our second reading, perhaps more attentive and discreet, lingers on the materials and details.

From behind the racks we can observe every little step needed to ensure the fashion show’s successful completion.

Each item passes back and forth from showroom to tailoring shop numerous times. After being tried out on the models and photographed, they end up on the parade board before finally being listed and packaged.

See all shots of the fitting on flickr

These guys move fast and they have to if they want to catch the right moment and immortalize that perfect detail. Backstage these are the people (that’s us, folks!) who are the most cumbersome and in-the-way.
Be careful not to disturb the right photo-op angle or stop us snapping the models just a few moments prior to their entrance onto the runway! In any case they’re the ones that always win!

Check out all the smiles, looks and shadows under the eyes (well hidden by
make-up) of Ennio Capasa’s crew. However every feeling of weariness
vanishes when they hear the ecstatic applause with which the public greets
the new collection. A job well done!
 

A TV camera fixed in position, a microphone for sound plus the yen to let everyone in on what’s going on. Watch proceedings back-stage at a fashion show – listen to the models’, team members’ and friends’ comments as each tells their own back-stage story and describes their feelings on the day – including mixed reactions to Ennio’s new look

A brutal and sudden decision – a clean break with the past. After twenty
years of sporting the same hair style, Ennio Capasa has opted for a
revolutionary new cut.
His unmistakeable silhouette with its rebellious forelock underwent a sea
change when the designer decided to get his hair cut during the Paris
fitting.

“In such a delicate time we need to push ourselves further. What could be
stronger than a process of self-renewal and a clean break with something
that has stayed the same for years?
So why now? Because I feel a strong desire for positive energy and a bold,
future-projected look. ”

When experienced from a back stage perspective, a fashion show can be a truly special and unique moment.

It’s pure energy, charge, rock’n roll.

It’s always fast, crowded and euphoric!

Everyone is galvanized by the desire and determination to show off the latest collection to the photographers and reporters at the venue; all are keen to reveal the results of so many hours work spent seeking out new tailoring cuts, fabrics and experimental ideas.

It’s all part wanting to showcase the immense creativeness driving the World of Costume National.

Freshness.

The desire to go further.

Unyieldingly projected towards the future.

9.00
Enzo arrives with the collection’s items and watches over them till his team turns up.

10.00
The first to arrive are two models together with the hair stylist and makeup artist, Sally Branka and Paul Hanlon. They bring with them all the tools they need and start to take notes from the photographs of the looks chosen the day before with Ennio.

10.15
The people responsible for finishing the final clothing items and getting them ready for the catwalk arrive.

10.30
The first wave of photographers is now back stage and slowly things begin to start up. A good, strong coffee in the buffet is a must!

11.00
Call time for the dressers though right up to a few minutes prior to the show they stay outside the back stage area. They’re really isn’t that much room.

12.30
Ennio makes his arrival. For those who weren’t here yesterday during fitting, his new look comes as quite a shock – to reporters too!

13.00
First interviews for Ennio with the reporters and first photographs with friends back stage: Eleonora Abbagnato, the soccer player Emmanuel Petit and wife, the model Maria Servello and the French actress Elodie Navarre.

Ennio presents all the collection’s novelties, talks of his inspiration, silhouettes, materials and the new CN iPhone plug-in.

13.45
The buyers and reporters start to take their places in the hall

14.15
The room is jam-packed

14.30
The music starts up.
Silence falls back stage.
Ennio checks the models one by one before they exit onto the catwalk.
The make-up artist and hair stylist are still working on the girls applying final touches and details.
Everyone has their eye on the CCTV screen with a direct view of the hall.

No let up, the rhythm is constant.

The first models come back in from the catwalk and dressers and staff are as quick as lightning to help them change. Those who have never seen what happens backstage at a show might think the whole scene is totally chaotic. Far from it! There is very little space and everyone in the time is highly focused: photographers and cameramen alike.

One girl is experiencing problems with a dress as some stitching has come undone. But in less than a minute it’s fixed! These things happen. In fact Ennio was up until three in the morning checking every piece, and making changes until he was completely satisfied.

He has been working on this collection for six months but true to his nature as the true creative he is, Capasa makes changes right up to the last moment!

The last model is back from the runway. The music changes and the final parade starts.

Ennio comes out.

Applause!

The tensions starts to die down – hugs all round.

The models thank Ennio and quickly change – there are other parades and commitments waiting for them.

The assistants and dressers rapidly gather up all the clothes and accessories. In fewer than five minutes everything has been packed away ready to be sent back to the showroom.

Back stage begins to fill up with reporters, onlookers and friends keen to congratulate Ennio.

Finally it’s time to relax with the cocktail!

Wow!!

Thank you Ennio for all the excitement and emotion!