There is chaos backstage that is behind the perfection on the catwalk. This is something the public can not feel. However, at the moment when the models walk down the catwalk, any imperfection that was missed backstage is visible, whether it be mistakes by the designer, hair stylist, make-up artist or the model herself. According to the model Lidija Lesic, there is always a small positive nervousness by the organizers or designers themselves.



- I can understand the slight nervousness of those above us: the creators are afraid of criticism, they want everything to be the best. Some ask that we happy and perky, whilst other want us to be dead serious, some want us to walk fast and powerful, and there are those that want a slow and elegant walk – said Lidija. Panic reaches its peak backstage during the pauses, claims Lidija. This is because the entire look of the model needs to be changed in only a matter of minutes. It seems like the biggest battle is the one for your own pair of shoes, because it is this that determines the success of the walk, and security so that you do not “lose your head” on the catwalk. However, from the moment the model steps onto the catwalk, it is her aim to give everything of herself, even if her shoes are a size larger or smaller.



- A problem for all of us is time! We have very little, even though everyone on the other side is complaining that the pauses are too long. In those pauses that are “too long”, our look need to be changed totally… that is the problem. Panic breaks out amongst us models, the crowd backstage, one does not know which exit is her first, another has lost her shoes, a third cannot find her bra, sometimes even underwear goes missing, everything happens. However, when we walk out onto the catwalk, nobody knows about these problems. Nor can the problems be seen, because at that moment we are doing our jobs perfectly, and we are praying to God that we do not slip, because the catwalk is slippery, and if you get a pair of shoes that are a size larger or smaller that is a “winning combination”! – Says Lidija, describing the chaotic moments that occur during pause between shows that last only a few minutes.

Former Miss Croatia Aleksandra Grdic find fun in every new fashion show. When asked if there are tensions backstage Aleksandra answers:

- I have not had them. Everything is a thing of agreement. Girls gossip, babble. Sometimes the nervousness and crowd is some sort of positive adrenalin before walking out onto the catwalk.



In the world of fashion, there are famous stories about spoiled models that are a few hours late, those that request special treatment, but it seems that no models in Croatia can afford to have such requests. These claims were denied by Aleksandra, who confirmed that there are models like this in Croatia as well, but she considers this to be completely unprofessional.

- I have never rejected to wear a certain model. For me this is not professional. When I appear at fashion shows I am not presenting myself. I am presenting the creation of the designer. This is why I am surprised at how many girls reject to wear something too transparent, or too open. However, I do not think that the formula for success is wearing a swimsuit. It is important to be professional, and in that sense it is not an issue of nakedness or vulgarity. However, models in Croatia are not respected enough and poorly paid. This is probably why certain girls have this approach – says Aleksandra, shocked at the non-professionalism of some Croatian models.

Aleksandra also does not mind when makeup artists and hair stylists fuss around her, even though it is sometimes painful, and reveals that she always advocates and suggests smokey eyes. The secret of her beauty is vitamin additives, and good old olive oil for her food as well as her hair.



Fashion shows are there for the designers, so most of the stress and nervousness goes through them.

Designer Kristina Spirk claims that designers have a great approach towards models.

Even though it has never happened to her, Kristina is familiar with the fact that some models reject to wear certain creations. However, this is not what troubles the designers the most.

- Models do not come to try out the outfits beforehand. The fitting starts only six hours before the fashion show itself. This is a great problem with more complicated fashion shows. I experienced this problem myself at my last fashion show. When you ask somebody to try out a creation a few days before the show, you have time to correct the outfit. But sometimes everything is done at the last minute. The girls say that they are being paid too little for them to come a few days in advance. Backstage, everything is happy and chaotic, and the designers themselves are very nervous – says Kristina Spirk.

By organizing fashion events, Croatia wants to wake the sleeping fashion industry up. Whilst everything looks godlike from the front rows, backstage the models are fighting for shoes the right size, and the designers fight over trying their creations on world class models. Take a look at the chaotic scenes, behind the scenes from the Zagreb Fashion Week held a few days ago HERE.