Photographer Charlie
Kwai has captured our attention with his candid take on the
world around us. He’s given us an alternative peek at the
BAFTAs. Shown us a more eccentric side to
London (not that we didn’t appreciate London is quirky).
Now he’s giving us the raw and unpolished perspective of behind
the scenes at London Fashion Week. Not the ‘backstage’ glamour
we’ve come to expect, you understand. But the reality.
The frenzied atmosphere. Models captured taking a nap when they
can. The endless waiting between shows. Walking around barefoot
while toenails dry. It’s a fascinating insight into the world
we associate with perfect haute couture and polished beauty.
Commissioned by the British Fashion Council, Charlie was
invited backstage during the event in September and was given
free reign with his camera. “There wasn’t any strict brief so I
was free to photograph however I wanted,” explains Charlie.
“The freedom was amazing but working out what to shoot and how
to shoot it took a while to figure out.
“I photographed about 20 shows and they all ended up blurring
into one crazy week of 16 hour days and non-stop shooting.
There would have been a lot more recognisable faces if I knew
who anyone was too.”
All images courtesy of Charlie Kwai
