The Creativity Behind The Curtain...

In the high-intensity world of fashion shows, so much preparation goes into readying a model for the catwalk. Mirroring the stage’s elegance is a delicate choreography backstage consisting of makeup teams, hairstylists, wardrobe assistants, designers, and countless others preparing each model for their moments. Among those dedicated artists is Robert Fairer, our eyes into backstage beauty. As a photographer, his highly influential techniques launched and elevated backstage photography to a highly respected art form. His ability to improvise, communicate, embrace spontaneity, and capitalize on inspiration are essential lessons for any aspiring visual artist. Fairer’s “Unseen” series of books put these images in rich context and tell the full story of particular designer’s shows. President Paula Wallace sat with Fairer in London last November before a live audience to celebrate the launch of his latest photographic tome, “John Galliano for Dior.” The two explore Fairer’s decades of expertise, signals he’s created to direct his shots quickly, and all the candid authenticity of the fashion world’s heart.