Fashion Week’s backstage area is one of the most vibrant and stimulating parts of the fashion industry. While the runway is the main attraction, the fashion models wear behind the scenes is gaining popularity in its own right. For this season, models will be wearing clothing that reflects a comfort-based, minimalist and laid-back concept that is blended seamlessly together. Here, we will take a look at what models have been sporting while getting ready for Fashion Week and how these styles are quickly becoming a part of a model’s identity.
Athleisure On the Rise for Models Backstage
Athleisure has been one of the biggest themes this season with models. Models are extremely busy and they are moving frequently, therefore they require comfort. Models predominantly wear the following types of clothing:
• Oversized hoodies and sweatshirts
• Crop tops and fitted sports bras
• Soft leggings and loose-fit joggers
• Muted colours such as black, grey and beige
These styles allow models to remain comfortable while appearing put together at all times. The athleisure movement has become the unofficial uniform for models backstage.
Minimalist Street Style Fashion
Minimalist street style fashion dominates the runway. Models are routinely seen wearing:
• plain tank tops or plain T-shirts
• straight leg denim/straight leg cargo pants
• matching skirt and top
• classic white sneakers or chunky slip-on shoes
“Effortless” cool is the goal of the style. Backstage, where you want to look polished but relaxed, you accomplish this through the use of plain/neutral colours and clean lines.

Efficient Accessories Backstage
Efficiency back stage is important, so models prefer functional accessories like:
• tote bags (or mini backpacks)
• cross body bags
• silk scrunchies+hair clips/head bands
Using these accessories, models move quickly and feel able to express personal style.
Back-stage natural beauty looks have been typical for many years.
Models enter the back stage area with a fresh face, natural skin and little or no make-up on their face. To ensure that models can be prepared quickly, it is important to have hydrated skin and minimal make-up on the model.
The common supplies found in back stage beauty kits include:
• Hydrating Mists
• Lip Balm
• Under-eye Gel Patch/Sticker
With these products, the make-up artist is able to apply make-up to the model’s face that appears to be fresh and has a clean palette on which to create the model into a runway look.
Crews will also wear comfortable footwear when working at the back stage area; therefore, comfortable footwear is important. The crew member will normally wear:
• Sneakers
• Slides
• Soft Slip-ons
High-heels are for the runway; however, backstage at a show, comfort comes first.
Conclusion: The Essence of Backstage Model Fashion
Back-stage model fashion represents the practical aspect and modern style of the model with respect to their ability to maintain their fashion edge while remaining physically comfortable. The model has a lot of options available to her in the form of clothing, from workout and athletic clothes to casual and street clothes and light weight jewelry. Therefore, even though the model may not be on stage, her back-stage fashion demonstrates that a soft or subdued look can still communicate a very strong style message.
