Backstage is where the magic happens
Four of fashion’s most celebrated hairstylists and makeup artists revisit the unforgettable moments and larger-than-life personalities that defined the 90s, while photographer Robert Fairer’s backstage images offer a rare glimpse into fashion’s unseen world. “Gaining access backstage felt like discovering an entirely new world,” Fairer says. “Everything was new to me: an entirely new fashion landscape viewed from the wings.”
I remember one show vividly — it was a Versace show when Gianni Versace was still alive. I was spraying the girls’ hair with canned hair color, giving it a punk vibe, and Kristen McMenamy decided to take a can and spray all over me with the hair color in the middle of the girls getting ready to walk.
GUIDO, HAIR STYLIST
Now there’s been many! But one that comes to mind is the infamous Vivienne Westwood show where Naomi Campbell topples from her outrageous heels. Yasmin Le Bon and I were watching from backstage, and like the true icon she is, Naomi just bounced right back up with her charming smile and we all loved her the more for it. I did have a moment where I thought ’is the wig staying on?
SAM MCKNIGHT, HAIR STYLIST
One of the most important lessons I learned, and which should be passed on, is: It’s wonderful to have lots of great ideas, but they don’t necessarily all have to go on the one face. One strong statement can win the race.
VAL GARLAND, MAKEUP ARTIST
My favorite part of being backstage in the 90s was the friendly banter and conversations backstage between the beauty teams and the models. There were no cellphones so people actually spoke and joked and laughed with each other. Today, oftentimes when a model sits in your chair a few sentences might be exchanged and then they start looking at their phone and communication stops.
ORLANDO PITA, HAIR STYLIST
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