Fashion shows have no shortage of incredible style moments on the runway, but backstage is often just as exciting. Usually, in the minutes leading up to a show, backstage turns into a bustling space filled with show producers, makeup artists, hair stylists, and of course the designers buzzing around to put the final touches on the collection. Luckily for us, photographers have captured countless photos of these exhilarating moments. From makeup artists applying out-of-this-world makeup to models posing in their intricately-designed outfits, here are some of the best backstage shots from 2023 fashion shows so far.
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Models posed in vibrant colours and bold prints backstage at Carolina Herrera’s Fall 2023 RTW fashion show in February.
Held in The Plaza Hotel’s ballroom, the opulent show was inspired by the iconic Empress Elisabeth of Austria, who ruled from 1854 until she was assassinated in 1898 on the banks of Lake Geneva. The collection featured jewel-encrusted two-piece sets, floral-printed skirts, and sculptural gowns.
Giorgio Armani never disappoints. For its Fall 2023 RTW runway show, the luxury brand looked to its beauty line for inspiration, pairing neutral tones, like beigey pinks and rosy blushes, with striking black. Titled ‘Cipria,’ which means face powder in Italian, the collection had an intimate feel to it.
The Italian design house is known for luxurious pieces that draw inspiration from unexpected places. Here, two models posed for the camera backstage before the brand's Fall/Winter 2023-2024 show started. One model is seen wearing a tailored white coat with a plaid skirt, while the other dons an oversized olive suit with orange-tinted glasses.
Model Irina Shayk is shown here backstage at the Victoria Beckham Fall/Winter 2023-2024 fashion show which was held at Val de Grace Catholic Church in Paris. The superstar hit the runway wearing a see-through floor-grazing black gown and a thick jacket paired with a matching handbag.
Tomo Koizumi dresses are what dreams are made of. Here, models smile backstage during the designer's Fall 2023 RTW Milan Fashion Week show dressed in the Japanese designer’s elaborately crafted pieces that feature layers and layers of colourful tulle.
The designer’s whimsical pieces are often crafted from innovative materials. “The company that I buy my organza from has invented a new 100-percent recycled version made from plastic bottles,” Koizumi told British Vogue back in 2021. “I also used deadstock silk kimono-fabric from a factory in Kyoto.”
During Milan Fashion Week, models posed backstage during the Philipp Plein Fall/Winter 2023-2024 fashion show wearing statement-making suits, ankle-length gowns, eye-catching denim creations, and intricately-designed beaded leopard print outfits, such as the one this model was seen wearing.
The beauty looks were also attention-grabbing at the luxury designer's Resort 2023 show. Here, a model sits tight backstage while a makeup artist applies neon eyeshadow and bold black eyeliner.
The nail art at the German fashion designer’s show was something to write home about, too. One model, pictured here, got their nails done in vibrant shades of pink, yellow, and green.
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Two models are pictured alongside each other while waiting to take the runway at the Ermanno Scervino Fall/Winter 2023-2024 fashion show during Milan Fashion Week. The collection was filled with padded shoulder overcoats, delicate slip dresses, and smooth leather bottoms, ranging from ivory white to lime green.
A model gets their hair and makeup done backstage at the Jil Sander Fall/Winter 2023-2024 Milan Fashion Week show. Featuring designs dreamed up by creative directors Luke and Lucie Meier, the collection featured sleeveless pastel-hued tops, sculptural butter yellow mini dresses, and unexpected accessories, such as an oversized zebra print tote bag.
When it came to hair and makeup for their Fall/Winter 2023-2024 show, Collina Strada decided to think outside of the box. Instead of the more traditional eye shadow, lipstick, and mascara combo, models donned animal-inspired prosthetics and pointed ears.
At Givenchy during its Fall 2023 RTW runway show, it was all about the details. Here, one model strikes a pose backstage wearing a sparkly green turtleneck dress, chrome-esque shades, and oversized white earrings with a matching choker necklace.
Known for her polished, vegan-friendly looks, Stella McCartney held her recent Fall 2023 RTW show at Manege Ecole Militaire in Paris, a military training facility. One model here is pictured backstage, waiting for the show to begin wearing a floor-length tartan coat and an oversized handbag. The collection this season was inspired by equestrian and military suiting, and its runway show featured wild horses and a horse whisperer.
Another Stella McCartney model strikes a pose backstage wearing a dalmatian-inspired printed coat and an untucked button-down blouse.
Punk was the name of the game when it came to Moschino’s Fall/Winter 2023-2024 fashion show held in February. Models walked the runway dressed in tweed skirt suit sets with a twist—some were accessorised with mesh underlayers while others were paired with spiked jewelry.
One model shows off their colourful jewelry, spiky hair, and black and pink outfit while standing backstage.
For Roberto Cavalli’s Fall 2023 RTW runway show, the luxury brand dressed models in head-turning denim looks with striking velvet accents. The design house’s creative director, Fausto Puglisi, shared with WWD that he looked to Cavalli’s early 2000s looks for inspiration.
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Other models wore embroidered lace looks matched with smokey eye makeup and bold shades.
This article originally appeared in Harper’s BAZAAR US.