The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2020 - Issue 27

Putting it all together to fit the models and the clothing style can be a little bit more complicated. There are things to consider, such as how many times the same model will catwalk for, how many design- ers she will be representing, and what are the chances of a make-up and hair change during the catwalk. After going back and forth with details and changes, the make-up and hair students choose their favourite looks and we finally agreed the final few. One of the most difficult times during a catwalk is speed. Both make-up and hair need to work fast to make sure every- body is ready on time before the trial, and it must be well applied, to stay on properly until showtime. It is a matter of having the right equipment and tools for each student, and the hope that everyone turns up on time for fittings, make-up, and hair. The Day of the Catwalk After long consideration, the organisers and I agreed to meet early afternoon to allow any issues or delays to run smoothly. Once we arrived at Imperial College’s show floor, we set up the make-up and hair room, with tables, mirrors, equipment, and chairs to carry out our part of the work. One by one, the models arrived, and students started to organise themselves as each of them had a specific look to carry out on each model, alternating hair and make-up according to availability and the designers’ fittings. Photographers were busy sorting out lighting out on the stage while capturing their snaps between changes. Despite the rush, last-min- ute changes, swapping around, new adjustments, it felt like a classic catwalk madhouse. It is quite fascinating how everything suddenly fell into place, and before you know it, it was time to start. After a quick last-minute rehearsal, touching up, rush, ready or not, it was showtime. The Show The hall was very busy, with all the invited waiting for the show to start. As always, all catwalks are fashionably late, and it was just after 8.00pm that the music finally started. It is such an adrenaline rush because this was the moment that everybody has been preparing and waiting for. For me, this is the best part: the anticipation. The show was fun and very entertaining, a delightful combination of students showing off their talent with singing groups, a dance troupe, music, and catwalk in between. The model students did an amazing job of learning to catwalk on the day and they really walked their looks well. Before you knew it, the show was over, and it was time to relax, knowing everything went well and looked great. The only thing left was to get ready for the traditional after-party. But that is another story. Special thanks to all the Hair and Media Make-up students at South Thames College that took part, and a massive round of applause to the students at Imperial College, the organisers, photographers, vol- unteers, and all the people involved that worked together to achieve such a great event. www.south-thames.ac.uk/courses/hair-beauty-and-aesthetics www.clientearth.org bite charity event