Behind the Seams

Since the twice-annual fashion showcases in New York, Milan, Paris and London can only fit a few dozen designers into a week-long event, there is now a fashion week staged somewhere in the world every month in the calendar year. Poking around behind-the-scenes is good exercise for photo-narrators. Though I shot this essay with the intention of getting it published in its entirety, a travel magazine editor took 1/4 of it and made it a cover story–so I also shot the cover, not a bad compromise.

Warm-up Walk: Former Miss Universe contestant LaToya Woods rehearses her gazelle-like stride in a hotel’s lobby to deliver a dramatic finale for a resort collection.

Fierce Fit: New York-based model Michelene Auguste is fitted at Meiling’s salon three days before showtime.

Eye for Detail: Elaborate stitching incorporated into versatile cotton blouses for a ready-to-wear collection requires concentration and steady hands.

Knit Pick: Model Ryan Rock (left) clowns around with Queen Esther of Kuumba Designs during a fitting for her delicate needlework creations.

Tailored Touch: Menswear designer Gregory Mills of Millhouse angles to drape one of his elegant jackets on a mannequin in his Belmont studio and store.

Soca Boat: Soca superstar-turn-children’s clothing producer Machel Montano frolics with some of the models on a pre-show cruise down the islands.

Oil Down: Model Mikhail Ragoonanan gets a coat of sheen to amplify his runway-ready torso on day three of the shows.

Hair This: Celebrated stylist Ashvin Bally (far right) and his team weave and tease tresses.

Timed Steps: Stage manager Alyson Brown times the round-trip runway strut; each designer gets 10 minutes to execute their wow!

Rock the Runway: Hand-painted designs by Heather Jones were among the 37 collections exhibited at the second annual Fashion Week Trinidad & Tobago.