Crafting Runways: The Unexpected Artistry in Dubai’s Model Management
The first time I attended Dubai Fashion Week, I was awestruck by the captivating glamour and sheer beauty coursing from the runway. The flawless models, the impeccable fashion, the breathtaking show, everything seemed nothing short of magic. Have you ever sat at a runway show and wondered about the golden threads of diligence that embroider such majestic tapestry?
Behind every strut down the runway, there lies an intricate politicking of management, logistics, and unadulterated grit. It is often surprising, even to seasoned industry professionals, just how much work and attention goes into managing a modeling agency. Dubai’s modeling industry, in particular, teems with a different aura of opulence and meticulousness.
The Casting
‘How do these entities, cloaked in such lofty mystique, select their talent?’ That is a question rumbling in many minds. The answer lies in an intricate process known as ‘casting’. The casting directors are the gatekeepers—stormy-eyed artisans crafting an ensemble of talent.
‘Good model or great model?’ A seemingly innocuous question with scalding weight. A good model possesses the features; a great model, the prowess to transcend the camera’s eye, connect with the audience, and personify the designer’s artistic intent. This delicate art of selection forms the very DNA of the modeling business.
Choreography of Lights and Shadows
Onwards, the focus shifts from pure talent to articulated elegance, the show’s beating heart. Within the heart, there resides the magic. ‘Where does this magic originate?’ An innocent enough query that uncovers another world entirely—the grand orchestra of stage, lights, music, and décor.
‘The stage is a concrete poem,’ observed a set designer once during my backstage tour at the Dubai Fashion Week. Indeed, the stage is a canvas where light draws shadows and music colors emotions. This intricate interplay etches the mood, slow-dances with the designs, and becomes an integral part of the fashion narrative. A task, though painstaking, when done right, evolves into a spectacle, ensnaring our senses and enfolding us in enchantment.
Final Flourish: The Event
And then, comes the day — lights are lit, music echoes, and the heart beats in sync with the model’s stilettos against the runway. I often say, ‘The show is like an iceberg, it’s glamour on the top, but what truly stays afloat, unseen beneath, is a behemoth of hard work and dedication.’
Every detail, from managing guest lists, dealing with excited fashion journalists, to ensuring a frictionless transition between different segments, requires deft handling. A coordinator’s worth manifests in the ability to resonate order through the chaos — a skill honed by experience and tempered by adversity.
The final bow, the cloud of applause, the moment it all comes together, it’s exhilarating, making the countless hours, unending dedication, and tireless effort worthwhile. By nightfall, as the shimmering lights dim, and make-up vanishes, tired smiles linger, knowing the artistry woven into every fabric of the event.
Every Show, a New Story
As every story has a unique narrative, every fashion show has its distinct personality. The unwavering commitment to crafting that unique voice for each show is the trademark of Dubai’s modeling industry. Lustre fades, but artistry endures. Remember this magic the next time you find yourself amidst the dazzle of a fashion show.