woof: NYFW Is over...

Here are some of the photos I shot backstage. This is my second time I've shot backstage during fashion week and I have mixed feelings about it. Overall, I enjoy the spontaneity of this style of shooting, and experiencing the excitement backstage before a show starts. However, at times I felt like a paparazzi and a lot of the other backstage photographers come off as being sleazy. Most of the time I felt bad for the models because here I was, an annoying photographer, trying to take pictures of them while they were getting ready to walk the runway. Usually, I was the only photographer ( as well as photographers from Dazed and Confused) not using a ridiculous flash set-up. I like to capture moments without telling models to pose because I am interested in capturing an unguarded moment. If a model chooses to make a face or look in my direction I don't mind, but I never tell them what to do.

Sometimes it was difficult to shoot backstage because of all the other photographers and videographers all over the place. In addition to this, there were times that the PR people restricted my access to shooting. There is one guy WHOM I WILL NOT MENTION that was a complete jerk. He would tell me I had to stand in a particular spot, while other photographers were allowed to roam freely. Basically, towards the end of fashion week I became tired of dealing with bad attitudes and insecure people with headsets. On the other hand, I am grateful that I had the opportunity to experience 13 shows. In the end the experience of being backstage ended up being positive for me because of the excitement and close contact with FASHION.

This first hand look into fashion, which I experience for the first time back in September has actually changed my perspective on the fashion world. Specifically, the show Threeasfour really opened my eyes to the complex nature of Fashion. I've always been skeptical and easily annoyed with the fashion world due to it's shallow facade. But after seeing that show, I realized fashion can and is about so much more than looking pretty. It is about a performance and expression of a vision. A runway show is something that allows a designer to give viewers a look at his, or her vision. Not only did the shows change my opinion of fashion but the characters attending the shows really impacted me. I've seen everyone from celebrities, editors, bloggers, and socialites--the smallest percentage of people who live/create the life of 'fashion.' Their passion for fashion is contagious. I should be specific and point out that a passion for fashion is much more than what it seems-- a strive for perfection, innovation, creativity and so much more. Overall, when fashion and art come together magic happens. This magic, or parallel universe, as unattainable as it may seem, makes life interesting and pushes boundaries of style and culture.

I guess what I am really trying to say is, I'm starting to understand what all the fuss is about. Of course there are positive and negative features of the environment which surrounds fashion, but I'm appreciating the positive and wish never wake up from the dream that is fashion.

Click 'Read more' to see the photos I shot :)

Richard Chai: