How Does it Feel: LMFF Independent Runway

I don’t go to a lot of fashion shows, but when I turned up at LMFF Independent Runway and got seated in the second row, I was pretty happy. There's much more pressure being in the front row, especially with the overwhelming urge to stick a leg out. I thought the fashion crew would be more intense, but I ended up sitting next to an anthropology student who was there as a social experiment. Not wanting to go into that, I focused on my fourth complimentary chinotto, and making eye contact with people I thought I knew. One guy turned out to be an actor from that show House Husbands. I also sighted Toadie from Neighbours, who doesn't seem as loveable having lost the puppy fat.

The sound system was impressive. I think it's fair to say that the more fashion the event, the louder the music has to be. Models walking down a runway to electronic music can only be so interesting. Having said that, laser lights and brief flashes of side-boob provided added excitement. Also, the majority of the crowd were on their phones, or taking snaps on their Canon G12s for their fashion blogs. World's End Press opened the show but only stayed on for one song, which seems extravagant.

There was some commotion when a woman got ejected for throwing a glass of champagne onto festival chairperson Laura Anderson. She was losing it when each designer came on (Zhivago was her favourite, judging by the level of her wooo's) and must have flung it on her by accident. Security was surprisingly rough with her, but some leather surprisingly isn't waterproof.

I spoke to some people after the show.

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Tiffany - Blogger

How does it feel?

It's exciting. It's nice to see it in such a huge venue this year.

What was your highlight?

I liked Karen Walker as well as Leonard Street with the cute backpacks.

Tell me about your handbag.

It's my pet (laughs). It's fluffy. I can't actually have a cat in my apartment so…

Julian

How does it feel?

It was very comfortable. The seating that is. It was a bit squishy between the people though.

Who'd you like the most?

Kuwaii. I was kind of bored for a lot of the rest actually.

The sound system is pretty good. You could really feel that bass kick.

Oh yeah when Karen Walker started it was like whoa I'm in a club!

Gadir & Zach - Models

You guys are on the runway tonight. How does it feel?

Zach: It just feels like you're walking down the street.

Gadir: Like walking down the street with really good lighting, and heaps of people watching you.

Does the music help?

Gadir: Yeah. It's shit when there's really slow music.

Zach: Walking slow is hard.

Do you ever get scared that you'll screw up your walk?

Gadir: It's pretty scary, you know walking in a straight line.

Was there a point in your life where you realised you were really good at walking in front of people?

Gadir: The first time I was really nervous. You keep doing it and I guess you get a bit of a rush. It's like performing in front of people. Like putting on a persona.

Is it frantic backstage?

Gadir: Yeah it's retarded.

Is everybody naked?

Gadir: Yeah as soon as you turn the corner it's just clothes off. Tits everywhere.

Do you have to pretend you're not looking at all the girl models?

Gadir: Yeah. And sometimes it's really awkward.

The owner of the Dulux dog wouldn't speak to us for contractual reasons, but we were allowed to talk to one of the Dulux girls.

Simone - Dulux Girl

Hey! How does it feel?

It's pretty exciting. This is my first night doing this actually. I haven't been able to see any of the runway shows yet.

Is that your real hair?

No it's a wig. My hair's tied up.

Do you feel self-conscious doing this sort of work?

I do a little. But it helps to be wearing a wig and this outfit. You feel like a different person.

What do you do other than this?

I study speech pathology and work at Pumpkin Patch. I want to work with kids in the future.

Bebe D & Sylvie G - Under age Models

How does it feel? Do you get nervous before shows.

Sylvie: Yes. It's always a bit scary in front of people. Concentrating on keeping your body shape right.

It's probably the most stressful walking situation you could be in.

Sylvie: Yeah you have to make it look really easy.

Bebe: But it's a lot of fun. There's nothing I could really think of that's more fun.

Are your friends at school jealous?

Sylvie: Some of them don't know. It might be a bit difficult to tell them.

Bebe: We don't like to broadcast it. We share it with each other.

Are your parents supportive, or do they just think it'll lead to a life of champagne and drugs?

Sylvie: They're supportive but Mum's really worried about what I'll do in my GAP year. She's like, “but don't do drugs!” I'm not really like that though.

What do you do when you get approached by older guys?

Bebe: I just say that I'm 15.

Sylvie: We'll be at openings and they'll be offering us things being like, “why not?” We just say that we're not quite 18 yet and run away.

Liz Cambage - Really tall Australian Basketball player

How does it feel?

Oh so many shows! I've been here like every night. It's been the longest week ever. But I love it.

(Looking at her wristguard) Is that a fashion accessory?

No I injured myself on the field!

It was pretty much impossible to ask Liz any more questions as people threw themselves at her for photos.

John - World's End Press

How has tonight been for you?

My strangest experience for the night was when I went to pat the cute looking Dulux dog. All of a sudden three good looking drones were around me and I'm staring at the camera getting photos taken of me with a dumbfounded expression. All in the space of like 15 seconds.

We tried to talk to the owner, but she wouldn't let us.

I went for a pat on the head and she was like, “under the neck, under the neck.”

How did the show feel?

Well aside from it only being 4 minutes long, it still felt weird. But in the best possible way. It was a novel experience.

Did it feel like people were staring you down?

No it was the reverse. It was a rare occasion where the attention isn't directed at you. There are people upstaging you, because they're 6 foot 4 and wearing expensive clothes.

Previously - How Does It Feel: Melbourne University O-Week

@karlhenkell