Attack!

Ok, I'm putting my foot down! Models need an advocate, and I'm signing up! Not only is the average age of the catwalkers a mere 16 years old, but now the youngsters are being attacked backstage! Look at the photos of the prep they go through:

I keep seeing shots of this kind of backstage multi-tasking torture and I can't help but think that this has to be terrifying for the tall, skinny, women-children. They are at the center of a stylist swarm! I mean, how can that even be efficient? I feel like there are only so many hands that can fit on a head/face and still be able to do their thing the right way. The poor girls are being attacked! They endure this numerous, numerous times a day for a whole month. The models seem to just close their eyes and take it. This can't be good for them. Hmmm, maybe we could train this lady to do hair and makeup?

Then at least there would be less nostrils breathing on the models and just one friendly, non-frazzled face to stare into. (If only she was real...) Click that image to have your mind absolutely effing blown by the performance that picture comes from. Do it! Actually, just watch it here. It's amazing.

Hmph. I wish I had that many arms. Well, actually that may be a careful what you wish for kind of scenario.

Snap Flash.

David Yoder is a photojournalist who's images of bounty hunters, the passing of the pope, and life in the circus made his leap into the fashion world seem possibly unlikely, but incredibly fitting. His documentation of the backstage chaos of the fashion scene is dynamic and fresh. Angles are interesting, framing is clever, and content is unexpected. His fashion work is mostly used in the pages of WWD, but the Times is spotlighting him today on their Lens blog so you can check out some of his images there. Do not miss a scroll through the rest of his work on his site. It's really great stuff.

All images copyright Dave Yoder.

One/One-Thousand: Roxanne Lowit

Roxanne Lowit has been fashion chaos' documentarian for decades. She single-handedly brought the bustle of fashion's backstage to the forefront. She sneaked behind the scenes on the arms of model friends like Jerry Hall in the eighties and worked her way from FIT educated textile designer/painter/sometimes photographer to fashion snapping legend. Lowit is an icon in front of and behind the camera, in her all black signature style. Stick with her and her infinite coolness and you'll never miss a single celebrity/fashion model soaked second of fun fun fun. Let's put it this way, Lowit gets you in when you aren't even invited. Where? Everywhere.Will it be fun? Yes. Will you love it? Yes.

For more information and more photos, visit Lowit's agency Stockland Martel.

Pretty, Pretty Chaos.

Here's the full-on backstage experience at the Louise Goldin show in London.

You like a pretty circus, don't you? I like no-trim bangs and video footage shot in black and white.

Look Back.

This gorgeous L'Wren Scott dress gives great back views.

Photo: NYTimes.com.

Mrs. Mia Wallace

Mia Wallace is one of my favorite cinematic characters of all time.

If I were to judge by the white-shirted, black-bobbed models backstage at his show, it looks like Armani may share that sentiment...

Photo by Greg Kessler for Style.com.

Backstage Blitz

I've become endlessly fascinated with the rare species of women formally known as models. The fact that they strike a pose for a luxurious living is incredible, and from episodes of America's Next Top Model we know that only some ladies have the natural nature of a professional poser. Here's another video from artist Jeremy Kost of the beautiful creatures in their preferred habitat: backstage at a Jeremy Scott show.

I love how some of the girls just walk politely by as some of them instantly break into perfect pose mode. I also love that Mr. Kost tells one of the spotlight hoggers that he has no film left in his camera. You can hear her click her heels away faster than a camera flash!