A

span class="inline inline-left">After hectic preparation at the backstage, model Laura Muljadi graces the runway with an Oscar Lawalata dress. (JP/Ricky Yudhistira)Glamor as witnessed on the catwalk or a magazine cover: Being a model takes more than just a pretty face.

In the case of Jakarta Fashion Week, they should be able to ride out the storm and shine all the way through.

The challenge at this year’s fashion week began when the spacious square-shaped fashion tent — the main venue for the prestigious annual event, located just outside Plaza Senayan shopping center — succumbed to adverse weather conditions after an evening show by Indonesian designer Oscar Lawalata on Monday night.

Backstage, confusion was in the air.

Some models left their dressing rooms in their ready-to-walk dresses — all glitzy and glamorous with their high-end hairdos and intimidating high heels.

One of the top models, Laura Muljadi, said she felt a little panicky but it was a situation where you either finished the job or ran. They had a tight schedule to meet that night.

She said that when the stage crew pushed her to walk on during the Oscar presentation, she did, although there was a moment where she saw the lighting and some people looked distinctly nervous.

“But, the show must go on,” said the model, who would take part in 25 out of the event’s nearly 60 shows. “When I was done with Oscar, I rushed to the green room to get my makeup and hair done for another show.”

The model, who has been a feature of the annual event since its debut in 2008, said it was quite normal to have busy days and catch up on lively stories during such an event, which was originally scheduled to run from Nov. 3-9 but has now been extended to Nov. 12 to make up for the delays.

“But, I didn’t expect that I would go through that kind of situation right from the start,” said the 27-year-old, who was scheduled to present various designs in 25 out of some 170 shows during the event.

Monday night’s incident was the second major challenge after organizers were forced to postpone some of the highlight shows last Sunday night following heavy rain.

Models pray for a successful show behind the stage. (Courtesy of 2013 Jakarta Fashion Week)
For safety reasons, the fashion tent was later closed and the main venue relocated to the fashion loft, located at the mall’s former bowling alley on the fifth floor. Other shows were presented at the Atrium inside the mall.

Fashion designer Oscar expressed his understanding over the unexpected occurrence.

“I think with the main venue placed outdoors, it would be better for the organizers to scale up their preparation,” he says.

In the Atrium, things were no easier as models had to swallow their fear of having to walk atop a 4-meter-high stage.

Model Tia Aprianti confessed she was nervous. In CIEL’s show on Tuesday afternoon, she and 11 other models had to showcase two outfits each in two sequences.  

“Oh my God, the stage is really high. We usually walk on the lower part of the stage but we found out this morning that we also have to walk on the higher part — and it has no safety rail,” said the 26-year-old model.

During the show, Tia said she had to hold on to the stage’s wall to maintain her balance.

“In the second sequence, most of us felt a bit unsteady, especially when having to walk down the steep stairs, so I held on to the wall,” she said.

The models were faced with yet another challenge backstage at the Atrium.

“It’s a small room, [Atrium’s] backstage area. I guess it can accommodate up to 25 people in there. Twelve of those are models, while the rest are fitters. It has no air conditioner, so it’s really hot in there,” said Tia.

Between shows, she said most models were really noisy asking for their clothes to be taken backstage while their makeup and hair were done in the green room.

Dressed-up models walk in a hurry while wrapped in fabrics that veil the dresses they are presenting. (Courtesy of 2013 Jakarta Fashion Week)This year, Jakarta Fashion Week collaborated with L’Oreal Professionnel (LP) for hairdo products and hair stylists, while The Body Shop provided the makeup and makeup artists.

LP provided around 80 hair stylists, while The Body Shop provided 68 makeup artists for the event.

“We have to get our makeup and hair done three hours prior to the show. As for rehearsing, we do a practice run from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. when the mall is still empty,” Tia said.

With the tight schedule, meal breaks can get a bit tricky. Tia said local models mostly needed carbohydrates, like rice, with protein, such as chicken or fish, while foreign models usually chose burgers for their meals.

“We have to steal time during work to eat,” said Tia, who prefers to eat fruit for dinner. “But backstage, we have a free flow of vitamins, milk and fruit.”

Laura said it took a lot of hard work to succeed as a model. At the fashion week, her days begin on the set at 4 a.m. and she does not finish until around 10 p.m.

“It’s pretty tiring. With all the activity during the day, I only have about half an hour to wash my hair and get around two hours sleep,” said the model, who brought two pillows with her to rest between shows in the green room.

“In the daytime, I get only a little time to eat or take a restroom break.”