Most of the shows at London Fashion Week are only for invited guests, so it’s very hard to get in without knowing anyone inside. The entrance control with all it’s stressed-out security guards can seem quite daunting, and even if you do dare to ask them if you can get in, the answers are usually most unhelpful.

But there is a way for you to get in. Not many people know about it, but I’m going to share my story here.

I was loitering around the entrance of one of the shows (I didn’t even know which one it was), watching the dressed up VIP’s jumping out of black LFW Mercedeses. I didn’t want to go up to the security’s and ask if I could go in, it just felt too humiliating.

But after some time, a photographer jogged up to the barrier, apparently in a hurry. The guard pointed him around the back, so off he jogged, and I quickly decided to follow him. Eventually he found the back entrance, and passed security by showing his badge. So there I was, one step closer. I stood back and monitored the situation.

After a while, a knot of people formed around the securities, so they became confused, and I quickly pressed in among the group. They asked everyone where they needed to go, and I heard someone say “first floor,” so when the guard asked me, assuming I was part of the group, I said “first floor too,” with a very grave and sincere expression on my face.

That got me past the first barrier, and once I got to the first floor entrance, where another guard stood, I simply ignored her. After that came the registry desk: same thing there, just ignore it.
I found I was in the backstage area of the Marques Almeida show, with the test run in full swing. I took pictures of the models, asking them to pose for me. The only camera I had with me was my phone, since I hadn’t planned to do anything of the sort.

After that I walked with purposeful speed to the make-up and changing area, where the make-up artist Terry Barber was giving an interview. Through a back door I could enter the show room, where I sat in the photographers area, waiting for the show to begin. There was a number of security guards prowling around, and the photographers all wore badges around their necks, so I tried not to do anything suspicious, sticking to my seat on a pallet.

A long time later the guests streamed in and the show began. I realised I had chosen the best place to watch: right at the end of the runway, where the models spend most time.

As soon as creative director Paolo Almeida had given his bow, everyone jumped to their feet and made their way out. Now that I knew what the head behind the brand looked like and what his name was (I didn’t have a clue before seeing the notices on the walls), I was ready to give my own interview. I headed back to the backstage area, where Paolo was soon greeted by some chatty reporters, one of them working for Vogue. I let them go first, sticking my microphone out as well (nobody seemed to question this). As soon as they were done, I said: “Paolo, nice to meet you, can I ask you a question? Where do you think fashion is going in the future?” “I think hopefully in a better direction. That’s what we’re trying to do, to make the best out of this industry and try to make it the best…more…sorry, I got a bit stuck”, was his initial answer. Well, it was good to chat.

In theory I could’ve stayed for the next show, since nobody was checking anything inside and everyone was far too busy, but it was getting late…

Another way of getting into fashion shows, slightly more dishonest, was to get hold of someone’s ticket and photoshop your own name in. The guards would then scan your code, see that the ticket was real, compare the name on your paper with your ID and nod you in. That’s how it worked in 2019, it might not work anymore now, since so many students used the method.