Paul Hardy Autumn Winter 2010 Collection March 24 2010 Toronto

Instead of reporting how Fabulous Paul Hardy's show was and how wonderful each and every artfully constructed garment felt and draped models bodies, I am going to give you a glance behind the scenes from my own personal perspective on what its really like working backstage.

A 'Cirque Noir' Journal

This past Wednesday started out like many previous days here in Toronto, being new to the area I was yet again out on the job hunt!! However this particular Wednesday was about to get a whole lot more Fashionable!!

The tides changed suddenly when a text came strutting in, 'Paul could use your help backstage tonight for his show, be there at 6pm'. Well Fabulousness indeed I think to myself and map out my route to the location.

The location Smash is a very eclectic vintage shop where every table and chair seemed to have a price tag . . . I like it!!
Walking my way down what was to be the runway in a couple hours I spot three blondes all in black and know that these must be the Fabulous interns who have flown in from Calgary to help out with the show.
My first quick look around entertains me with a very small back room where hair spray smog rests above models heads and the smell of lip gloss fills the air.
My next step is to review all that I have missed in the months and days leading up to this very night. I flip through the 44 looks slated to be shown this evening well introducing myself to every new face that arrives.

While keeping my eye on the time and assigning tasks to volunteers who I of course am immensely elated to see arriving, I look over my shoulder and spot Paul, when did he get here??!! I say hello to Paul and get in a quick update on materials that arrived two weeks late hence the feverish sewing taking place. Paul proceeds to tell me he was on the corner of Spadina and King sewing while waiting to catch a cab, I laugh and say isn't fashion glamorous!!

Alright the doors open in five minute, why is hair still working and why haven't the makeup artists packed up their gear and made room for the racks - they do know this is the only space in the building right??!! I enlist my volunteers and instruct them to corral the models in the left back corner and tell my dressers to bring in the racks, which have been on the runway up until now. I give each dresser one last round of advice: be fast, be careful, watch the makeup and get it done.
One last look from the back to see whose here and we're good to go!! Models are lined up and the music begins!! With lint brush in hand I roll over models in one last attempt to achieve perfection each garment deserves before it hits the runway.
All of a sudden the intern calling the show disappears . . . WHAT??!! I jump in having no idea as to the order of the show and begin yelling that I need a model now, speed it up dressers and slow it down models. I direct model after model after model down the runway and before I know it we're doing the finale, how did that happen??!!

Before I can take a breath here comes the media. A flood of adoration fills the back as Jeanne Beker, Glen Baxter (he's so nice, I like him) and Barbara Atkin praise Paul and his collection. Most Fabulous!!

Clean up time!! We re-organize fast as everyone is ready for a cocktail to celebrate the success of Paul's show!!! Everyone heads downtown for the after party where wine is my favorite thing on the menu!!
The night winds down rather quickly as the adrenaline is worn off by persisting aching feet.
I walk down King towards the subway, the street is still rather busy and the air just cool enough for the walk. Who knew how Fabulous today would turn out to be . . .
Karla Carol'Ann


Please enjoy several photo's I have selected from Paul's show taken by Phil Crozier. And a great article on Paul from the Toronto Star on how great the show was from the front of house.