Cutthroat class reunion
Models wait backstage before hitting the runway for Dennis Basso's show during Fashion Week in New York.
Dennis Basso is remarkably focused this week for a man whose life has more moving parts than a Swiss watch.
It's Fashion Week in New York City and Basso's fur designs are on full display. He has Dennis Basso Boutique in Vail and Aspen, so you don't have to fly to New York to see them, although the Fashion Week spectacle might be worth the trip.
Basso is up to his silver hair in human upheaval and drama. He's never sounded happier.
“It's weeks and weeks of very long days of preparation,” Basso said. “There's the lineup, hair, makeup, selecting the models … the list goes on and on.”
More than 100 people actively work on the preparation. Another 100 work during the show.
The larger designers, like Basso, use casting directors to select the models.
“You discuss what you're looking for. Each designer has a different vision,” he said.
The casting director looks at hundreds of models, and eventually narrows it down to a few dozen. Who they are and what they look like depends on what you want, Basso said, and it's usually a mix.
Basso and other designers may not pick models personally, but he has the last word.
“I'm the last person to look at them before they go out on the runway,” Basso said.
Sometimes his internal alarm barks, “Oh my gawd, no!” before the model steps out. But somehow it always turns out fine.
“It becomes part of the beauty that surrounds it. And you have to understand that while it's something you may not personally think is beautiful, it may be exactly right for someone else,” Basso said.
Fun and fashionistas
Fashion Week is part cutthroat competition, part class reunion. Journalists, editors, buyers, celebrities and fashionistas show up.
It's a chance for designers to do what they love: Show off in front of their friends, colleagues and rivals.
Sometimes it's wonderful, like the times Basso comes out to see the audience and spots a friend — “Liza Minelli or Diana Ross, someone you've dressed over the years,” Basso said.
Sometimes wonderfulness is a matter of perspective, like the time Basso's show was delayed for an hour because someone in the audience had a medical issue.
“Everyone was very patient, sitting there for a solid hour,” Basso said.
Since then, Fashion Week has had medical personnel on site.
Email
Print
