Behind the Scenes: How Students Shine at London Fashion Week

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Behind the Scenes: How Students Shine at London Fashion Week

Blogs

Behind the Scenes How Students Shine at London Fashion Week

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Table of Contents

Beneath the bright lights and blinding flashes of cameras, a quiet storm brews backstage. Pins are clenched between teeth, steamers hiss over last-minute wrinkles, hair spray fogs the air like perfume—and in the midst of it all, a student stylist fixes a hemline with trembling hands, heart pounding, eyes shining.

This is London Fashion Week.

A place where the world’s best-known designers unveil their vision. Where supermodels glide and editors judge. Where the industry’s future takes shape.

And in recent years, this dazzling arena has become home to a rising force: students from NIF Global, boldly stepping behind the curtain to learn, contribute, and eventually, lead.

London Fashion Week: The Global Stage of Fashion

Established in 1984, London Fashion Week (LFW) is one of the “Big Four” fashion capitals, alongside Paris, Milan, and New York. Known for its boundary-pushing creativity, LFW is the beating heart of avant-garde fashion.

But beyond the runway is a universe of activity:

  • Backstage styling and makeup artistry

  • Model fittings and line-up management

  • PR coordination and event logistics

  • Sustainable fashion showcases

  • Emerging designer launches

  • Real-time trend tracking and media buzz

And it’s here, behind the velvet ropes, that students truly experience what it means to work in fashion, not just study it.

How NIF Global Takes You to the Heart of It All

At NIF Global, international fashion exposure isn’t a brochure promise—it’s a lived, tactile, unforgettable journey. Participation at London Fashion Week isn’t just about attending; it’s about being embedded in the production, creativity, and chaos of it.

Each year, a curated group of NIF Global students gets the opportunity to:

  • Assist backstage with makeup and styling

  • Work with international designers on fittings and final looks

  • Support media, PR, and front-of-house teams

  • Intern with production crews and event managers

  • Present capsule collections at student showcases

  • Network with influencers, stylists, and journalists

  • Attend exclusive fashion tech and sustainability panels

It’s more than exposure—it’s integration into the pulse of fashion.

Before the Lights: The Preparation Begins

Getting selected for the London Fashion Week showcase is no small feat. Students go through:

  • A portfolio-based selection process

  • Rigorous skill testing in makeup, hair, fashion styling, or design

  • Pre-show training sessions with mentors and alumni

  • Workshops on etiquette, backstage protocols, and crisis management

  • Branding and portfolio coaching to present themselves with polish

By the time they board the flight to London, they’re not just students—they’re professionals in training, ready to take the stage.

Arrival in London: First Glimpse of the Big League

Touchdown in London is where nerves meet wonder. The city buzzes with energy, and banners of LFW flutter across Somerset House, The Strand, and designer pop-ups in Soho.

Students from NIF Global are quick to adapt:

  • Early morning call sheets

  • Venue walkthroughs and layout briefs

  • Dress code checks and styling rehearsals

  • Meeting with brand representatives or PR managers

  • Quick crash courses in British fashion sensibilities

Even jet lag takes a backseat when you’re surrounded by couture, creativity, and caffeine.

Backstage Diaries: Chaos, Camaraderie, and Confidence

Behind the slick glamour of every runway is organized chaos.

Hairdryers buzz. Models rehearse walks. Designers tweak collars and sleeves. And it’s here, amidst the frenzy, that NIF Global students make their mark.

They assist on:

  • Makeup stations: replicating designer-approved looks with precision

  • Hair styling: creating everything from sleek buns to editorial curls

  • Garment steaming and prepping: ensuring runway perfection

  • Backstage lineup: managing model sequencing and changes

  • Quick fixes: using fashion tape, pins, or bold improvisation

One student said, “We weren’t just helping—we were part of the team. I held my breath every time one of ‘our’ models hit the ramp.”

Moments of Glory: When Students Take the Spotlight

NIF Global doesn’t just send students to assist. It elevates them to showcase their own work too.

During select student-focused segments or side events within LFW:

  • Emerging student designers display collections inspired by Indian heritage and global silhouettes

  • Stylists from NIF Global present fusion looks in pop-up fashion exhibitions

  • Beauty artists give live demos of modern bridal makeup with traditional Indian influence

  • Fashion content creators from the institute collaborate on live coverage reels and Instagram takeovers

One showcase titled “Modern Royals”, curated by NIF Global students, blended Benarasi textures with tailored London cuts—earning a standing ovation.

Real-World Lessons You Can’t Learn in a Classroom

Participating in London Fashion Week is a crash course in professionalism and poise.

Students learn:

  • Time management under pressure

  • Adapting on the fly (especially when things go wrong backstage!)

  • Understanding international fashion vocabulary and expectations

  • Cultural sensitivity and style diversity

  • How to represent themselves and their institute with pride

But more than anything, they learn that they belong here. That talent from anywhere—including India—can find its spotlight in London.

Success Stories: From Student to Stylist, Intern to Icon

Meher Arora – The Accidental Star

As a styling intern for a London-based indie label, Meher improvised a last-minute drape using a dupatta that wowed the designer. She was asked to assist for their Paris lookbook shoot later that year.

Ishaan Dutt – Backstage to Brand

Ishaan volunteered in the PR team during LFW, managing media kits and press access. Today, he handles influencer collaborations for an international fashion brand that first noticed his work ethic at the show.

Sana Qureshi – From Makeup Chair to Main Stage

Sana, trained in airbrush makeup at NIF Global, worked under a senior makeup artist during LFW. She now freelances in both Mumbai and London, splitting time between bridal gigs and editorial shoots.

Building a Future from a Single Experience

London Fashion Week is not just a five-day event. For students, it creates ripple effects:

Impact

What It Looks Like

Networking

Contacts with stylists, designers, PR reps, and recruiters

Portfolio Boost

Photos, testimonials, and behind-the-scenes documentation

Resume Edge

International fashion week experience as a standout achievement

Skill Growth

Learning tools, techniques, and workflows at a global level

Confidence Surge

Belief in one’s ability to operate on the biggest stage

What Makes NIF Global’s Approach Unique?

  • Preparation-centric: Every student is trained to perform, not just observe

  • Mentor access: Previous LFW alumni guide the new batch

  • Global partnerships: Real, vetted access—not a paid photo-op

  • Student-first narrative: No one is sidelined; everyone contributes meaningfully

  • Multi-role exposure: Makeup, styling, PR, content creation—all roles included

This isn’t fashion tourism. It’s fashion immersion.

How You Can Be a Part of the Next Showcase

Ready to see yourself backstage in London? Here’s what to do:

  1. Apply to NIF Global through www.nifglobal.com
  2. Choose your track—fashion design, makeup, hair, styling, or content

  3. Build your skills through hands-on training and mentorship

  4. Work hard, stand out—earn your chance to be selected

  5. Pack your passport—your fashion journey is going places

Lights. Camera. Your Future.

London Fashion Week is a milestone. A stage. A test.

But for the students of NIF Global, it’s also a mirror—showing them what they’re capable of, who they can become, and where they truly belong.

Backstage may be chaotic. The learning curve steep. But every zipper pulled, every brush stroke perfected, every last-minute fix made… becomes a line in their story.

A story that began with curiosity and courage—and is now written in the language of fashion, on an international page.

The next chapter could be yours.

Join the next London Fashion Week journey with NIF Global.

Apply now at www.nifglobal.com and let your talent walk the world’s biggest runways.

FAQ

How can students participate in London Fashion Week?

Students can engage through institutional programs like those offered by NIF Global, volunteer opportunities, or by applying to showcase their work through collaborations with fashion councils or events.​

What are the benefits of participating in LFW?

Benefits include practical experience, networking, portfolio enhancement, and global exposure, all of which are valuable for career advancement in fashion.​

Does NIF Global offer support for students aiming to participate in LFW?

Yes, NIF Global provides mentorship, collaboration opportunities, and platforms for students to design and showcase their work at LFW.​

Fashion & Interior Industry Educator at  | Web |  + posts

Ishika Arora is an Indian fashion and interior design expert with a keen eye for aesthetics and innovation. With years of experience in the industry, she specializes in blending timeless traditions with contemporary trends, helping individuals and brands craft unique style identities.

Her expertise spans across various fashion specializations, including haute couture, sustainable fashion, and athleisure, while her interior design work focuses on transforming spaces with elegance, functionality, and cultural depth. Ishika is passionate about guiding aspiring designers, offering insights into career growth, industry shifts, and creative inspirations.

When she’s not immersed in the world of fashion and interiors, Ishika enjoys traveling to global design hubs, exploring art, and experimenting with new materials and techniques.

President | Business Strategist | Growth Catalyst at  | Web |  + posts

President | Business Strategist | Growth Catalyst

With over 25 years of driving transformation across the Lifestyle, Education, and Service sectors, I bring a blend of strategic vision, operational excellence, and people-centric leadership to every initiative I lead.
Whether it’s scaling operations, driving change, or crafting smart solutions, I bring a future-focused mindset and a results-driven approach to every mission.

Currently as a President of NIF Global, I’m passionate about innovation, transformation, and empowering people to do their best. I’m driven to build powerful ecosystems that unlock talent, ignite innovation, and fuel strategic partnerships on a global scale. I turn big ideas into bold moves—bridging vision with execution to elevate performance, spark growth, and deliver real impact.