The A - List

Who's Who On The Front Row.

For four intense weeks, the fashion elite amalgamates. London is part of the four - stop circus of a month when fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris demand the full attention of the fashion world. The clothing that is shown during these weeks will set the tone - no other forums have the same impact. And thus the absolute elite are on hand to experience fresh implulses for the coming season - and to party together.

During the fashion weeks, it's always full speed ahead, starting at dawn. The backstage area vibrates with expectant energy. Nothing is left to chance, every model must look perfect. All the clothing is ironed at least twice; everything has to fit the models' slim bodies as if it were cast in place. No effort is spared. Every nail has to be polished. Layer upon layer of transparent gloss is brushed onto beautiful lips. Dressers and assistants work side by side with make up artists and stylists to ensure that everything is perfect.

Each designer has just under twenty minutes to impress the press, stylists and buyers. The show is an important statement from start to finish. The invitations are almost as imaginative as the clothes themselves. Hundreds of people send requests for show invitations, but only the chosen few recieve the coveted 'prize'. To make the list, you need to either have serious celebrity wattage or be a major power in the fashion world.

Now here's a scenario; Chelsea College Of Art - Pimlico, London, 24 Feb 2010. It's late afternoon, wet and cold. Soon Christopher Bailey will be showing the collection he and his design team at Burberry have been working on for the past six months. Autumn/Winter 2010.

Outside the venue there is an atmosphere of intense expectancy. A huge crowd presses up against the entrance. Photographers lunge at the fashion luminaries, who are styled within an inch of their lives, even though it's late afternoon. There are so many Street Bloggers it's like a mob of paparazzi. They have come from the four corners of the earth just to shoot fashion week photos. A few minutes ater the show starts, the first pictures are hitting the blogs. The most important guests, with the most fabulous looks in the world, rub elbows with fashion students in daring outfits and spectaculary lovely models, still wearing make up from thier last show.

Most of the people milling around outside the venues on a day like this will have to stand in the cold and wait while the shows are underway. Only a handful have the blog juice to score an invitation: Scott Schuman, The Sartorialist; Face Hunter, Filipino Bryan Boy, 13 year old fashion - world phenom Tavi, and Tommy Ton from Jak&Jill.

Once the people backstage are nearly ready to go, the exultant feeling spreads to the audience. These are the people whose attention all the designers are fighting for, whom everybody is competing to make the biggest impression on. PRs wearing headsets rush around among the seats; their job is to make sure the right power players end up in their right place. The closer somebody gets to the fronr row, the more important the designer has said that person is. An editor or stylist who ends up in the front is genuinely among the elite.

Unsurprisingly, buberry's audience is full of glamourous celebrities, important editors and powerful buyers.

These are the names designers hope to see in the front row.
INFLUENTIAL EDITORS:Anna Wintour-Vogue US, Carine Roitfeld-Vogue Paris, Franca Sozzani-Vogue Italia, Joe Zee-Elle US, Anna Dello Russo-Vogue Nippon, Suzy Menkes-International Herald Tribune, Jefferson Hack-AnOther Magazine, Lucinda Chambers-Vogue UK, Anastasia Barbieri-Vogue Hommes Int, Brianna Wolf-Harper's Bazaar US, Cathy Horyn-NY Times, Robin Givhan-Washington Post, Hillary Alexander-Telegraph.

TREND SETTING STYLISTS:
Rachel Zoe, Marie Amelie Suave-Vogue Paris, Michael Roberts-Vanity Fair, Grace Coddington-Vogue US, Katie Grand-LOVE, Vanessa Coyle-Harper's Bazaar UK, Giovanna Battaglia-L'UOMO Vogue, Kate Lanphear-Elle US, Karl Templer-Interview, Nicola Formichetti-Dazed & Confused, Emmanuelle Alt-Vogue Paris, George Cortina-Vogue Nippon, Camilla Nickerson-W Magazine, Alison Edmond Harper's Bazaar UK.

POWERFUL BUYERS:
Yasmin Sewell-Liberty, Marigay Mckee-Harrods, Sarah Rutson-Lane Crawford, Erin Mullaney-Browns, Holli Rogers- Net-a-Porter, Julie Gilhart-Barneys.

POPULAR BLOGGERS:
Tavi Gevinson-Style Rookie, Bryanboy-Bryanboy, Yvan Rodic-Face Hunter, Tommy Ton-Jak & Jill, Scott Schuman- The Sartorialist, Garance Dore-Garance Dore.