Fashion Week is dominated by flash and celebrity, but who are the people working quietly behind the scenes? Meet the stylist, makeup artist, hairstylist, casting director, and set designer who make New York Fashion Week happen. Through this series of posts we’ll reveal their inspirations, personal schedules, creative struggles, and goings-on throughout the week. This is as real as fashion gets.

ANITA BITTON

Anita Bitton

If any one casting director embodies the cool and the now of New York fashion, it’s Anita Bitton. And if her casting choices for Alexander Wang and Zac Posen reflect the city’s street beat, it’s because she’s firmly entrenched in the rising fashion scene. As a former model, Anita knows what it takes to make the cut. All eyes are on her choices for the Alexander Wang show, which routinely sets the pace of the New York collections. She also works with a range of photographers, from legends like Irving Penn to rising talent like Ryan McGinley. Seven years ago she founded “The Establishment,” a leading casting and branding agency, which has become the go-to destination for clients seeking a certain undeniable cool in their casting direction.

What do you want more of during New York fashion week? Friendliness and understanding.

What do you fear about fashion week? No sleep.

Today’s schedule: 7 a.m. arrive at office to go over upcoming Ryan McGinley shoot for Levi’s in Puerto Rico. Charlotte Ronson’s show at 2 p.m., then more fittings for Alexander Wang, then evening hair and makeup tests for Alex as well. Will somehow try to get my hair done in between.

Upcoming shows:
Saturday, September 12 – Alexander Wang, VPL by Victoria Bartlett, Band of Outsiders
Sunday, September 13 – Behnaz Sarafpour
Monday, September 14 – Zac Posen, Jill Stuart

LISA BUTLER

Lisa Butler

Makeup is about transformation, and the iconic English makeup artist takes that concept to new heights. Butler found her passion for makeup as a teenager growing up in the ’80s. Her makeup experiments on the punks and hipsters of the London scene led to recognition in the fashion crowd. Since then she’s become a must-book for photographers like Sølve Sundsbø, Alasdair McLellan, and Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin, all of whom complement her intellectual, yet emotional, approach to makeup. On the runway she has headed up shows for the likes of Prada, Roberto Cavalli, and Yohji Yamamato to name a few.

What do you fear about fashion week? Not getting paid.

Today’s schedule: Costello Tagliapietra

Upcoming shows:
Sunday, September 13 – Herve Leger
Tuesday, September 15 – Max Azria
Wednesday, September 16 – 3.1 Phillip Lim
Thursday, September 17 – Tommy Hilfiger

BRANA WOLF

Brana Wolf

Stylist Brana Wolf puts the edit back in fashion editor. The legendary Harper’s Bazaar fashion director and stylist behind Versace is known for her uncanny ability to rigorously edit the collections and cast off the extraneous. She has lent her defining, minimalist vision to the industry for over 20 years, collaborating regularly with the likes of Steven Meisel, Mario Testino, and Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin. Her impeccable taste has made her one of the eight most powerful fashion editors in America according to Forbes Magazine.

What do you want more of during New York fashion week? Sleep.

What do you fear about fashion week? Not having time for anything unrelated to fashion.

Today’s schedule: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with Michael Kors, going over looks and listening to tracks with DJ Michel Gaubert. 6 p.m. look lineup with Devi Kroell

Upcoming shows:
Monday, September 14 – Devi Kroell
Wednesday, September 16 – Michael Kors

JIMMY PAUL

Jimmy Paul

The legendary hairstylist emerged from the club scene of the early ’90s to become his generation’s wunderkind of hair. Known for his era-defining grunge styles and radical haircuts on the boys of Dior Homme under Hedi Slimane, Jimmy has always been in hot pursuit of real, raw, and natural hair. His collaborations with Steven Meisel yielded some of the most iconic imagery of the ’90s, which might be why powerful fashion editors like Harper’s Bazaar’s Glenda Bailey trust the man with their locks.

What do you love about New York fashion week? Being in the center of the storm.

What do you fear about New York fashion week? Fashion shows go so fast.

Today’s schedule: Up at 6:30 a.m. to make it to Harper’s Bazaar by 8:45 to cut Glenda Bailey’s hair. Then an Ohne Titel test at 10 a.m. Followed by Phillip Lim’s men’s show at noon.

Upcoming shows:
Saturday, September 12 – Ohne Titel
Tuesday, September 15 – Vera Wang
Wednesday, September 16 – Peter Som

ALEXANDRE DE BETAK

Alexandre De Betak

The set designer, lighting designer, and all-around creative director is the man behind some of the most wildly imaginative fashion productions of this century. Alexandre conceptualizes the seasonal fashion shows for a host of clients, from Christian Dior to Hussein Chalayan, working closely with designers to turn fleeting fashion events into unforgettable tableaux of lighting, special effects, timing, and choreography.

What do you love about fashion week? The adrenaline rush and joy of a successful show.

Today’s schedule: Jason Wu

Upcoming shows:
Saturday, September 12 – Lacoste
Sunday, September 13 – Diane von Furstenberg
Tuesday, September 15 – Rodarte
Wednesday, September 16 – Michael Kors

PHOTO CREDIT: patrickmcmullan.com