- Fashion Week takes over New York City from February 6 to 13.
- Models, designers, celebrities, and members of the international press flock to the city to attend the fanciest fashion shows — but it's not all glamorous.
- Models get blisters, it's always a mad race to the exit at the end of a show, and high-profile celebrities bring their crying kids and dogs to sit in the front row.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
As the press works tirelessly to make sure New York Fashion Week looks as glamorous as possible, behind the scenes, it's not always as elegant as it appears.
Winter NYFW, which runs from February 6 to 13, is especially difficult because of freezing temperatures. Attendees have to battle the infamous New York wind, oftentimes waiting in long lines just to attend a 15-minute show.
From broken heels and blisters to freezing rain and tons of diva moments, these photos reveal the unglamorous side of New York Fashion Week.
Being a model isn't always glamorous. New York Fashion Week usually means early call times and hours spent in a chair with people pulling at your hair.
Models have to sit through the hair pulling with no complaints.
The pain continues on the runway, as some models end up with blisters from those sky-high shoes.
Trying not to fall is a whole different dilemma.
Stairs proved to be quite tricky for models at the Givenchy Spring 2016 show.
A wipe-out can not only interfere with the flow of a show, but models can get seriously injured.
But falling can also humanize the fashion world a bit.
Once the show begins, designers can only hope that everything unfolds as planned. Diane Von Furstenberg could do nothing but watch as a light rig fell and landed near audience members in 2005.
Backstage can also get tense in the minutes leading up to the show — usually with designers and production barking orders.
Even models as experienced as Gigi Hadid can get flustered before walking.
Kids can't always keep their cool, either. Here, North West has a minor tantrum while sitting front row with her mom at the Alexander Wang show.
To ease the stress of it all, some audience members bring their dogs to the show.
Some dogs get more access than attendees.
This dog got the chance to watch a dress rehearsal before attendees were let in.
They're dressed in their best, but attendees still have to wait in long lines before even taking their seats.
Fashion Week is held in the summer and winter so attendees have to either wait in the thick heat, or the icy New York wind.
Once it starts to snow or sleet, getting to and from shows can become a nightmare.
Once attendees take their seats, they have to wait even longer before the show comes on.
Source: Harper's Bazaar
Then once the show ends, it is a mad dash for the exit, as attendees need to make it to their next scheduled event.
Backstage, makeup products are crammed into the limited space.
When models aren't being made up, they usually just pass the time by sleeping in any corner they can find.
It is becoming more common for shows to be held in obscure locations, including parks and subway stops. This means unglamorous, mobile bathrooms.
Attendees probably didn't plan on having to duck into a small stall wearing a couture outfit.
If a fashion show is inside, elevators are jam-packed with models and designers rushing to the green rooms.
Streets outside the shows are just as crowded, as paparazzi race through the city trying to capture photos of celebrities.
Fashion Week turns the streets of New York into a crowded runway, so New Yorkers can forget getting to work on time.
There's truly no escape from the press. The Yeohlee show was held at a subway stop, making the commute impossible for locals.
Wintertime doesn't stop the madness. Photographers have to bundle up and brave the cold to get the perfect shot.
But through all the mishaps and stress, New York Fashion Week is always a fun spectacle to enjoy and a great look inside the fashion world.
- Read more:
- Here's what it takes to plan a New York Fashion Week show in 5 days, from creating the runway soundtrack to casting models and testing hairstyles
- 40 times models fell while walking down the runway
- The 28 best celebrity looks you may have missed at New York Fashion Week 2019
- People watched models get dressed on the runway at a one-of-a-kind fashion show