The madness behind the calm called Fashion Week

Everyone gets to watch the fashion week action on TV, web and mobile. But what goes on behind the brightly lit ramp? Dominic Xavier and Abhishek Mande take a trip to discover the madness behind the calm called the fashion week.

We managed to get a sneak preview of the backstage just when Krishna Mehta's show on Friday was about to begin. Here Nethra Raghuraman gets ready to walk the ramp in one of Mehta's pieces.

The backstage has been divided into two distinct areas.

One is where the models get their make up done and get dressed.

The other is where they assemble to walk through the little door on one side of the runway.

A model who has got her hair done is getting her make up ready.

When they are not facing the cameras or taking bows, fashion designers, just like other celebrities, are very easy going folks.

A very relaxed looking Manish Arora shares a joke with make up artiste Clint Fernandes (with back to the camera).

Arora ended the day with his extreme collection later that night.

In the forefront, a model waits for one of make-up artiste Clint Fernandes' assistants to apply lip-gloss.

Behind, Manish Arora is still in an animated conversation with Clint.

On any given day there are about 15 shows in six slots.

The entire team -- models, designers and hair and make-up artistes -- is divided into two groups. These groups alternate between the two slots. Model Kavita Kharayat gets ready for Anita Dongre's show.

Many outside of the glamour business seem to think it is all about high times and hot girls. There is in fact much work that goes into putting together a show, let alone a fashion week.

Models put in long hours, wait patiently for make-up, shoots and celebrities who turn up late for the show.

And yet at no point on the ramp do they show any of that exhaustion they feel.

Manish Arora's assistants get their act together for the late evening show.

Suresh Darzi, a tailor for Anita Dongre, gives one of the pieces the final touches.

Another unlikely face to be spotted backstage is Puran Nath Sapera, a snake charmer who played the 'been' on the ramp for Anita Dongre.