April 5, 2002/ FW/ --- Runway shows are not just glam and glitz. It's actually WORK for a lot of people.

What you see on the runway - beautiful models and beautiful clothes, are just the tip of the iceberg to all the work that has been done.

The audience see the final product - a show that is staged just like a play, with the models as the actors and the clothes are the leading characters.

If the runway is all about polish and presentation, the backstage is a controlled mayhem.

Stress level is high, to say the least!

The show only last 15 minutes and the backstage crew has to make sure that each model and each article of clothing look good for the audience and the cameras.

The unsung heroes of each fashion show are the backstage crew - you seldom see them, nor hear about them, but they are the backbone of fashion week.

The backstage at Lloyd Klein's Fall 2002 show is very much the same like others.

There is the make-up artists station where the models get their make-up. Then there are hair dressers to do the models hair.

There are also the dressers and stylists who literally dress up the models.

But there is one thing about Lloyd Klein's backstage crew that stood out among the rest - they are all smiling!

Oh, they were busy and working hard! A model needed help dressing up, a dress had to be steamed or ironed, an item of clothing needed a final adjustment - all of these things they did with a smile.

They were happy to be there!

In the science of Human Resources, it says that "happy workers are productive workers."

Lloyd Klein, and his U.S. Brand Director John Arguelles got it down pat! And they lead by example.

The designer, Lloyd Klein always has a kind word, seldom raise his voice except to be heard above the noise.

He even found time to smile for the camera when Visko took his photo.

John Arguelles on the other hand was in pain, literally!

He had a nasty fall that morning before the show and his kneecaps were swollen so bad that the Red Cross Volunteers who were at the Puck Building were very worried when they saw him.

They were actually surprised that he had not gone to the hospital!

"The show has to go on, and my crew needs me there," John told FW.

So, he sat backstage, and supervised the whole enchilada while nursing his swollen kneecaps.

It was hurting so bad, that before the show started, the crew had to carry him like an emperor to the front so that he can watch the show!

Talk about professionalism and dedication! John Arguelles deserve a medal!

"It all starts at the top," again, that is from a Human Resources handbook.

With leaders like Lloyd Klein and John Arguelles, it is really no wonder why their backstage crew were happy to be there!

P.S. To those of you interested, John Arguelles is back on his feet after a few days. There were no broken bones nor torn ligaments that resulted from his nasty fall.

The swelling was a natural reaction by the human body to protect itself from further damage.

After the swelling subsided, he was good as new.

Model backstage: Lloyd Klein Fall 2002

Model backstage: Lloyd Klein Fall 2002