Backstage At NYC Fashion Week : Moulin Rouge Fashion Show At Dom Lounge, NYC
Forget the front row. If you really want to know what New York Fashion Week feels like, you have to be in the room at 9:00 AM on a Tuesday when the "glamour" is still just 30 models in hoodies, eight overflowing makeup kits, and enough hairspray to cloud a subway.
Last season, I took on the ultimate NYC hustle: planning, coordinating, and casting the Moulin Rouge Lingerie Show at the iconic Dom Lounge on Park Avenue. It was part Parisian cabaret, part high-stakes logistics, and 100% the most electric 24 hours of my life. Captured through the lens of Edgar Saakyan of Edgar Entertainment, these photos take you inside the high-stakes logistics and the electric 24 hours that brought my vision to life.
A dream is only as vivid as the way it’s remembered. Having Edgar Sahakyan of Edgar Entertainment there to document the day was essential. Edgar didn't just take photos; he captured the soul of the production—the quiet moments of reflection, the frantic energy of the hair and makeup stations, and the breathtaking final walk.
Photo By Edgar Saakyan
Casting is more than just a walk; it’s a vibe check. For a show inspired by the Moulin Rouge, I needed 30 models who could bring that specific blend of theatrical confidence and high-fashion edge. As the casting director, my goal was to curate a lineup that felt diverse, modern, and powerful enough to command a room as opulent as Dom Lounge. Seeing the final 30 together for the first time was the ultimate "we did that" moment.
Photo By Edgar Saakyan
People think backstage is just a quick touch-up, but the reality is a marathon. We set up eight beauty stations that ran non-stop all day. From 10:00 AM, the air was a mix of espresso and luxury perfumes as our hair and makeup teams worked through 30 different looks.
The aesthetic? Dreamy, flushed, and unapologetically bold. It was a factory of "cool," where every model left the chair looking like they’d just stepped out of a French film.
Photo By Edgar Saakyan
There’s a specific adrenaline spike that happens right before a show. Once the models were glammed, we had to "strike" the beauty stations—meaning we tore down 10 hours of work in minutes to clear the floor for the guests.
Transforming a Park Avenue lounge from a workspace into a high-fashion venue is a masterclass in coordination. By the time the first guest walked through the door, the curling irons were gone, the lights were dimmed, and the energy was pure magic.
Photo By Edgar Saakyan