Those who are dedicated to the fine art of hair design can think of no other place they would rather be than in the back room of a fashion or hair show. The choking clouds of hairspray, the call for 15 minutes to show, the models with attitude and the hairdressers that do not show up are all essential elements to creating the adrenaline rush to curtain.

Connoisseurs of the back room can remember the shows where the artistic director ordered all stylists to take the hair down and start all over again. The designer had an inspiration on the tipsy walk from the lounge to the show. The new marching orders come down with staccato fury. "Do we really want to express height with the hair? Pull that back combing out! Each model will have a flawless sleek and waxed ponytail!" -the artistic one wails. And a full twenty minutes to pull it off!

Here is a sampling of back rooms where the hair and makeup work together and where the hectic insanity is nonexistant. Those who do shows may well wish they could have been in a few of our back rooms. Perhaps some of you were.

Frédéric is one of the most respected stylists and knows how to run a back room. Frédéric, you are so sleek!

Did I miss this show? Drat! Isabela Fontana, bossa nova, buttery makeup and wind-battered braids. Seria tão bonito.

"It looks very intensive." Bumble&bumble go gaga on ze hair. Nice porkpie hat, Laurent: uber groovy, baby.

S&M&Ms! Fashion Week New York is the playground of the "shiny height chignon". Thuy Backstage - Hair by Sassoon - Mercedes Benz Fashion Week New York Spring 2010.

Seventeen Magazine goes to the wild side and just wings it.

Raul©2011