Watch Supermodel Karen Elson Prep for the Erdem Show

 

 

You might assume that Karen Elson, an in-demand model from the ’90s, could attend fashion week in her sleep — but the British fashion star still feels nervous before the show. How do we know? Vogue spent a full day with Elson this past London Fashion Week, where we got an intimate look at what a hectic, chaotic show day looks like.

In the new video, we followed Elson as she prepared to walk designer Erdem Moralıoğlu. Her busy performance day begins at The Ritz with lots of coffee. “I need to move on,” she said. Then she calmed herself down a bit before the ensuing madness. “London Fashion Week, for me, is the pinnacle of creativity,” Elson said as she sipped her coffee. “There is something about British fashion that has always been so unique and cutting edge.” The show at Erdem was a special event for Elson: It was her first time modeling for the label and was part of her first post-COVID London Fashion Week.

 

After dabbling in her self-care skincare prep — “I’m a high-end beauty junkie,” she says, while using Augustine Bader and La Mer products — followed by a gig. which Elson was excited to open . “His clothes tend to be extremely feminine and sophisticated,” she said of Moralıoğlu. She quickly got her hair and makeup done, where the team of experts styled her back in slicked back and androgynous hairstyles. Elson is no stranger to chaos backstage, but she told Vogue it still makes her extremely nervous for the show. “This is why I need some alone time before the show,” she says with a laugh. “I’m a noisy person and I’m pretty freaked out!”

Elson then went straight to the rehearsals, to make sure her steps (and timing) were perfect for the pitch. “It’s a bit of a complicated runway, so I’m super nervous now, because I’m opening the show,” Elson said. “If I mess it up, everyone will ruin it.” With her curvaceous, sleek coat and sequined scarf, she opened the show with complete ease. She then quickly changed into her last uniform, a striking feather cape, like she was a pro.