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Two days ago I asked you on my instastories “what do you want to know about our experience with James and Stella walking the Bonpoint Spring-Summer 2019 show, and our family trip to Paris?” and obviously most of you are interested in how it goes behind the scenes at a kids show, and of course, our recommendations for a family trip to Paris. Starting with the latter; going to Paris with two little kids isn’t really that different from going to Paris as a couple. There are little implications, like you’re not going to have dinner past midnight, or drink wine in that little romantic Parisian bistro – well, maybe one glass – and I could argue renting an apartment instead of staying at a hotel, but considering our experience is that the French don’t mind – well behaved – kids in their restaurants or hotels, you can pretty much go wherever you used to go. French couples we know, with kids, didn’t completely change their lives either, after they have little ones. They just make sure their kids have the proper manners to be in a “grown up” environment, which I believe a lot of kids are lacking in New York City. Not really any offense to New Yorkers and their kids, or NYC restaurants, but I do find that when you live for example on the Upper West, there’s definitely certain places most parents go for dinner with their kids, because it’s a kid-friendly place. Yet, it’s not a necessarily a place where you want to go as a grown up. Anyway, my point is, just make sure they are raised with good table manners – bring an iPad if you want to drink that last glass of wine – and you are fine anywhere in Paris/France. To my French readers: Please correct me if I’m wrong! I would love to hear your thoughts on this! Now back to the part where you want to know more about the “Backstage with Bonpoint” because that’s definitely THE MOST ASKED question… If you want to get tips on places to go with kids, leave a comment below!
Being backstage at the Bonpoint Spring-Summer 2019 show is not that much different from any other backstage experience I have; it’s bustling, it’s warm, and people run around, all on their way to do “something important”. Yet, it’s completely different from any of my backstage experience – Victoria Secret show, Fenty by Rhianna, Valentino, name it and they are all the same – in the sense that at Bonpoint everyone smiles! There’s a very happy atmosphere, and everyone is well taken care of. Of course! No parent would just leave their kid backstage for a show if they didn’t know it would be perfect. No stranger can come near my little ones, nor would I EVER let them anywhere where I wasn’t sure they would be okay. And again – I’ve said this many times before – James and Stella are free, and definitely vocal enough, to say if they don’t want to walk the show. We, as parents, are not in this for any monetary reason – for those who asked if they earn money with walking the show: they are not earning tons, and whatever they earn goes into their trust account. We are letting them walk the show, because we love the brand, and we’ve built an amazing relationship with the wonderful people in the New York office. Plus, we are huge fans of Christine Innamorato, the Creative Director of Bonpoint. And the love is both ways, so therefore they love to see James and Stella come back every season.
Another question I got from some of you is how we got involved with the brand. Well, that’s pretty straight forward. The nature of my job has always been around (personal) styling, creating creative content for luxury brands, and brand consulting. So when Bonpoint reached out a few years back, when we just moved to Toronto actually, and asked if we were interested in attending the show during Haute Couture, we loved the idea! We would be there as a guest of the brand, and the kids would be dressed in the latest collection. James and Stella didn’t walk the show the first time, but we did create beautiful content for them on Social media. Yet, after the first show, when James and Stella were actually very disappoint they were not walking the show themselves, they asked us if we would be open to that. We thought about this well, talked about it with the kids, and decided it would be a wonderful experience. The foundation for our love for the brand is the true craftsmanship and the quality of the clothes. Needless to say, Bonpoint is one of the most respected luxury brands in the world, so along the line of my personal brand – Thefashionguitar – this was the most logic collaboration if it were involving my kids. And so, over the past three years, we’ve built a beautiful, mutual beneficial relationship, in which we are all very happy!
Then someone asked if the kids get hair and makeup. Yes they do. The makeup is obviously very minimal for the obvious reason: they are all kinds and don’t need anything anyway! Yet, the lights – and the heat in Paris in July – are not ideal for the runway photos, even with kids, so they use al little powder on their faces, and as you can see, a bruise here and there gets a bit of camouflage. But as you can see in the images, James has some scratches on his face, those were not at all covered with makeup. Other than that, they are completely au natural. Oh actually, James did joke about the lipstick he had to wear! Which turned out to be lip balm, duh, but he though it was hilarious! the kids’ hair on the other hand is a big thing, and definitely this season. Scroll down and see cutest braids with ribbons in Stella’s and the other girl’s hair. I’m obsessed, and 100% the need to try it myself…
What do they do backstage? Every kid has their own person, who stays with them a 100% of the time, unless the kids are physically on the runway. Then this person would be waiting for the kid to get off the runway, and get them safe and sound back to their backstage seat. This person makes sure they are alright, that they have something to drink and eat – and get lots of Haribo candy, heaven. They also get them dressed in their looks in time, with little to no stress. They give the little ones that secure feeling they need. As a parent you really have nothing to worry about, they are in good hands. However, in the case of an emergency, every parent who has a kid walking in the show is waiting in another area, so if they need you, you are near! Then, as you can see below too, the kids all have their own rack with their looks and props.
Last but not least… Is there also a lot of waiting? Yes, it still is a fashion show, and that means there’s also a lot of waiting. But with a lot I mean just a little really, because from the time you drop them off backstage until they show starts is about an hour and a half. So realistically it all goes quite fast. Yet, of course, they need to rehearse at least one time, and get them in hair and makeup, one by one. So there’s a little waiting involved. But, as mentioned before, there’s a good vibe, there’s candy, and enough mischief to have an amazing afternoon!
Photos by Hana Le Van for Thefashionguitar.com
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