Celebrity tanning ambassadors? Catwalk flash dance choreographers? Bet your school careers advisor never told you about these…
In today’s ailing job market, it’s more difficult than ever to land your dream gig in fashion. But some clever creatives spotted tiny gaps in the industry that, quite simply, needed filling and have gone on to develop such strong reputations that every designer, celebrity and editor now has them on speed dial. We look at the super specialist services that five savvy pros are offering to the fashion world. Talk about carving a niche for yourself…
The Fashion Flash Dance Choreographer
The Expert: Les Child
Job Description: Models don't always walk straight up and down the catwalk you know. They sometimes twirl, dance, wave or jump - and on those occasions they need professional help. Cue Les, Mick Jagger's former tour choreographer, whose runaway runway performances have managed to raise smiles from even the most seasoned editors.
C.V. Highlights: Les’s most recent display (a jazz hands extravaganza at Anya Hindmarch’s AW14 show) prompted thousands of posts from excitable fashionistas on Twitter. His other key hits have included coordinating Meadham Kirchhoff’s glitzy disco dancers in 2012, and Alexander McQueen’s legendary supermodel chess set back in 2004. Check mate.
The Style Scenographer
The Expert: Alexandre de Betak
Job Description: Essentially, any show-stopping idea that your favourite megabrand can dream-up, set designer Alexandre can deliver.
C.V. Highlights: Wrangling clouds for Marc Jacobs? Sure. Building a giant mirror maze for Peter Pilotto? No problem. And that was just for AW14…
The Runway Soundtrack Composer
The Expert: Michel Gaubert
Job Description: Michel launched his career at Parisian haunt Le Palace in the early eighties and was already one of the most successful DJs on the planet before he spotted his gap in the fashion market. Nowdays, no fashion mega-production is complete without one of his uber-cool complementary soundtracks.
C.V. Highlights: At the AW14 shows alone Michel was responsible for the music at Dior, Proeza Schouler, JW Anderson and more. At Chanel, he mashed up Elton John's Tiny Dancer with Rihanna's Diamonds as the lady herself sat front row and frolicked around in a couture shopping trolley. Doesn't get much chic-er than that now, does it?
The Celebrity Tanning Ambassador
The Expert: Jules Heptonstall
Job Description: St Tropez’s CTA Jules has seen more than his fair share of stars (and a scattering of Marie Claire staffers) in the buff. He’s the industry’s favourite hose-wielding spritzer, bronzing-up everyone in his sight both backstage and on the frow.
C.V. Highlights: While you were stuck in the office daydreaming about hanging out with Sienna, Suki, Cara and co., Jules was rubbing moisturiser into their joints and prepping them for a good hosing before the AW14 Burberry show.
The Fashion Florist
The Expert: Mark Colle
Job Description: Forget garage-bought bunches, Mark is charged with creating the most jaw-dropping, Pinteresting, floral displays to wow guests at some of the world's most prestigious style events.
C.V. Highlights: Jil Sander’s perspex box arrangements in 2012. Dior’s couture bloom walls in both AW13 and SS14. Say it with flowers, he does.
