Backstage at the first-ever FAO mountain fashion show

19/12/2022

As hairstylists and make-up artists worked their magic for a unique fashion show to take place at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Headquarters in Rome for International Mountain Day (IMD), models were seen scurrying around the FAO Library, hurrying between rehearsals in preparation for the highly anticipated IMD high-level event.

The eye-catching looks at the show included a recent collaboration between the Peruvian women’s collective Illariy Threads4Dreams and Italian-Haitian fashion designer and Mountain Partnership Goodwill Ambassador Stella Jean, together with the Mountain Partnership Secretariat and the FAO Women’s Committee. 

The fashion show also showcased looks from Stella Jean’s previous Mountain Partnership collaboration with Kyrgyz artisan group Topchu in 2021, and a United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) project with Kalash women in Pakistan (2019) and a project with Haiti.

A conference room located next to the quiet study area was bustling with feverish activity backstage at the FAO fashion show – a sharp contrast to the shelves of treasured books and academic journals from across the world.

Make-up brushes, eye-shadow palettes, hair accessories and mood boards listing all outfits covered desks, whilst models carefully checked their contouring in Hollywood mirrors, in between sips of coffee. Hair extensions hung off the back of chairs and whiteboards were used as coat stands.
After each look was complete, models walked in single file to the nearby Sheikh Zayed Centre for the final run through. Excitement and expectations were high.

The space buzzed with activity, not just from the assorted artists and stylists busy at work on the 20 models, but also from FAO colleagues participating in the show, some as models and some as speakers, a first for the Organization.

Music hummed as clothes were taken off racks, ready for each model to wear. Shoes in every colour lined the floor, the last accessories were added, and final touches of hair and make-up complete.

Gianluca Carrozza, teacher from the fashion division of Accademia di Belle Arti of Rome, said, “It was a really exciting experience to be able to contribute to this event because it allowed me a glimpse into Stella Jean's work and at the collections designed for this very unique project. This is also why I decided to involve, as model dressers, a group of fifteen students from the fine arts academy, where I teach tailoring techniques and fashion design.”

Students from Accademia Del Lusso in Rome recorded key moments for social media and prepared content reels. Arianna Fusillo, Social Content Creator, highlighted, “This is our first experience inside this special show, creating social content for Stella Jean’s team. As a content creator, it is a very important task. It’s fascinating and very hard to ensure you get all these special moments from different angles.”

Chief Hair Stylist Danilo Spacca added, “I think fashion has become more and more inclusive in the past few years and this fashion show was a real testament to that.”

Talking about his experience, Global Senior Artist Michele Magnani from MAC Cosmetics reflected, “It was wonderful to represent MAC Cosmetics in creating the make-up for Stella Jean's show at FAO. It's exciting for me to interpret the look of unique and strong women. The make-up I designed for this show is a celebration of inclusiveness, diversity, and sustainability. Through the magic of colour and atmosphere that countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Haiti, and Peru evoke. Each country has a different storytelling and aesthetic. I am proud to have been part of this very important project. I thank Stella Jean for yet another demonstration of esteem and trust and the FAO Director General and Deputy Director-General  for the warm welcome.”

A sustainable and ethical catwalk

The looks were accompanied by FAO colleagues representing each of the four countries. Meerim Samir (Kyrgyzstan), Mahrukh Sarwar (Pakistan), Rocio Condo (Peru) and Cristina Alderighi (Haiti) all took time out of their busy work schedules to present an emotional and moving narrative of why women move mountains.

Recalling her journey in this collaboration, Cristina Alderighi, OSL Programme Officer and Vice Chair of the FAO Women’s Committee, commented, “It is so rewarding to witness how an innovative idea that bridges fashion and sustainable development can progressively materialize. Thanks to this cooperation with different stakeholders who share the common purpose of contributing to gender equality, we are empowering female artisans in mountain communities. As we say in Haiti, 'L’union fait la force'. Strength and unity are necessary tools to move mountains.”