While models elegantly strut on the runway and the music soothes the show’s atmosphere a whole different world hides behind the curtains. Backstage, away from sight, an incredibly hectic beehive exists with models running between makeup and wardrobe.
Amid the chaos, one super mind enforces absolute order and harmony. A choreographer is the person in charge of synchronising everyone and everything in order to reach a successful show. In other words, this hero is the solo director of each and every fashion show.
Daily News Egypt met one anonymous expert that is on the path of highlighting the major role of a choreographer. Azza Samir was born to significantly engage in the fashion scene. From a model to a modelling coach and a well-known choreographer, Samir is certainly changing a lot of the mistaken stereotypes related to her profession.
How do you define your job as a choreographer?
In my opinion, choreography is the backbone of any fashion show because it is all about creating the line up; which includes putting the outfits in a correct order according to colour harmony, fabrics and designs.
I am also in charge of the models’ fitting in cooperation with the designers, as we select the perfect model for every outfit before creating suitable choreography.
Each fashion show requires creating the perfect entrance and exit for the models. It also includes directing the creative method of displaying the outfits in different movements, in groups and individually.
It is easier to create a routine for a solo-designer show rather than create another for a multiple-designer show because I have to create a different routine for each one of them to suit his\her designs then synchronise all these routines in one symphony.
Before the show I choose the music that suits it then I rehearse with the models in order to walk them through the choreography and direct their poses and facial expressions.
Finally, choreographers are the ones responsible of the beehive working backstage as they are in charge of solving any problem that might occur.
How essential is formal education to any aspiring choreographer?
Education is important in all fields; unfortunately though we don’t have choreography courses here in Egypt. I am constantly keen on attending courses to be more updated with the international techniques.
I started learning choreography through personal experience back when I was a model. Later on I kept building on my practical knowledge with a lot of researches and online studies. Any choreographer should start his/her career as a model first in order to attain basic experience before building the rest of his/her knowledge. With that being said, not any model can develop into a choreographer because it is an independent form of art that requires talent.
How did you venture into the fashion industry?
I was a huge fan of the fashion field since a very early age; I used to watch any fashion show on TV. My ultimate childhood game included secretly borrowing my mother’s high heels, putting on lipstick, wearing her dress and imitating the models I watched on TV.
The dream of becoming a professional model kept growing in the back of my head. When I went to college my friends told me that Amina Shelbaya had a modelling agency. Without hesitating for a second, I applied to her modelling course; that course was my official start in the local field. Amina Shelbaya supported me a lot to the moment I became one of Egypt’s top models.
(Photo Handout to DNE)
Do you work for an agency or do you work independently?
I am a freelance choreographer and modelling instructor; also I have my own modelling and casting agency, Backstage Egypt.
I work with several fashion designers and event organisers; I am flexible to work under any circumstances that can lead to the perfect show.
What is your favourite part about being a choreographer?
I love each and every part of the job yet my most favourite moment must be related to the minute the show starts and I can see my vision being executed on stage plus the audience’s instant feedback.
What are the qualifications needed in your profession?
Creativity, self-confidence, strong personality, ability to work under pressure, being a hard worker but most importantly having a friendly character.
While evolving in this profession did you have any role models, if yes why these names in particular?
Amina Shelbaya is my role model in this profession, as I said I have graduated from her modelling school and she has guided me through the career shift I took when I decided to become a choreographer, we are still best friends till this day.
What is the biggest misconception regarding your job?
Unfortunately, the common public does not understand the definition of a choreographer. While some designers or organisers in the field consider this job unnecessary; in their point of view they can do it by themselves.
Other fashion insiders believe that it is an easy job that anyone could accomplish without even the slightest experience in either the fashion industry or modelling field.
A lot of the people who have worked with me on several events think that I am excessively tough or stubborn, which could not be further from the truth, the point is that my work is essential to the success of any show and all I want is to help create a successful event.
