While it's tempting to think the fashion set subsist on caffeine and cigarettes alone (with Champagne to get the daily calorie quota up, naturally), we have to dispel that rumour. However, they are often as particular about what goes in their mouths as what goes on their bodies: good quality, good tasting food and snacks are key, especially during those long days and nights that go into prepping for a fashion show.
For the editors, designers, makeup artists, PRs, models, buyers, hairdressers and more who are running around from show to show during London Fashion Week, venue to venue and event to event (even those getting around with the help of a chauffeured vehicle), finding the time and right snacks between shows is as crucial as making sure you've stashed the correct day's invites in your bag.
Thank goodness for the Topshop venue, which plays host to some of the best treats that editors and buyers could wish for - including nonstop champagne, espresso and water and tasty snacks like cheese and olives or bacon canapes - and all gratis. It's a haven.
The Pure Package's sweet potato, beetroot and goat's cheese salad. Courtesy The Pure Package
Backstage before the show is where all the action is, so we decided to get the scoop on what insiders are snacking on behind the scenes. Jaeger's design director, Stuart Stockdale, tells us: "I generally say no to bread and wheat-based food on the run-up to the show and try to graze regularly on lighter things such as nuts, sushi, edamame beans and wasabi peas, which seem to keep my energy levels high. Then a glass or two of wine or sake is always welcome and gets me through when working into the early hours."
Keeping energy levels up while including a balanced diet is a key concern for all involved, which is why designers Matthew Williamson, Julian MacDonald and Mary Katrantzou enlisted delivery diet service, The Pure Package, backstage at their shows this season for their crew. Balanced and tasty dishes like rose harissa spiced butternut and couscous salad with raspberry vinaigrette and thai free-range chicken, shitake mushroom and coconut rice noodle salad were on the menu.
Backstage at Burberry, Bumble & bumble hairstylist Neil Moodie was snacking on "almonds, buckwheat bars and water" which kept him going between "meals of fish and leafy green vegetables."
When he can step out for a proper meal out, his favourite restaurants for London Fashion Week are Soho House and The Ivy. Fellow Bumble & bumble stylist James Pecis says that he's also chomping on almonds and bananas backstage. His hangouts include the "Kingsland Road Turkish restaurant and Spurstowe Arms at London Fields."
MAC Senior Artist Debbie Finnegan says: "Often backstage food is provided and its usually someone like Prêt in the form of sandwiches and fruit. I think most people will head to Starbucks for coffee if given half a chance as it seems to be a firm favourite for coffee."
"You eat as and when you can, when the models go for run-through is usually your best opportunity and you make sure you do it fast!"
In her downtime, "I love Garden Cafe near the MAC Pro Store for home-made style food and a proper brew," says Finnegan.
Prêt-à-Portea's "Greatest Hits" menu. The Berkeley
We have to admit, this healthy food sounds delicious... but we'd need a bit of sugar to get us through it all. Even though London Fashion Week may be over - until next season! - we know where to go to get a tasty treat to keep our sweet tooth and sartorial tastes satisfied.
Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley has unveiled its "Greatest Hits" collection in celebration of its fifth anniversary, voted on by fans. So while we think about what we're craving to buy for a/w 2011, we might as well snack on it as well. Some of the top items include LFW names like Alice Temperley's apple and pannacotta mousse and Paul Smith's orange and pink cranberry mousses topped with a white chocolate bowler hat.
And unlike the fashions we just saw on the catwalks (we have to wait until summer to get our mitts on those), the gratification from these treats is instant.