There is a unique energy connected with fashion shows that I've never found anywhere else, and IN's Fashion Night Out at The Depot last Friday was no exception. I heard that the show was fantastic. Yes, I was there, I was there all night long, but didn't see any of the show! That's how it is when you're a designer or retailer showing your own collection; you spend all your time backstage.

While everything may look seamless to the audience, behind the scenes can be complete chaos. It all begins with the hair and makeup team. Landis Lifestyle Salon brought their army of stylists, captained by Nikki Breedlove. Having almost 40 girls and 10 guys to style required 13 hairstylists, eight makeup artists and four hours of time. The Aveda creative team used at least five bottles of hairspray, creating windblown up-dos, cornrow braids and organic styles with massive amounts of teasing. The clothes the models would be wearing inspired the edgy urban makeup style.

While models are being styled, the designers, retailers and dressers are steaming and pressing the clothes, and organizing and finalizing each model's outfit; looks are arranged on rolling racks in order of presentation on the runway. Last-minute fittings and adjustments are worked on, and I was still hemming one of my dresses!

Once the model is styled and in her first outfit, this is the hurry up and wait part of the night. Many models spend this time perfecting their walk, practicing poses, or just chatting and wondering when things will start to happen. Will the show start on time? Of course not, there is a reason for the term "fashionably late!"

This waiting time is a tricky time for the dressers. They help dress the models and make sure that before they step on the runway, that the outfit is impeccable. Trying to keep the models from sitting down, bending over or doing all the other things they manage to come up with to make wrinkles can be challenging.

When it's our turn, we head up the old-fashioned freight elevator with those iron manual gates that drops us off directly backstage. As soon as the elevator opens, we hear the pulsating music and the energy is intense. Peeking through the curtains, I catch a glance of the buff, handsome models in Suits by Leone. The crowd loved them! We enjoy a few minutes of dancing around and getting totally pumped up, because in just moments, mayhem will erupt.

After a quick high-five, the first models are cued onstage. The second they finish their walk and get backstage out of sight, it's a mad dash to the clothing rack, undoing buttons or belts or zippers to change into the next outfit. The dressers swarm around them, the model stands there with her arms in the air as one dresser lifts her clothes over her head, someone else is taking off the shoes and another dresser is having her step into her next look. If it is a really fast change, the clothes just get flung onto the floor and dealt with later.

The entire change can take as little as 30 seconds, working fast is key because there isn't much time, and you're usually working in the dark. Then the model gets back in line, works her magic on the runway again, and is back for the next change. The shows go by so quickly; there is only one chance to get it right so every detail is critical.

It's the models who make the clothes look good; your models can make or break the quality of a show. Usually a model is expected to just be a walking mannequin: tall, remarkably skinny, and straight-faced with no expression. Hey, it works for New York. But with IN's show, we wanted to have a little more fun with it, so joining the professional models on the runway were a few entertaining surprises. IN's Ryan Michael Painter and Amanda Chamberlain rocked the runway, along with Lorrie Dohoney, head of the famed burlesque troop "The Slippery Kittens," Deena Marie Manzanares, local actress and YouTube star, as well as TV personalities Jen Hardman and Scot Verrone from Park City TV's Mountain Morning Show, Jennifer West, producer for Channel 2, and Fox 13's anchor/reporter, Nineveh Dinha.

Dinha has always been a fashion enthusiast; she modeled when she was younger, and even considered fashion design as a career. She says, "the fashion show brought back memories, and made me remember how fun and exciting it is to strut your stuff. Having my hair and makeup done made me feel like a rock star!"

After the final strut, it's time to rummage through the rubble, re-hang, organize and pack up all the clothes to go back to the stores, and hope that you'll leave with everything that you came with. I somehow misplaced a blouse and an earring, not bad considering the number of models, looks and quick changes that were involved.

Many thanks to all those who made this show possible including Albert Chloe, Peach Boutique, Urban Outfitters, Vintage Fox Boutique, Suits by Leone, JMR/Lolabella, and Danny Nappi, and Justin Grant Photography. Even from backstage, I knew it was fabulous!