The average fashion show lasts seven minutes. Seven minutes of forming snap judgments about garments that you can't even see properly as they whip past on beautiful people you can't help noticing more than the clothes. Seven minutes of distraction and then it's over. I've had the privilege of assisting some of the country's great fashion designers over the years, helping them create the magic that elevates those seven minutes. I've mixed music for Marianne Fassler, made print designs for Black Coffee and created logos for young design label Land.Though each designer's approach, vision and execution is different I've always found that there are similarities in the franticness leading up to "show day" and in the incredible amount of collaboration that goes into each show.Each collection is a manifestation of the hard work and vision not only of the designer but also of an army of individuals: seamstresses, tailors, weavers, craftsman, interns, stylists, friends, family, significant others, show organisers, PR people and the willingly-called-into-action ( like me.)"It's important that I don't chase an outcome but focus instead on a result," said avant garde menswear designer Roman Handt. "It's interesting to see how people in my circle interpret my work. I'm excited about the outcome of the show when other people have influenced it."This season I assisted friend and milliner Chanellé Vlok, who created 10 giant, white plaster masks for Handt's latest collection Identity Dweller.This year Handt's story concerned male stereotypes in Western society and his desire to break free of those stereotypes by using translucency and mesh in his designs and by exploring gender neutrality by making the groom equally as flamboyant as the bride.Next time you find yourself in the front row take those seven minutes to think of all the hands that went into to making them extraordinary...