Diary of a Fashion Week model: Emma Champtaloup

A model showcases a design by Zambesi. Photo / Getty Images

TUESDAY

7.30am: I was up late the night before, because it's a stress thinking about the week ahead. I grab a piece of toast and a coffee for breakfast.

8.30am: It's call time for hair and makeup for the Cybele show. The first morning of Fashion Week is always exciting because people are fresh and happy to be there. I have to sit still for a whole half hour with a camera on me to capture the whole transformation process on stop-motion video. I'm not very good at it.

11.30am: Cybele show. There's a lot of press backstage, and everyone's flashing away with their cameras. It's all crazy.

11.45am: I have to run, as the call time for Juliette Hogan and Twenty-seven names was at 10.30am and I'm already late. They have to change my hair completely. It was all gelled down before and now it's being blow-dried and puffed up.

2.30pm: I have a break, which is good. I go home to wash my hair because it is so destroyed.

4.55pm: I get a text saying 'Where are you?' I'm needed at SkyCity for a Zambesi run-through for their 8.45pm show.

10pm: The afterparty is at Cassette 9 on Vulcan Lane. They give models a stamp for free booze, but I only stay for one drink because I have to start early tomorrow. I get home around 12.

WEDNESDAY

8.30am: Get up. They'd sewn our hair for the Zambesi show, so I have to get mum to cut out the string with scissors. I have a show at 2.30pm that was really 80s with Madonna music - all the models love it!

6.15pm: Caught a ride to the off-site Kate Sylvester show. They have Hell Pizza - she's the only one feeding us. They have chips, coke, lollies, and beer backstage - everyone's treated so well. I'd had about seven Red Bulls during the day and start getting heart palpitations when we get our legs painted - I need to sit for a second.

9pm: Show starts - the afterparty is at the same venue. It is like a big carpark and we all drink champagne until I'm dropped home at midnight.

THURSDAY

7.30am: Get up. Again I had to have string cut out of my hair. I grab a coffee - I can't drive without a coffee.

5pm: I did another Designer Selection show in the morning but the next show, GHD New Generation, is running really late, so we go out and have a few wines. There are rumours that models are drunk and throwing up backstage - which isn't true - but some models do get tipsy.

6.30pm: Showtime for GHD New Generation - it was supposed to be at 5pm.

7pm: Jump straight into taxi to get to Stolen Girlfriends show, which is due to start at 8.45. Fortunately they save us pizza and let us have a breather for five minutes before sending us through to makeup.

8.45pm: Showtime! We have beer backstage, and the show is really fun and packed. The after party is at Rising Sun, but we all have one drink and head home. I've still got three more days to go!

As told to Matt Nippert