London Fashion Week: What it’s really like to be a driver at the shows

'I know more about A roads than A-line'

(Olivia Petter)

London Fashion Week is the busiest time of year for those working in the industry. Editors, buyers and influencers come together for five days of dashing between shows and coffee shops while designers work frantically behind the scenes to get their collections ready in time.

But there’s one demographic that is rarely mentioned amid the sartorial chaos – and their role is no less relentless.

Introducing the fashion week driver. They’re the person whose job it is to ferry hordes of industry insiders around London, navigating the city’s busy streets to make sure everyone gets to where they need to be, ideally before Anna Wintour.

The irony is that despite these drivers being such integral cogs in fashion week’s machine, they might know nothing about fashion at all. All they need to do is drive: it really doesn’t matter whether or not they can spell “Gabbana”.

Ahead of day one at LFW, The Independent spoke to seasoned fashion week driver (and former policeman) Peter Goodwin about what really goes on behind his wheel.

What time do you start work on a typical London Fashion Week day?

Start times can vary depending on show schedules, which are flexible. For day one this season, I’m starting at 8.15am.

Fashion week driver Peter Goodwin (Olivia Petter)

The days can be long and late depending on the fashion team’s stamina. It’s not just the catwalk shows, the VIP parties are also prolific and part of the job is to be seen at the right events.

I usually finish after midnight, but as most fashion editors have Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks still to come, they pace themselves. But not always. I keep a supply of water and snacks to make sure they carb up for the longer days.

Do you normally pick editors up from their homes?

Generally that works best for an editor, especially if it’s a very early start. They want to arrive in style and make sure they’re looking their best, that isn’t going to happen if they have to get the Tube and there’s a downpour. They prefer to use the car hotspot to check their emails, catch up on what’s happening for the show schedule as well as do their make-up.

Peter drives Lifestyle Writer Olivia Petter around during London Fashion Week (Olivia Petter)

What do you do while you wait for editors between shows?

While we are waiting to pick people up, we chat to the other drivers as generally we all know each other having worked on LFW for years. Before that, we check the schedule to see if there are any changes for the next show and also if there are any traffic incidents. We can get directions, make calls, send and receive messages as well as enjoy a playlist or two.

What’s the strangest request you’ve had from someone you’ve driven at LFW?

I have had many strange requests but they may not be printable; what goes on in our car stays in our car. Although I have had many passengers insist on me taking their preferred routes, which can result in two-hour long delays sometimes! It’s best to leave the driving up to us...

Peter Pilotto at London Fashion Week for spring/summer 2016 (Getty Images)

Who is the most famous person you’ve ever driven at LFW?

I have driven pretty much all of the top fashion editors in my time as well as A-list actresses, actors and singers. Most are completely charming and chatty.

Do you learn about the fashion industry when you’re driving people?

We might get the odd snippet but mostly we are too focused on what we are doing to tune in.

What is your favourite thing about fashion today?

I’m afraid I know more about A roads than A-line skirts. You’ve only got to look at me to see I’m not very fashionable.

Snacks are an essential provision in every Fashion Week car (Sarah Young)

How did you go from being a policeman to a Fashion Week driver?

I left the police force in 2010 and thought that because I enjoyed driving, I would take a look around and see what work was on offer. Then I found the company I work at now, Parkers, and have been there ever since. It’s much less stressful than being a policeman: the people I have in the back of my car now don’t want to kill me.

What do you like about the car you are driving this LFW?

I love driving Volvos. For a long day, they are the most comfortable – and some of the interiors in the XC40 models are made from recycled plastic bottles.