Covering Colombiamoda, we knew that as at any fashion week, most of the action would be going on backstage. We had lots of questions: who were the top models? What was the work like? And what was everyone getting paid? In a year when organizations like the CFDA and the Model Alliance have attempted to improve backstage conditions, including by pushing for designers in New York to only hire models over the age of 16 for runway work, to provide healthful foods, and to bar backstage photography in areas where models change clothes, we were keen to take a look backstage for ourselves.

Most of the models at Colombiamoda were locals — the only foreigner we could find was Holland’s Next Top Model alum-slash-lingerie model Sylvia Geersen. But several Colombian models who work internationally came home for the shows, including the buzzed-about IMG new face (and recent Models.com MOTW) Catalina Llanes.

Daniela Quintero, who last year represented Colombia in the international Elite Model Look competition, said her week was going pretty well. “I like to see the new talent, and these very prestigious designers,” she added, before she had to head into hair and makeup for another show.

Read the full story at Fashionista