I'm often asked how I capture people looking so relaxed and happy. One of my tricks is to act stupid (my wife would argue with the "act" part). I wanted to get a shot of Marc and his crew, so when I see my moment, I pop over and start placing them. I ask the guy on the right to turn his shoulder and the guy in the middle not to stand too straight (all of this while I'm looking very serious). I get to Marc and say, "Could you just... ah, Louis, could you move a... wait, are you Louis Vuitton? I love your stuff."

So while they're laughing at me because they think I'm a complete idiot, I step back and take the shot. And there you go: a relaxed, smiling, preshow Marc Jacobs at my expense. You're welcome.

Backstage

Blue checked jacket with matching blue checked shirt—nice.

Grace Coddington and Michael Roberts.

I really love the no-belt look here. The trick to to keep the pants sitting at the proper waist, so they don't look messy or unfinished.

I had always heard of the mythical "shorts suit," but I never thought I'd meet one face to face just outside my hotel on Rue Cambon.