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on me: blazer dress, nude heels, circle bag
on Emily: blazer (similar) pants (similar), t-shirt, earrings, crossbody purse (similar), red heels (similar)
Another New York Fashion Week has come and go. The September NYFW is the biggest one of the two (another one in February). In September they show the Spring collection of the following year, and in February they show the fall collection. The reasoning for is is because back in the day before everything was instance gratification, fashion week was for buyers, editors, and stylists. Buyers of stores like Bergdorf’s to see what they wanted in their stores, stylists to see what they wanted to style their clients in, and editors (Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar) to write in their magazines so their readers will know what will be on trend in the upcoming season. Now-a-days with social media, bloggers, and live streaming, showing a collection 6 months in advance is starting to become an ancient idea. More brands are showing ready to wear items that can be bought now (but not all brands do this). Other’s have pathed their own path by showing their collection outside of the famous week. Fashion week has really changed over the years but I still think it holds the same magic. Every show I attend I feel like I am on cloud 9. I used to sit at home and watch the shows live stream, praying that someday I will be in that room. And here I am, attending my 7th season, sitting in front row of a few shows, and having a marvelously time doing so!
The September fashion week is the one that brands go all out for, bloggers fly in for, and everyone patiently waits for. It’s also a lot warmer than the February one. This year I took a slightly different approach than past seasons. This year I decided I wanted to skip events and focus more on shows. Of course this stance didn’t really held up when I tagged along to an event after some convincing from friends. It’s easy to wear yourself thin during fashion week, running from show to meetings to events. I wanted to focus on what I normally do not get to do, and that is attend runway shows.
Fashion week really starts about a month in advance. As a blogger I have to request to be invited. I do this by emailing PR agencies and brands, hoping for a response. You really do not hear back from brands and the agencies to about less than a week before the show (sometimes day before). It’s hard to really plan out what is going to happen during fashion week, but it is always so exciting! There are a few different types of bloggers; those that never go to fashion week, those that only go to attend events and schedule meetings, those that pop in for one special show, those that only go to the shows, and those that do it all. I have been all of the above at some point. As seasons go on I will continue to be going to shows and events as long as the brands will have me. Some bloggers do not like the shows because they take a big portion out of your day. You spend most of your time waiting in line for a 5-10 minute show. As someone who hates waiting in line, I think it’s worth it to see the beautiful clothes in person go down the runway.
This past NYFW I was fortunate to have gone to more shows than in the past. Thursday and Friday were my busiest days and the most tiring. I kicked off fashion week one the morning of the first day by attending the Noon by Noor show. This was one that I was so giddy that I was invited to! Noon by Noor collections are always beautiful, minimalist, and feminine. I adore their clothing and knew this show was going to be my top favorite. It definitely was one of them! There were lots of light blues, pink florals, white-delicate detailing, as if the collection was made for me! Also Lea Michele and Miss. Jay Alexander was sitting caddy-corner from me. I snuck in a few pics! After Noon by Noor I had Tadashi. The Tadashi show was filled with ombre coloring on evening gowns. After that I had Pamella Roland. Her collections always feel like a fairytale with beautiful ballgowns, delicate floral detailing as well as feathers and sequins. It’s all so dreamy! Thursday evening I had the Nicole Miller show; always one of my favorites! Filled with fun music, edgy garments mixed in with feminine styles, and of course the dance party of the finale walk. This is my 3rd Nicole Miller show; I have always had a blast during it!
Friday afternoon I headed over to the Dream Hotel Downtown to get my hair done by Redken and my makeup done by Maybelline. Each season Redken and Maybelline make me look 10 times better than I could ever do to myself. It’s fun to get pampered with your friends right before a show. Catching up with other bloggers who may not live in NYC. That evening I went to the Chromat show. I have to say this wasn’t my favorite. It was not the clothes (actually swimsuits) that I disliked, the evening itself was a headache that unfortunately warped the show into. Shows never start on time, that is a given. When the start says 6pm, it really does not start until 6:30-6:40. This way they can get everyone in, and for those important folks who run from show to show have time to hop in a taxi, go to another location and make it on time to see the show. However, the rest of us little people wait in line forever. Usually they start letting you into the building (you wait outside), around 6pm to a quarter after. Chromat, however, I did not get in until 6:40. I was the last group to get into the building, as I had a standing ticket. Not only am I not a fan of waiting, but I HATE being late. To me, getting there right as the music started playing and the first model going down the aisle, that was being late for me. Being the last group also meant that I had to stand the entire time of the show… not a big deal at all, that didn’t bother me. It’s a privilege to be there, not a right. What pampered the evening for me was the two ladies in front of me who had a seat that decided to stand up the whole time. I couldn’t get a good picture of the models and could hardly see as the women were taller than me. When I asked them to sit down one lady turned around a snapped at me. I was completely stunned at what she said, it was uncalled for. I was already irritated with waiting in line for so long, being “late”, and now her nasty attitude, it was all a complete turn off. I decided to ignore them, stop trying to take pictures, and just enjoy the show. I am glad I did that because Chromat celebrates diversity. There was all sorts of different body types there, as well as transgenders, a woman who had a prosthetic leg, some with skin disorders, etc. The audience was cheering loudly, celebrating everyone’s uniqueness. It was cool to see and be a part of! Maybe the two ladies in front of me, causing me to not be able to take pictures was god’s way of telling me to take in what it is that I am, in the moment, a part of. It’s history– having a different type of models that isn’t your standard type. Now that I think about it more, it was a pretty cool show and I am glad I was there!
After the show there was the Lulu’s party. Every year they throw a big blogger appreciation party– I have never been before. I have never worked with Lulu’s nor have I shopped there, so I never reach out to get an invite. And I usually have another event or show to attend during the party. Well this year I didn’t have a ticket to go, so I snuck in. As I said I wasn’t in the mood to go to any events this year but after the night that I had, I needed a drink. Oh, I should of have mentioned that after the Chromat show I waited for an Uber for over an hour! One guy was aimlessly driving around (even driving uptown and not downtown where I was). He ended up cancelling on me, two other drivers cancelled on me. Then one guy drove around for about 10 minutes, faked picked me up and charged me. Meaning, he never picked me up and said he did and still charged me (I got my money back). At this point I was livid. Sitting there on the steps of Spring Studios for an hour….. I needed a drink. I decided to stop using Uber and called for a Lyft– he got there in 4 minutes… SO by the time I arrived at the party I was ready to mingle and have some fun! And that I did! The party was a blast and I am so happy my friends convinced me to go!
Saturday was a little rough getting up. Not only was I buzzing from the night before still, my body was starting to feel the effects of fashion week– tired and worn down. I somehow mustered up the strength to get out of bed, shower and get ready for my morning show. I attended Yuna Yang, whose show was at St. Marks Church. I loved being there in the church looking at all of the beautiful clothing, it was a lovely experience. Somehow I do not think that is what Jesus had in mind when he would gather with the disciples to talk about the word of god, but clothing is my religion… I’ll take it! I guess it does beat the creepiness of Rodarte show that was held in a cemetery…. while it rained ( I did not attend that one). Anyway, the clothing was beautiful! Yuna Yang was a I’ll take a chance on you designer. I have never heard of the brand before but after looking them up online, I knew I would appreciate the style. And I was right, it was filled with florals, lots of lace and ruffles.
Later that day I attended Jonathan Simkhai presentation. I about died! The collection was SO good! It was definitely a pinch me moment! Jonathan Simkhai is a big designer, and everyone there was all the important people in the fashion industry. And then there was little ol’ me. Rubbing elbows with Linda Fargo, Olivia Palmero and her gorgeous husband, and more, I felt like I just found the golden ticket. The clothes were so beautiful– delicate, feminine, almost like a modern prairie. The presentation was filled with greenery and cute white benches–that the models would take turns rotating around to different stations. I could NOT stop taking pictures, I didn’t want it to end!
Sunday was another I’ll take a chance on you show with the brand Nonie. The only thing I knew prior to NYFW was that Nonie designed Meghan Markles recent trench dress. I had to see what this designer was all about. I am SO glad I went to it. Stunning, elegant styles with simple, silk garments; I fell in love with it all!
Fashion week was amazing and I can not wait to see what February has in store for me! Hoping to go to even more shows and possibly attend some of my dream ones! Heres to praying, hoping, and making dreams come true!