Day 1
6:00am – Wake up randomly dying of thirst. I’m too pooped to get out of the sack when it dawns on me — today is the first day of New York fashion Week! Yay! I head into my closet for inspiration— which dress will I don? Which bag with accompany me on today’s adventures? I peek through my window to see what it looks like outside, but it’s pitch black and terribly cold. I make an executive decision to snooze for another hour.
Day 1
7:00am – Sam Champion warns of “bone-chilling cold.” It’s 15 degrees now but will soar to a whopping 20 degrees by mid-afternoon. Decide I was being too ambitious with my original thoughts of wearing a dress today. Instead, I opt for my YSL cropped tweed blazer, J.Crew silk camisole, Helmut Lang boyfriend trousers and an armful of MCL bangles.
My MCL bangles.
8:15am – Time to pack for for the day’s festivities! Mini PC? Check! ESSENCE and personal Blackberries? Check! Today’s issue of WWD? Check! Invitations and schedule for today’s shows? Check!
9:00am – Throw on my floor-length YSL wool coat, cinch the waist for the major hourglass effect and grab my jumbo Salvatore Ferragamo satchel. Forgot that it’s the kind of bag that already weighs a ton when it’s empty, so now that it’s packed to capacity it could definitely be used as a heavy weapon if need be. Time to make my way through the frozen tundra that is Brooklyn and hop on the A train to the BCBG show in Lincoln Center. While en route, I pay a visit to to the Golden Arches for a large coffee and a bacon egg and cheese McGriddle sandwich. Nothing like some healthy grubbin’ in the mornin’!
9:45am – Emerge from the station and head to the media trailer across the street from the Lincoln Center tents to pick up my press badge. The line looks like day one of a Christian Louboutin sample sale. Think I’ll just proceed to the tents instead and nab my badge after BCBG wraps.
10:15am – Decide to do some work while I wait and respond to some emails via blackberry. I have a mini panic attack as I realize my mailbox is full.
10:30am – The show starts. A parade of models clad in sheer maxi dresses storm the runway. Loving the styling here — the dresses become fall-friendly by layering a lightweight turtleneck bodysuit underneath. Note to self: Do this with all of my summer dresses! Future story idea: Fun ways to rework your wardrobe and get the most bang for your buck. One model storms out in a sheer maxidress with oragami folds — I am obsessing!!!
11:00am – Head back to media trailer for second attempt at picking up press badge. This time the plan is a success. Yay!
11:20 – Hop in a cab. On my way to Milk Studios on 15th Street for Vena Cava show. Upon arrival, I check in and take my seat. The calm before the storm…
10:30 – The show starts. One model saunters out in a sleek grey leather button-front, high-waisted midi-skirt. I LIVE FOR THIS SKIRT!
I also fall in love with an amazing oversized colorblock leather and wool jacket shown with high-waisted black leather shorts.
Post-show I head backstage to chat with the designers who mention that this collection was inspired by 90s pop culture references as shown in the cool mini mag that all attendees leave the show with.
1pm – Riding on the high of my leather moment at Vena Cava, I make the ambitious decision to walk to the Jenni Kayne show at Industria Studios, which is right in the neighborhood. 1 embarrassingly fall (heel got caught in a crack in the pavement) and 10 throbbing toes later, I realize these beat up New York City streets were definitely not made for walking in sky-high shoes!
1:30pm – Jenni Kayne show starts. I’m loving all of their punchy brights. I SO want to be the model clad head-to-toe in fuschia silk. I know..it sounds scary, but the streamlined silhouette keeps this look remarkably chic. Nana would definitely approve – she’s been wanting to rid me of my black and gray editor’s wardrobe for years. Another favorite look nominee!
2:00pm – After the trauma of walking to my last show, I decide to cab it to the WHIT presentation on 26th and 11th. This uber-cute collection features chic pieces that each, on their own, will appeal to women of all ages. I love the kooky styling with nerdy glasses, mixed prints and layering. I chat it up with the designer, who says her inspiration for Fall was a girl playing dress up in her grandmother’s closet. I love the unmistakeably vintage feel of this collection.
I love the kooky styling with nerdy glasses, mixed prints and layering. I chat it up with the designer, who says her inspiration for Fall was a girl playing dress up in her grandmother’s closet. I love the unmistakeably vintage feel of this collection.
Day 1
3pm – Arrive back at the tents via cab. Waiting for Luca Luca to start. I am insanely hungry, haven’t had a chance to grab lunch yet. My stomach is growling so loud that I keep rustling papers and fake coughing to cover up the rumbles. I think the other editors sitting beside me have realized that I am the culprit. If it weren’t for these cranberries I’ve been snacking on, I would have gnawed my arm off by now!
Day 1
3:30 – Luca Luca show begins. I am immediately floored by a short sleeve, hooded jacket lined in fur! I am dying for it! Silver fox fur is pouring out of the hood and sleeves! I want it! Sigh…but alas, it’s probably the price of two houses! Well, a girl can dream can’t she?
3:35pm – Wait! Another Lela moment, but this one is gargantuan! Just as I am learning to let go of the hooded jacket I can never have, I am floored by an INSANE hunter green leather and fox fur cape! Belissima! My love affair with Luca Luca continues! This one probably costs the price of a small island.
3:45pm – I venture backstage to chat with the designer and to catch a glimpse at that gorgeous cape up close. He explains to me that this season’s collection is all about ladylike silhouettes mixed with touches of the great outdoors.
I take a few backstage pics of the polaroid fittings that occurred pre-show. I get to touch the fur cape that will now haunt me for months, but my heart drops as I see one of the backstage assistants swiftly pack it away. Sigh…
4:00pm – I pop in next door to the Mara Hoffman presentation. I feel like a packed sardine in the tiny, crowded venue, but am obsessing over the clothes. I spot model Dani (of ANTM fame) donning an amazing tribal print belted coat and turban! Uber chic!
I am totally loving this collection—the bold prints, use of color, the styling! I stumble upon the last model in the lineup who gives me a MAJOR Grace Jones moment in a hooded, backless maxidress. To die for!
I am loving the nail treatment on the models at this show. Perfect for fashionistas with nubby nails like lil’ old me!
Day 1
4:30 – I take my seat at the Tadashi show in Lincoln Center. While waiting for the show to start I spot the gorgeous Sheryl Lee Ralph! Heey Sheryl! She was kind enough to snap a pic with me.
The show begins. Pops of color and ethereal layers of chiffon are a common thread. The finale gowns provide major drama. A strapless maribou-trimmed one seems just perfect for the forthcoming Oscars.
5:00pm – Exiting Tadashi I run into fierce fashionistas Julee and Zandile! HEY GIRLS!!! We decide to share a cab down to Robert Verdi’s luxe lab.
5:30pm – Pop into Robert Verdi’s Lux Lab — an editor’s fashion week triage. Nourish my growling belly with fried dumplings, fried chicken and anything else fried that I can get my hands on! While we eat, Robert hips us to the hautest finds that will be flying off the shelves next season and treats us to amazing goody bags of product to test out!
I run into fashionista extraordinaire June Ambrose while visiting the lounge. The star stylist is set to launch a line of turbans!
7:00pm – Arrive back at the office to work on expenses, download images for today’s shows, compile notes for today’s diary and MY review schedule for upcoming shows.
Unload all of the bizarre giveaway items that I accumulated throughout the day. My Ferragamo satchel now feels like Tumi luggage.
<I’ve come to my favorite part of the day—ballet flat time! I snack on nachos while I work.
9:30pm – Exhausted, I hop in a cab home to Brooklyn. I’m so tired that I try to pay the fare with a Duane Reade card.
