Hi there! Happy week to you – can you believe we are entering MARCH?! Well before we leave February behind, I absolutely must share with you one of the highlights of my month (okay, year) – attending New York Fashion Week. It. Was. A. Blast. And even though I lived in New York for nearly 13 years, I hadn’t really seen this side of things so I fell in love with my old city in a whole new way.
NYFW was everything I’d hoped and expected it would be: completely bananas with back-to-back shows and events, jam packed with celebs and fashion it-girls, and most importantly, ALL THE FASHION and eye candy a stylista could ever possibly wish for.
WHAT I WORE
Don’t be disappointed, but I did not go crazy with my street style because at the end of the day, I simply can’t hang with New York’s fashion elite! I couldn’t when I lived there and I definitely can’t now. Instead, I focused on feeling confident and comfortable, rather than trying to get photographed with a crazy outfit. That’s not what the week was about for me. I just wanted to see as many shows as I could and be a part of the action.
The easiest way to feel confident in a sea of well-dressed people is to wear all black. I don’t think many would agree with me on wearing all black to NYFW, but that’s what I did! Also, gasp, I wore at least one Target piece everyday. This furry black coat from the Altuzarra for Target collection was my MVP. For most of the other pieces, I went with Rent the Runway. This Tibi black jumpsuit and Parker black dress really did make me feel like a million bucks. Even though I didn’t stand out with my crazy street style, I think these looks were fabulous!
One thing to note if you’re in a colder climate, statement coats were on every Street Style sidewalk, so get you one!! Check out my recent post on How to Wear a Statement Coat for ideas!
THE SHOWS
CHRISTIAN SIRIANO – Hands down the most exciting show of my visit and possibly of NYFW overall. It was his 10th Anniversary show, so he showed a bazillion looks – mostly gowns – each more beautiful and sparkly than the next. What a dream come true to attend! Christian is one of the only designers who has stepped up to embrace diversity on his runways and in reality by dressing celebs and models of all shapes, sizes, skin colors and genders. The real treat was getting to go backstage after the show and see the chaos that is NYFW behind the scenes. Getting a sneak peek of this look board was actually one of my favorite memories of the whole night.
This show had the most star-studded front row that included Kardi B, Coco Rocha, Laverne Cox, Whoopi Goldberg, Meg Ryan, Patricia Fields (SATC costumer) and Molly Shannon. BTW, Christian won Project Runway years back and is one of the only winners to have a truly successful design career, dressing the likes of Michelle Obama (swoon).
BIBHU MOHAPATRA – This was the show I’d been dying to see. My sister introduced me to Bibhu’s Instagram account earlier in 2017 and I’ve been so obsessed with his designs since then. This was definitely a hot-ticket show and was packed with fashion royalty like Hamish Bowles (Vogue), Amy Fine Collins (Vanity Fair), Fern Mallis (creator of fashion week as we know it today), Miss Jay (America’s Next Top Model) and many more who I should’ve known but
CHROMAT – Did any of you see the article in Glamour about the show that featured Cheetos? That was this one! Chromat is a swimwear line that also celebrates women of all shapes, sizes, skin colors and genders. The show was SO FUN and empowering with the models carrying pool noodles and yes, bags of Cheetos (attributed to a commentary on the fashion industry and unrealistic beauty standards). Emme, the first plus-sized model ever, walked the show too!
MALAN BRETON – This show was full of over the top glamour at one of New York’s most famous restaurants, Cipriani. Malan’s show is one of very few shows you can buy a ticket to, so there were a lot of tourists and non-fashion people here. My favorite part of the collection was the exaggerated shoulders and bright patterns on each of the beautifully tailored pieces. I’d been invited backstage before the show, so I got to see the models practicing an hour before, which was a pretty fun little glimpse into the non-glamorous side. he space is large enough to hold them all. This is where I saw two Real Housewives, Dorinda (and her greasy boyfriend John), and Camille Grammer, who walked in the show.
NOON BY NOOR – The first show of the week for me. I cried a little to be watching a runway show up close for the first time – not gonna lie. This collection was made up of beautiful basics in colors I love (e.g. pink), with delicate black and gold dressier pieces sprinkled in. These were clothes I would wear in real life! I met Alexa Chung backstage and also saw Olivia Palermo – two fashionista starlets I adore.
STELLA NOLASCO – This show was really powerful because the designer was spreading awareness around post-hurricane Puerto Rico. The models carried mini Puerto Rican flags and signs advocating for equality. The pieces were so feminine and beautiful and definitely something I’d dream of wearing.
VIVI ZUBEDI – I didn’t know anything about this show going in and was so pleasantly surprised to find she is a muslim fashion designer who designs full-coverage clothing and head pieces for muslim women. The embellishments on the dresses, jackets, head scarves and hats were so gorgeous and sparkly, and I loved how empowering this show was by providing stylish options for women who dress in the full-coverage muslimah style.
Here’s a little video recap of all my IG Stories footage from the shows!
BEAUTY EVENTS
Something that beauty brands do to get involved and visible during fashion week is to invite bloggers and influencers backstage and to salons for hairstyling and makeup. These were some of my favorite moments because I absolutely LOVE getting my hair and makeup done. Plus, my appointments were with two of my favorite hair brands, Aveda and Davines!
AVEDA – Such a full-circle moment for me to head to the Aveda Institute on Spring Street where I went to beauty school to get pampered with their new shine demi-gloss treatment and styled with a GORGEOUS blowout. Two products you NEED to know about: the Texture Tonic (a natural texturizing spray) and the Feed My Lips lipstick. The Sugar Apple shade is divine and looks beautiful on so many skin tones.
DAVINES – This was a dry-styling backstage at the Malan Breton show. The stylist saw my big-ass Southern curly hair and took it down a notch by deconstructing my waves, making them look less ‘done’ and a little messy. I loved it and it was quite the juxtaposition of Before: Southern v. After: New Yorker, haha. And most importantly, I got to see more backstage chaos before a show – which is so much fun.
Ultimately, I had the complete HONOR of seeing so many shows featuring diverse people, models and designers this fashion week, which I consider a truly unique and unexpected experience. I wouldn’t trade it for the world, and I can’t wait until the next time!
Outfit photos by Viva Lux Photography
