How I got there

It was late January, I was deep in the Pinterest cave, looking up fashion inspiration when I realized New York Fashion Week was right around the corner. I wondered if I should even try to go, I have only been blogging for a year and my following isn’t that big… but I wondered to myself, if I don’t try would I be missing out on an opportunity?

I had always believed that you get more opportunities by trying new things. I mean, the worst case would be that I don’t get invited and then I just work harder for next time. So I sat down, did some research, joined Style Collective (they have amazing resources to help you attend NYFW), and started writing email after email.

Side Note: I highly recommend joining Style Collective if you would like to attend NYFW, it really does help tremendously! They have a whole database of contacts and its really cheap!

I was pitching myself over and over again to PR contacts for NYFW. After I sent about 30-40 email, I sat back wondering if I would be invited and what I truly got myself into.

The very next day, I got several no’s from major brands like Ralph Lauren and some others I can’t remember. So I just figured I wasn’t going and continued on with my life. Then about a week later I got my first invite! I direct messaged, Annie Spano (the CEO of Style Collective) a screenshot of my invite to make sure it was real because I really thought I was getting scammed (LOL!) But Annie let me know that it was real!

This is when panic mode started to set in, I had about a week and a half to get everything together. My outfits, the hotel, and transportation. And due to the lack of planning, I was on an EXTREME budget for NYFW (like dollar menu budget.) I am writing another blog post about how I survived my budget. Stay tuned!

The Shows

I attended NYFW from Thursday Feb 07 to Sunday February 10th, even though it continued on until Wednesday. I was invited to more shows than I was actually able to attended. NYFW is no joke. It is EXTREMELY EXHAUSTING! To sum it up, you basically stand in long lines in the freezing cold, continue standing at the show (unless you’re cool and get a seat or you just help yourself to a seat hoping they won’t ask you to move), THEN you run to the next show to do it all over again.

Top all that off with getting up early to do hair and makeup, stressing over your outfit a little (happens to everyone) and making sure you do not forget to eat! So in all of this chaos… some shows were missed because well…. I needed a nap or a break from it all or I was defrosting from the cold.

But don’t let me sound like I am complaining, because the second you step foot inside the show, it’s like you moved into a different world where Sex in the City  and real life collide. Truly magical!

On Thursday I attended the Jiri Kalfar show. His clothes were definitely super sassy and fun. Frills, pops of bright colors, lace and dramatic sleeves. Loved the whole collection! If you would like to watch the whole show, its on my instagram- @modernvanitystyle under the NYFW highlight tab! This show I attended alone and it was really hard to take photos, so I took a video instead.

The next show I attending was Hogan McLaughlin with my husband. His clothes were more modern. Utilitarian type cuts, very boxy. He had sweatshirts with long sleeves that reached the floor. The colors were more muted, with touches of pops of color like monochromatic orange looks. All of the models wore white work boots. This show is also recorded on my instagram- @modernvanitystyle! As for attendees, this show definitely had more famous people. I got a selfie with J. Alexandar from America’s Next Top Model. I also saw 3 influencers get kicked out, and escorted out by security for trying to sit in the front row (so much drama.)

On Friday I attended or tried to attend the Hong Kong fashion show. They invited too many people, the place was so packed that I couldn’t actually see the runway. I watched the whole show through people’s cellphone screens as they recorded the show in front of me. A total bummer but ultimately my fault for not showing up early enough. Later that evening I attended a Style Collective event at Ann Taylor on 5th Avenue. It was a lot of fun and I was able to see their new clothes for spring. Then I got dinner with some other fabulous bloggers and went to NYFW parties.

On Saturday I attended the Oxford Fashion shows at Pier59. They had several designers in the shows. This was the most exciting show I attended. The fashion was amazing. There were political statement garments, bright colors, full lace dresses with matching masks, and body positive models. It was really a cool show, probably my favorite!

The designer that stood out to me the most was C’est D. She incorporate the curvy models in her show and I was so happy to see that! Following the show, I was able to go backstage and interview her. She was so nice and spoke about how it was the designers duty to create clothes for the public. She believes designers shouldn’t be neglecting what women actually look like and instead make clothes for the modern woman. It makes me so happy to see emerging designers with that type of vision for the future of fashion. If you support the cause you should definitely follow her instagram, @d_yoniyu

Shop my Fashion Week Looks

Review of Trends

From the runway to the streets, these are some trends I noted…

Ruffles- On shirts, dresses and sleeves

Monochromatic outfits-  With a focus on lavender, orange, and bright cobalt blue

Bobby-pins/Clips-  Styled in hair to show, also in bright colors or gold/silver

Silks- Silk tops with matching pants or silk suits

Crimped hair- Saw this on the runway and street style

Embellished lace- On dresses and skirts

Athleisure- Sneakers and work boots with regular outfits

So overall my weekend was great and I learned a lot. In the upcoming months I am going to be focused on bringing these trends off the runway for everyday life. Next NYFW is in September. The goal is to spend the whole week and plan everything better.

But hey, that is right around the corner!