NYFW. Even the acronym somehow felt intimidating to me. The premise of being surrounded by pin thin models, tastemakers who wear socks with open toed shoes, and designers – the fortunate few whose work would be paraded down runways – who likely said words like “fierce” just because. I imagined they even fancied their morning espresso and apple to be fierce. I wanted a fierce apple.
But this picture I’m painting – this world that may very well still exist – is how it felt for me the past few years of attending NYFW. This year was something different. I was relaxed – I actually enjoyed myself – I didn’t fidget and fixate like Vivian in “Pretty Woman,” squirming in her expensive frock; I didn’t worry about my hair looking too messy or not Alexa Chung messy enough, and I didn’t make that dumb non smiling face in pictures in an effort to look cool; (please note: I had been told to softly say “prune” as the fashionista evidently do so that your lips do this enviable pursed thing and your cheek bones suck in – I felt ridiculous). Now maybe NYFW has changed or perhaps the change was in me & my evolving perspective – in the discovery over the years that Tory Burch could be the kindest woman to walk the earth, that Rachel Zoe is real, that one day I may be able to pull off trends that seem wildly absurd to me, and that an apple – even in NYFW, even in the hand of a CFDA award winning designer – is always just an apple.
Here is a glimpse into my NYFW: the friends I made, the familiar faces I saw, the outfits I adored, and the makeup I used to doll myself up for all the events.
Designer Altuzarra launched a capsule collection with Target, and I ventured down to the event wearing the tuxedo suit from the collection. The next morning I attended the Peter Som show wearing one of his cropped tops with this Giambattista Valli skirt and nude Louboutins – I pinned my hair back with a few rogue bobby pins to complete this modern ladylike look.
Marchesa launched an exclusive capsule collection with ShopStyle which I was happy to attend and support Georgina Chapman & Keren Craig, whose designs I always adore. I met Olivia Palermo at the event and we had a mutual swoon! She’s lovely and a great reminder that fashion girls are still just real girls. The Edie Parker event was a must attend for me since Brett and her team have been so supportive of The TIG. I also chatted with Jenna Lyons here – my ultimate style crush.
Typically for fashion week, a full glam team arrives to your home or hotel to make your hair and makeup photog worthy – but truth be told, that stresses me out. It adds an extra layer of pressure unless it’s with my sweetheart and makeup artist, extraordinaire, Daniel, but he was booked well in advance. So we brainstormed and realized I could do this on my own – I’ve looked at this face for 33 years so one can hope I know how to paint it. This magical beauty guru of mine suggested the ultimate products that would help me get all dolled up. Here are the pieces of the puzzle I used for my NYFW week look. My tip: just keep it simple….and smile!
Photos via: hero (http://4.bp.blogspot.com)