In Spades

On our last full day of NYFW we were invited backstage to Ji Oh. The show took place at the High Line Hotel in Chelsea, and we arrived early to get a glimpse of the hair styling by Bumble & Bumble. Under the direction of mater stylist Tina Outen, the hair featured a play on fringe, an element Oh used in her collection.

First, let me just say that Tina is one of the most delightful people you will ever meet. A lover of pink, we bonded over our matching hair/dress situation before she walked us through her vision for the day. The goal was to create light and airy style through an intricate process of twisting the models hair through large bobby pins and sealing it with a flat iron. After setting, the pins were removed, brushed out and manipulated into a style with feather-like texture. Paired with fresh faces and yellow eyebrows from the makeup artists, it was a perfect compliment to Ji Oh’s spring collection.

Bumble & Bumble UV Protective Dry Oil Finishing Spray – also used on my hair!

With Lan, who also styled the show and was responsible for my haircut

The Collection


Ji Oh launched her namesake line two years ago and immediately caught the attention of industry veterans. She was inducted into the CFDA Incubator 4.0 – a business development program geared toward developing emerging designers in New York – and is a finalist of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.

With an eye for clean, versatile pieces that bend androgynous, her S/S17 collection was inspired by shirting. Playing off the idea of being in uniform, she reinterpreted the Oxford shirt by showing crisp pieces accented with grommets, rope belts and ruched details. A lover of voluminous, clean silhouettes, Oh’s collection really spoke to me. Her multi-layered looks featuring pinstripes and yellow (huge color trend for spring!) were exactly the type of silhouette that feels easy yet utterly sophisticated.


Fringe also played a part at Ji Oh, but unlike the abundance we’ve seen on the runway in seasons past, Oh used a light touch. My favorite interpretation was her flare-leg pants. By cutting slits up to the knees, she added fringe to the inside creating a lovely peek-a-boo effect that felt both playful and chic. She paired each look with brogues from Repetto and Wolford fishnet stockings that were worn over the shoes. It was an unorthodox styling choice that I absolutely loved.



Special thanks to Bumble & Bumble

On Day 5 of NYFW we had a very full day of shows. I chose this vibrant pink dress I picked up in Positano during a trip to Italy last fall. Not only is it a statement maker, but it’s comfortable, practical (has pockets!) and looks pulled together, which is exactly what I wanted since we’d be going backstage and meeting a couple designers face-to-face.

The color didn’t disappoint – it grabbed the attention of several street style photographers and multiple film crews – I was interviewed by TRESemme, two Chinese TV stations and a fashion production company out of London. If I ever manage to find the footage I’ll be sure to post it here!

In the meantime, here is some BTS footage of my interview with TRESemme (I’m the lady in pink across the street).

When it comes to getting dressed, it’s always good to know what statement colors you look best in so you can tailor your wardrobe accordingly. If you took a look inside my closet you’d see a distinct pattern – I look best in vibrant jewel tones like pink sapphire and emerald. Take a look at your veins – if they are green like mine, colors with a little oomph (warm, jewel tones) will look best on you, whereas people with blue veins can pull off cool tones.

Look out for blues, warm reds and purplish-pinks as the main color trends for Fall 2016.

On Day 4 of NYFW I went 90’s inspired with a silk slip dress, oversized asymmetrical blazer and dark lipstick. I absolutely love this look – it makes me feel like Winona Ryder in her heyday – its edgy vibe went perfectly with the shows we’d be attending later in the day.

When it comes to NYFW I think there is a lot of pressure to go out and buy an entirely new wardrobe. Everyone is bringing out their best pieces – it bags, statement shoes and rare finds – and dress to impress is a given. Unfortunately this can be very unkind to your wallet, so I wanted to break down today’s look to show you how you can stay on trend with items already in your wardrobe.

Everything I’m wearing in today’s OOTD is something I already owned well before our trip to New York.  I picked up this silk slip dress in the clearance section at Macy’s over 10 years ago when I was on a strict budget and needed a dress for a wedding. I think it cost me $40.  Fashion is cyclical and lucky for me, slip dresses are back in full force.

Below I’ve linked some of my favorite slip dresses out right now.  Each one is less than $100.

Slip dresses are super versatile – they look great with t-shirts, sweaters or just as a stand-alone piece – but I love to pair them with blazers to really pay homage to their edgy, 90’s vibe. The key to wearing a blazer with a slip dress is that is must be oversized. (The one exception being a cropped leather jacket.) You want the proportions to match, but the textures to be in opposition.  If the dress is silk, choose a wool blazer.  Going for the crushed velvet look?  Pair it with viscose.  My vintage Yohji Yamamoto jacket is asymmetrical just like the dress.  It’s lightweight fabric plays off the heavy silk and the strong shoulders add some heft to an otherwise feminine silhouette.

Finally, let’s talk shoes. Lace-up, wrap and anything with buckles or ties is huge right now. Whether it’s a pair of flats, boots or high heeled sandals, the added feature adds beautiful complexity to an otherwise simple ensemble.  My Nick Murphy wrapped sandals were purchased on a trip to Hong Kong 10 years ago!

11:00am
Today is the first day we’re allowed to sleep in, but not by much. I savor my coffee – it’s putting me right again after last night – while getting ready for Timo Weiland.

Timo is a contemporary line that creates classic American pieces with a modern twist. Think preppy, but with an edge. If the name isn’t ringing a bell, chances are you’ve seen Timo Weiland pieces and not even known it. They did a big collaboration with Banana Republic last season, and during a week filled with ornate hand-sewn garments and highly conceptual pieces, they are one of the most accessible lines to show during NYFW.

Their presentation opens with a musical tribute to 9/11. Being in New York on September 11th is something I will always take very seriously. The way the city comes together to remember those who lost their lives, the bonds you witness between the FDNY, and the small touches people do to pay their respect evokes a deep reverence.

Timo is showing at Samsung 837, an interactive space that is super cool, but not really conducive for a fashion show. Our first glimpse of the garments is at an angled aerial view: the collection is 90’s inspired, featuring animal prints in moody colors, mixed media jackets and spaghetti strap maxi dresses. Upon closer look, I take in the details: scalloped edging on skirts and dresses and tiny ruffles on cropped bell pants.

1:00pm
After Timo I was invited to Bumble & Bumble for a consultation and cut with one of their stylists. I arrive at their uptown salon – a beautifully decorated space with modern furnishings and a spa – and wait in the library for my stylist, Lan. We discuss options and she recommends keeping my length as is, but slant cutting the ends to give my hair more movement. The end result is beautiful, works so much better with the way I like to style it in loose waves, and I leave the salon on cloud nine from such a wonderful experience.

Check out my before and after shots!

4:00pm
Our next show was a presentation for designer Angelys Balek at the High Line hotel. I’m obsessed with this venue (we attended Mara Hoffman here last season) and as soon as we walked in, I was obsessed with the collection too. Inspired by the sunsets in Phuket, Thailand, the designer featured watercolor prints, supple textures, embroidery and fluid silhouettes. I loved her blend of silk and linen pieces – the slip dress, wrap top and high waist slit pants evoked a chic easiness that I want to be wearing come spring. Her mix of ruffled accents with flowing silk is everything I want in a wardrobe – volume and texture done right. And don’t even get me started on the shoes. The whimsical pleats and ruffles in vivid colors made me swoon!

6:00pm
We head back to Soho for Berenik, a Swiss label that is known for their free flowing silhouettes and androgynous aesthetic. I take a quick peek backstage with my stylist friend Megan and already have my eye on some pleated silk pants and an oversized paneled blazer. Once the show starts, designer Veronika Brusa doesn’t disappoint. From crisp jumpsuits to silk trapeze dresses, the entire collection is light and airy with accents of dusty rose – it’s a perfect embodiment of the cloud and floral prints seen on the garments and at the base of the runway. For the finale, the models lay down, layering themselves together in what I gather is a nod to the designer’s inspiration of ‘conceptual dreamstate’.

7:15pm
Knowing we’ll never make it back to Chelsea for our 7pm runway show, we opt to stay for the after party and catch up with our New York friends. I buy a grey jacket from Berenik’s current collection and by 9:30pm we head out to indulge in some ramen, sticky buns and Sapporo at Ippudo.
Wearing the vintage blazer Megan helped me pick out and recreating our signature Berenik pose

Stay tuned for my OOTD photos from NYFW Day 4 on the blog tomorrow!

10:00am
Saturday was another early wake-up call as we headed downtown to Clarkson Square for the Dan Liu show at 10am. The designer exclusively featured dresses in a wide range of prints and colors. While I always appreciate the amount of dedication and hard work that goes into a collection, I couldn’t see a cohesive vision and the clothing just wasn’t for me. It was, however, an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow bloggers that I follow on social media, some of which I met for the first time in person.

11:30am
Coffee is in order so we head back to our hotel to grab some Bibble & Sip and shoot OOTD photos. The heat index is at a record high, so I opted for… a bathing suit. I received several comments on this “top” when I first featured it on my Instagram, but it is, in fact, a bathing suit! In this heat, trust me when I say I would have worn only the bathing suit – Leandra Medine style – had it been socially acceptable. I paired it with Re/Done Levi’s, statement shoes and sunnies, and a classic handbag.

Now is a great time to acknowledge the hard work of my husband, who takes all of the photos for In Spades. Not only is he the consummate professional, lending his keen eye to each shoot, but we often work in extreme conditions – in this case the heat – where he’s carrying heavy camera equipment or trying to wedge his way onto a massive riser full of photographers. I am forever grateful for his support, creativity and kind spirit. I could not run this blog without him and there is no one else I’d rather take this journey with.

12:30pm
Our next show isn’t until 6pm; marking the largest break we will have for the entirety of NYFW. We take advantage of the time by hightailing it to Soho for one of our New York traditions – a meal a Prince Street pizza. This place is straight up old school New York – owned by an Italian family that covers the walls with photos of celebrities that have eaten there; you order at the counter (better speak up) and eat standing up in their 250 square foot space.

Bellies full, we walk three doors down to my mecca, Ina. A treasure trove of luxury fashion (remember my floor length leather Celine coat?) I dive in and come this close to purchasing a Wes Gordon duster. What do you think – should I have gotten it?

6:00pm
We’re back at Milk Studios for simultaneous presentations from Andrea Jiapei Li and Maison the Faux.
Andrea showed geometric separates in a neutral color palette accented by hues of electric blue, coral and orange. Standouts were her her triangle handbags, cocoon jackets and voluminous tops. The clothing was eye catching and felt light for spring, which was mirrored perfectly in the game of balloon volleyball the models played during the presentation.

Maison the Faux is “a creative studio posing as a grand couture fashion house.” Highly conceptual and theatrical, this line strives to take a humorous yet affectionate look at fashion. I likened it to Lady Gaga’s work with Nicola Formichetti on her Haus of Gaga pieces. Not particularly meant for production or self-wear, they skew towards think pieces and performance art. I appreciated the clever take on the “faux” Caution Tape wrapped around the models shoes and accessories.

7:30pm
We grab takeout from our other Italian go-to, Rana NYC, and eat squid ink linguini and arugula flatbread on the floor of our hotel room.

9:00pm
Not ready to call it a night, we walk to the nearest place with live music, a dueling piano/cover band hybrid bar. Within an hour it’s packed to the gills. We are totally blown away by the talent on stage – each musician rotated to every instrument, whether it was piano, drums, guitar, saxophone or lead vocals and had the stage presence of a Broadway veteran. We sing along like fools when they play our requested song – Livin’ on a Prayer – and witness the true embodiment of New York. If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere.

OOTD image links below!