In Spades

Friday
7:00am
7:00am is quite the rude awakening. I manage to rouse myself out of bed and stumble to our go-to coffee shop Bibble & Sip. We have a big day ahead of us – five shows – so I need all the help I can get.

9:00am
We arrive backstage at Club Monaco courtesy of Bumble & Bumble. The team is set up in a ballroom at the Grand Hyatt and it’s the most zen backstage environment I’ve ever experienced – spacious and relaxed. B&B’s Director of PR walks me through the vision for today – loose waves that have been lived in and evoke a sense of ease. Later in the week I’ll be meeting with B&B for my own hair consultation, so I take note of the cool girl ease.

I love being in the company of the models (yes, I’m staring) and seriously want to steal this model’s jacket (she later makes NY Magazine’s Best Dressed list).

11:00am
Club Monaco makes their first ever appearance at New York Fashion Week! Descending the platforms at Grand Central Terminal, male and female models showcase a see-now, buy-now collection. This concept has caused quite a stir in the fashion industry (read Cathy Horyn’s fantastic article here) as it’s de rigueur to present a collection for the upcoming season (i.e. 6 months away). Rather than spring/summer attire, we are treated to bell sleeved sweaters, metallic pleated maxi skirts and voluminous wool outerwear that can be purchased immediately.

12:00pm
After wrapping our show coverage we head across the street to take some OOTD photos. I’m wearing an insane ruffled top and white pants that quickly becomes my favorite outfit of all time.

4:00pm
Perplexed by how we’re going to make it to all of our evening shows on time, we map it out. It doesn’t look good.

5:00pm
We arrive at Milk Studios for Chromat and I’m swarmed by street style photographers (I credit my ruffled top).

The show, entitled Hyperwave, opens with an interpretive dance performance by Mela Murder. Chromat is a very innovative brand known for their structural pieces. For S/S17 they showed swimwear and athleticwear in bold oranges, reds and blues. Many of their pieces were created by use of a 3D printer and their ultimate goal is to create accessible well-made fashion for all body sizes and types. In a week filled with mostly sample sizes, I am high fiving the design team for bringing high-level fashion to all.

6:15pm
Knowing we’ll never make it downtown in time, we opt to skip our 7pm and head uptown for Tadashi Shoji.

8:00pm
Tadashi’s show opens with an illustrated film depicting Noah’s Ark. Inspired by all forms of life and the vision of rebirth, he opens with a soft palette of delicate lace and transitions to animal prints in bold hues.

Tadashi is a master of feminine elegance. You will never see androgynous designs or geometric silhouettes from him – his clothes sashay and float. Movement is a key design component at the house of Shoji and S/S17 was no exception.

Tadashi takes his final bow in pink pants – a trademark move he replicates every season (his F/W16 pants were electric pink!).

9:15pm
It’s pouring rain and we still have to catch a cab downtown for Demoo Parkchoonmoo. My heart is racing because I know the chances of making it are slim. Sure enough, we arrive at the final venue after the doors have already closed. This time my puppy dog eyes are lost on Security, but by the grace of a very persistent showgoer, we are let inside.

Parkchoonmoo is one of my perennial favorites so I’m extactic. Inspired by “airiness” the designer shows gauze bonded coats, long silk dresses and short jackets in her signature monochromatic color palette. An influence of applied art inspires patchwork denim, something I have never seen from the designer in the 5 seasons I’ve been attending her shows.

We weren’t able to capture any photos, but here is a video of the final walk at Demoo Parkchoonmoo.

After such a long day, we head home with tired feet and happy hearts.

Exactly one week ago my NYFW adventure began. Spring/Summer 17 marked our fifth season covering the inspiring, chaotic and creative adventure I like to call, “my drug”.

Below is a play-by-play of what I actually do during my time in New York. If you enjoy this format, let me know in the comments below!

Thursday
6:00am
Our flight leaves at the crack of dawn so I don’t wear any makeup and my hair resembles Edward Scissorhands’. I happen to be sitting behind a lead stylist from Nordstrom who I overhear talking about the shows she’ll be attending (hint, they are huge). We exchange cards and she graciously compliments me on my outfit even though I look like death warmed up.

Due to some bad weather our flight has to be rerouted, adding 1.5 extra hours of flying time. We have a show immediately after landing, so my internal panic begins to set in.

4:00pm
Our flight finally lands and the airline manages not to lose my luggage like last season. Score!

5:30pm
We check into our hotel and I have just enough time to spend 2 minutes on my makeup, throw my hair in a ponytail and reach for the shoes sitting at the top of my luggage (thankfully they are heels). No time to change clothes.

6:30pm
We arrive at Pier 59 for the Fashion Palette Australian Ready-to-Wear lineup and the show has already started. I give security puppy dog eyes and they unlock the doors to let us in.

Here’s a video of our frenzied trip to the venue!

Stephanie Chehade finale

Six Aussie designers present their collections in succession. My favorite is Cristahlea who showed ladylike dresses in crushed velvet and florals, accented with ruffles and crystal adornments. I liken the collection to Ulla Johnson’s femininity (with a more fitted silhouette) and Valentino’s eye for embellished detail.

Homebodii sleepwear finale

Once all six designers have presented, it becomes abundantly clear the level of talent coming out of Australia is fierce and the rise of these young labels is eminent. Expect to see brand trajectories on the level of fellow countrymen and women Ellery and Dion Lee. You heard it here first!

Babies and bunnies on the runway at Milanja.  Look out for yellow as an emerging color for spring!

7:30pm
After the show I’m flying high on fashion adrenaline and desperately need an outlet. What better way to expel my energy than with a little shopping?

I’ve long been a fan of indie line The Arrivals and they are hosting an open house at their NYC headquarters. We hightail it to Union Square and I’m treated to a private appointment featuring their new lineup. After much deliberation, I choose a leather jacket for me and a down bomber for my husband. Just call me Cher Horowitz.

The ladies on The Arrivals team are amazing (they have a giant T-Rex hanging above their desks, which is proof of their amazingness alone) and recommend Coffee Shop Bar for us to grab some food and a drink.

9:00pm
The ability to stop for a meal during fashion week is few and far between, so we each finish our dinner (avocado toast and seafood capellini) in about 3 minutes flat. My cold glass of rose is the perfect end to a frenetic day. We laugh at the fact that every year we seem to cut things to the very last minute and reflect on the full day we have on Friday, starting with a backstage look at Club Monaco.

Until tomorrow!