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And thus, we’ve come to the bittersweet ending my friends.

Almost 5 years ago we booked a trip to NY two weeks before fashion week.  We had zero connections, no plan or strategy and probably 200 Instagram followers.

But I knew we had to be there.  That I’d find a community that shared the same profound love for something I take very seriously.

In the time since, we’ve made lifelong friends, met up-and-coming and established designers, had our work appear in Nylon, InStyle, Pop Sugar and reposted by Net-a-Porter plus countless designers, witnessed the final collections of legendary American masters like Betsey Johnson and Donna Karan, and seen NYFW go from an editors only elite club, to the heavily saturated influencer audience it includes today.

I’m eternally grateful for being able to say I’m a very small cog in this wheel of beautiful, chaotic creativity.  Especially since I get to do it with my forever partner in crime.

Not a bad dream come true for two scrappy kids from San Diego.

Each season NYFW gets better and better.  F/W18 ended on the highest note yet.

Bevza

Our final day of NYFW had the most varied designer lineup.  I loved the diversity.

First up was Bevza, a Ukrainian line that excels in minimalism.  Razor clean silhouettes, soft color palettes and clothing that is both structured, yet appears to float on air give the brand an almost aristocratic feel.

Continuing with the theme of the week, Bevza showed a F/W collection that could have easily applied to spring as well.  From mint to ivory to deep navy, the collection featured puffer coats in animal prints giving the illusion of exotic skins without the ethical conundrum.

Dresses and separates were created in the highest quality silk.  Slinking down the runway with nipped waistlines and accented with belt bags, they looked incredibly comfortable and regal.

I adored the oversized blazers with strong shoulders and form fitting dresses with corseted bust lines and bodysuit etching.  Understated yet sexy.

Backstage with CND for Libertine

From pristine minimalist to the height of maximalism we went.

Prior to the start of the Libertine show, we went backstage with CND to check out the nail art.

Fun fact: two years ago my husband sat next to CND Co-Founder Jan Nordstrom Arnold on a plane.  They struck up a conversation about the work that goes into making fashion and beauty all look effortless.  We’ve followed CND’s next-level fashion week creations ever since.

Libertine head designer Johnson Hartig dives deep into every aspect of the NYFW creative process.  He insists Jan wear the entire collection before it walks the runway to better create her artistic vision for the models’ nails.  Not just an accessory to the clothes, the nails take on part of the message.

For F/W18 it was about tender love and cozy rebellion.  4000 feet of silk fringe flown in from South Africa was hand dyed, comprising 400 hours of craftsmanship.

Fringe dripped out of pockets and dragged on the floor creating texture that was so visually alluring you wanted to reach out and touch it.  Matte textures were created with boomerang nail files and powder that looked like sugar coating.

It was all insanely amazing.

Libertine

Libertine’s F/W18 show can be described in one word.  P-A-R-T-Y.

If the closing walk is any indication, this show was FUN.

It’s not too often the husband and I have to split up during NYFW, but this was one instance where it happened and boy was I bummed.  If only I could have been in two places at once!

What I love about Libertine is the way it’s equally whimsical and edgy.  From bold colors and bejeweled watch appliqués to studded skulls over black wool, the collection made you take serious notice but with a smirk.

The fringe detail on jackets and dresses flowed seamlessly with the nail art.  I adored the lace and sequins pieces, especially the Cher jacket that said “Do You Believe” on the front.

When the models danced down the runway for the finale, everyone in the audience was dancing along in their seats.  Libertine F/W18 was an ornate display of fabulosity.

Veronica Beard

While the husband danced along with Libertine, I headed over to Veronica Beard.

I first attended her show in September, and it was that collection that inspired my velvet headband from Day 1 of NYFW F/W18.  From the tropical S/S18 vibes of 1970s Aculpoco to 1980s Dallas we went.

Dubbed “Denim & Diamonds” Beard explored a time when style was dominated by socialites and cowboys.  Iridescent fabric was found on leisure suits and cocktail dresses for the socialite crowd, while lace-up flares, crisp denim separates and suede prairie dresses represented the cowboy set.

It was the little details that made the collection for me.  Plaid neckties, diamond encrusted belts, fur sleeves and leather trimmed lapels all added a level of design that was exciting and fun.

That’s a wrap.  Until September 2018 my friends!

ICYMI: here is my coverage of NYFW F/W18 Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 and Day 4.

Bevza and Libertine photos by Matthew Passiglia