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NYFW FW19 Day 1, Part 2

Annnddd, we’re back!  Rounding out the latter half of Day 1 were two amazing shows and a behind-the-scenes look into backstage beauty.

Right after Tadashi I had just enough time to head back to my hotel for some tea and to film an Insta Story (check out my NYFW highlight reel here) before heading to Chelsea for Pamella Roland.

Pamella Roland Pamella Roland FW19 Pamella Roland FW19 Pamella Roland FW19Pamella Roland FW19

Pamella Roland images 1, 2, 3 © IMAXtree.com

I adore Pamella’s shows because her gowns are next level.  If you ever want a master class in intricate detailing – hand-beaded appliques, feather embellishments, pleated tulle – Pamella Roland is your girl.  Someday I would love to attend a resee of a collection (a showroom appointment to “re-see” the garments up close) because the countless hours that go into each piece is unparalleled.

For fall 2019, she was inspired by Tiffany glass and stained-glass windows.  The concept took shape in 3-D floral appliques, metallic threadwork and confetti beading.  Layer upon layer of luxe fabric was amped up with these techniques.  From different vantage points, the overall effect changed – sometimes glamorous, sometimes sexy – falling perfectly in line with her inspiration.  I got a luxurious Alice through the looking glass feel from this collection.  And that finale number?  Could there be more of a Cinderella moment?  Pamella Roland brought the fashion girl’s fairytale to life.

Another element of Pamella’s shows that I love is the audience.  Made up of celebrities and socialites, it’s truly a show within a show.  Last season we happened to capture Real Housewife of NY Dorinda Medley fawning over the collection in what caused quite a stir.  This season I got to see Vanessa William’s strut inside like her Ugly Betty alter ego Wilhelmina Slater, Nigel Barker emit his ever-cool British swagger and Nicky Hilton look as glam as ever (you know she’ll be buying pieces from this collection).

Could this week I like to dub ‘fashion summer camp’ be any more fun?

Backstage with Redken x Badgley Mischka

Redken x Badgley Mischka FW19 Redken x Badgley Mischka FW19 Redken x Badgley Mischka FW19 Redken x Badgley Mischka FW19Redken x Badgley Mischka FW19

Going backstage during NYFW is both a privilege and an eye-opener.  No doubt blood, sweat and tears go into creating a collection, but what about showing a collection?  Absolutely no different.  Creating the overall vibe of a show is make it or break it.

Redken & Cutler Salon were responsible for bringing the beauty magic to life at Badgley Mischka.  A sleek pompadour ponytail was the look of the night.  As multiple stylists worked their way around the model’s heads, it reminded me of an intricate dance or a music montage makeover scene from a classic movie (Pretty Woman, Clueless, anyone?).

To achieve the sleekest ponytail ever, it took two stylists – one holding the models’ hair flat, while the other pulled it tightly back – to create the look.

I chatted with model Ajak Deng backstage – she would go on to open the show – and she had just flown in from Qatar.  Before that, she had been through the Middle East and Europe.  She had no concept of what time zone she was even in, yet she looked flawless.

How is this possible?!  There is a reason she’s a model.

Badgley Mischka
Badgley Mischka FW19 Badgley Mischka FW19 Badgley Mischka FW19 Badgley Mischka FW19

Badgley Mischka runway images © IMAXtree.com

The FW19 collection took a nod from 1940s and 50s glamour – and it worked.  Iridescent paperbag waist pants, chrome effect suits and evening gowns inspired by vintage Mercedes coupes were the highlights of the night.

The Badgley Mischka woman is glamorous yet strong, and not afraid to throw a menswear detail into the mix.  In other words, my kinda girl.  While the palette stayed dark with navy velvet, black suiting and forest green eveningwear, the finale took a vibrant turn.  All 30 models descended the catwalk in cherry red cocktail dresses for the finale.  Could it have been to celebrate the designer duo’s 30 years in business?  A nod to heart month?  Whatever the reason, the collective pop of beauty was refreshing and fun.

When the show ended, reality set in.  I had eaten nothing more than a banana and a granola bar all day and it was nearly 10pm.  My girls Cathy of Bay Area Fashionista and Laura of Have Need Want and I hightailed it to the nearest sushi bar and indulged.  A fabulous end to a great first day of NYFW.

Stay tuned tomorrow for my recap of NYFW Day 2!

ICYMI: Check out my recap of NYFW Day 1, Part 1!

NYFW FW19 Day 1, Part 1

Ih Nom Uh Nit Stranger Things t-shirt Ih Nom Uh Nit Stranger Things t-shirt Ih Nom Uh Nit Stranger Things t-shirt Ih Nom Uh Nit Stranger Things t-shirtHarris Wharf London coat // Vintage track jacket (similar here) // Ih Nom Uh Nit Stranger Things t-shirt
Tibi track pants // Amelie Pichard boots (similar here) // Prada bag // Quay sunglasses
Celine alphabet necklace ($15 version here) // Love Tatum choker

Every time I touch down in NY for another fashion week I immediately play Jay-Z’s Empire State of Mind.  Like my months of window shopping, incessant overpacking, and stay-up-late marathon sessions preparing for the trip, it’s tradition.

This ain’t my first rodeo.  But the giddy childlike excitement never dies.

This NYFW would prove to be very different.  For one, I covered the shows without my partner in crime (he stayed home with baby) and for another, it’d be the shortest time I’d ever spend at fashion week.  Normally, we attend five full days, but this trip would be three.  Gotta get home to baby!

After arriving late into the city and catching up with two very dear friends, I checked into my hotel near midnight.  You know how every hotel has one room that is positively dismal?  Well, I got that room.  Cramped, smelly, loud – I got maybe three hours of sleep.  Not a great start, but NYFW isn’t for the faint of heart.  Suck it up buttercup!

First on the agenda was a photoshoot to capture my OOTD’s.  Normally the hubby and I photograph these in real time, day by day, but due to my shortened trip, I knocked them all out at once.

Over Christmas my sister and I found a treasure trove of vintage pieces in my dad’s closet.  I’m talking Le Coq Sportif tracksuits from the 80s, perfectly lived in Levi’s and lots of glorious neon.  Of course I knew something would have to make it into my NYFW routine, and his red Andre Agassi track jacket did the trick.

If you follow me on Instagram, you may remember this being the impetus for my version of athleisure.  When I stumbled upon these Quay glasses, the look started to take shape.  Part mad scientist, part lady of leisure, I mixed comfortable and over-the-top in what reminded me of something Frank Costanza would wear.

Crazy?  Yes.  But that’s what I love about fashion.

By the time I finished shooting, my hotel room looked like it had been hit by a tornado.  And since I asked to switch rooms, I had to repack!  For anyone who hates packing as much as me, you can only imagine how painful this was.

Packed and checked into my new room, I hit the ground running to Collina Strada.

Collina Strada

Collina Strada FW19Collina Strada FW19Collina Strada FW19Collina Strada FW19 Collina Strada FW19Collina Strada images 1, 2, 3 © IMAXtree.com

If you’ve followed my previous NYFW recaps, you know that Collina Strada is a brand known for extremely symbolic collections.  Each runway always incorporates some type of performance art (there was a wedding and then a sound bath in previous seasons).  For fall 2019, a spoken word piece and rap were performed by artist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez.

F/W19’s show was dubbed Low Carbon Diet and focused on reducing our footprint – more sustainable living that is kinder to the environment.

Designer Hillary Taymour used hand painted and tie-dyed fabrics made of 75% deadstock material and recycled plastic ocean beads to create the collection.  As the models descended the runway, they drank out of reusable water bottles, ate from recycled food containers and in the finale, took a centerpiece from the runway: flowers encased in repurposed bottles.

The Clothes
Layering and texture mixing is a Collina signature.  I adored the oversized tie-dyed hoodies (so 90’s), easy burnout velvet and vibrant daisy lace pieces.  It was statement-making yet comfortable – a balance Collina Strada is excellent at striking.

When a model appeared with her baby in tow in matching sunshine lace my heart soared.  A reminder of my baby back home, plus an infusion of my passion right before my eyes?  Fashion week couldn’t have started any better.

As I left Collina, street style photographers snapped my look.  I was flattered to find out Style Caster and AOL Fashion published the look on a best-dressed list.  Check it out!

I had about a nanosecond to make my way to Tadashi Shoji, which started in less than 20min.

Tadashi Shoji

Tadashi Shoji FW19 Tadashi Shoji FW19 Tadashi Shoji FW19Tadashi Shoji FW19Tadashi Shoji images 1, 2, 3 courtesy of Linda Gaunt Communications; Image 4 © IMAXtree.com

Inspired by his travels through Southeast Asia, Tadashi didn’t hold back for F/W19.  While you always expect extreme glamour and elegance from Tadashi, I was pleased to see a bit of edginess incorporated into his fall 2019 collection.

Demure lace was cut off-the-shoulder and paired with tiers of burnt ombre tulle.  His signature draping took a nod from Buddhist monks.  Voluminous and flowing then nipped in all the right places, the models floated down the runway.  From subtle sultriness to va-va-voom sexiness, sequins gowns closed out the show.  I loved how he exercised a trained mastery of restraint.  Sky high slits were paired with mandarin necklines; shoulder-baring pieces remained oversized instead of fitted for a heightened air of mystery.

Another major win at Tadashi?  Diverse model casting.  Every shape and size descended the runway, showing how sexy and elegant his designs are on every woman.

NYFW Day 1 only accelerated from here.  I had so much going on the first day I’ll continue on with my Day 1 recap tomorrow.  Stay tuned for more chaotic creativity!

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OOTD photos by Andrea Ceraso Photography