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NYFW SS20 Day 1 Shows

Day 1 of NYFW SS20 started bright and early!

My first order of the day was backstage at Self-Portrait with Bumble & Bumble.

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Bumble and bumble master stylist Jimmy Paul (who is responsible for several of Self-Portrait’s past runway looks) was leading the hair vision.  Inspired by the singer Sade, Paul prepped the models’ hair with Hairdressers Invisible Oil (which makes hair feather soft – it’s amazing!) before pulling it back into a single tight braid. For the girls with short hair, he slicked it back with a handful of Bb gel (it will never flake) for a sleek look.  The result was super glam and fit the it-girl vibe of the collection to a “T”.

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The Self-Portrait audience is always just as fun as the Self-Portrait runway.  A who’s who of fashion bloggers and the fashion elite, Mr. Self-Portrait knows how to bring the crowd.

For spring he focused on cotton poplin separates.  Some had bustier-style tops, others had eye-catching wide collars.  A soft palette of khaki and white turned into lilac and sky blue.  There was even a pop of tangerine, which I absolutely adored.  London-based milliner Noel Stewart was responsible for the all-weather oversized hats, which I thought was a brilliant pairing (especially for the beachside looks).

The show ended with Self-Portrait’s signature lace in the most stunning orchid maxi dress.  The teardrop lace pattern was topped with a massive bow, making it girly but also oh-so-glam.

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For ADEAM, Laurent Philippon (who I would go on to see multiple times backstage at fashion week) dreamt up a girl who wants her hair to have life in it.  This translated to a classic s-wave style achieved through Bumble and bumble thickening spray (a must to start any great hairstyle) and finished with their sumo spray.

ADEAM
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As a first-timer to ADEAM, my standard fashion week-level excitement was definitely brought up a notch.  Designed by Hanako Maeda (ADEAM is her surname spelled backward), the brand epitomizes east meets west style.  In this case, east is Tokyo and west is New York.  Talk about my style dreams come true.

The port city of Yokohama was the inspiration for the collection. The relaxed vibe of a seaside town was definitely noted in her garments thanks to the nautical stripes and oversized knits.  I loved how the sweaters buttoned at the elbows and could be worn done or undone for a different kind of look.

Just when I thought the collection would stay casual in knit layers and seersucker ruffles, it transformed into a parade of ethereal gowns.  Embellished with pearls, crystals and the most delicate tulle, the models resembled mythical sea creatures.  It was enchanting and so glamorous.  ADEAM was one of my favorite collections of NYFW SS20.

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To my surprise, my next show was only a 5min walk from ADEAM.  Walking is something I rarely do during NYFW (it’s more like frantically running from show to taxi to show) so this was actually a nice reprieve.

Rebecca Minkoff held her SS20 presentation at Chelsea Piers and boy, was it popular!  The presentation space was so packed it was literally shoulder-to-shoulder.  As someone who’s not a fan of tight quarters, I made my way quickly through the space, but thoroughly enjoyed the eye candy along the way.  In bold pops of fuchsia, cobalt, crimson and baby pink, Minkoff’s fabulous separates were accented in faux fur, feathers and metallic pops.

Her accessories were on point – I loved the lacquered look of her patent handbags with coated chain straps.  The footwear sparkled.  The whole vibe was maximalism at its best.

After running all morning with no food, I was glad to have a break for a couple hours.  My friend Lee from LegalLee Blonde and I headed over to the Mejuri pop-up and did something I haven’t done since I was 13 years old.

We got our ears pierced!

NYFW SS20 Mejuri Event

I’ve been wanting to re-pierce the third earring in my left ear since it closed years ago and now was the time.  I was surprisingly very nervous!  I told Brandon, who would be doing the honors, that if I can make it through childbirth, I could make it through this.  Jokes aside, it didn’t hurt at all!  New ear candy!

BevzaBevza SS20

My last show of the day was the Ukranian brand, Bevza.  I’ve attended her shows in the past and love that the brand is getting more and more exposure in the US.  You can find the entire SS20 collection on pre-order at Moda Operandi.

The brand is known for 90’s minimalism, and that signature style rang true for SS20.  In a palette of white and black offset by wheat and sage green, Bevza showed silk dresses and woven knit separates.  I loved the fan clutch bags (yes to the return of oversized handbags!) and the midriff cutouts on dresses and sweaters amped up the collection with a sexy twist.

Although Bevza is a luxury brand, they offer fabulous price points.  Check out this silk column dress (total spring staple) and this green fan clutch, which are both under $500.

After a marathon day, a marathon evening began.

First up was drinks at The Soho Grand, followed by a yummy Creole-inspired dinner a cute spot in Soho.  By the end of the night, I felt like I had lived a thousand lives in the time span of one day.  But happily.  Completely worth it.

Stay tuned for my NYFW SS20 Day 2 recap tomorrow!

NYFW FW19 Day 3

Jacquemus coat & No 21 Motel SkirtJacquemus coat & No 21 Motel Skirt Jacquemus coat & No 21 Motel SkirtJacquemus coat // Sandro sweater // No. 21 skirt // Prada bag // Balenciaga boots

When I become a mother, everyone told me “the days are long but the years are short”.  The same can be said about NYFW.  SO much was packed into each day it felt like I was living in a 48 hour/day universe.  Just like that – finger snap – my week was already up.

Backstage with Bumble & Bumble x Self-Portrait Bumble & Bumble for Self-Portrait FW19Bumble & Bumble for Self-Portrait FW19 Bumble & Bumble for Self-Portrait FW19

Photo 3 courtesy of Bumble & Bumble

My last day started with an early backstage visit to Self-Portrait.  Bumble & Bumble master stylist Jimmy Paul was responsible for the hair, and the vision was “Something womanly and sophisticated – grown up, but with a little humor.”  This played out in a tightly braided bun, save for one detail.  The end of the braid was left peeking out like a fishtail.  The result?  Cool girl, laissez-faire styling.  A Self-Portrait signature.

I’ve had the pleasure of going backstage with Self-Portrait before, and the vibe is always super zen.  This allowed me to meet some fabulous influencers and industry peers from oversees and chat with the models (who were completely flawless).

When it was time for the show to start, I enjoyed watching my favorite bloggers file into the front row.  Susie Bubble, Vanessa Hong and Aimee Song (fresh off a plane from Australia) filed in.  It was this very show two years earlier when I got to meet Aimee (no surprise, she’s just as amazing in person).  These full circle moments are what I live for.  Reflecting on where I was, how far I’ve come, and everything I’ve learned along the way fills me with joy.

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Images 2, 3 © IMAXtree.com; Image 4 courtesy of Bumble & Bumble

The signature lace we’re used to seeing from Self-Portrait was completely reimagined for FW19.  Rather than heavy texture adorning an entire look, transparent mesh made an appearance on sleeves, hemlines and bodices.  Flirty silhouettes were upgraded to angular tailoring.  Blazers featured nipped waistlines, jumpsuits and shorts were pleated and polished.  Finally, voluminous shoulders were the name of the game.  It was a polished collection, showcasing the most formality I’ve seen from Self-Portrait.  Even the color palette was striking – black or white to open, with the closing looks featuring vibrant canary, cobalt and orange.

My favorites were the yellow velvet pieces paired with metallic stripes.  Texture mixing at its finest with a feminine bend.  The blue and orange gingham felt contemporary and bohemian in the same vein, and I’m here for it.

After the show, I had just enough time to eat.  Such a rarity during NYFW.  While walking across the street to my fave brunch spot, The Roxy, I was nearly blown over like a tumbleweed.  The wind on Day 3 was NO JOKE.

An appearance by a member of the First Family canceled my next backstage appointment.  What’s a girl to do with a couple hours to kill in Soho?  Go shopping, of course!  While I didn’t buy anything, I got to try on these jeans and this handbag in person.  Don’t be surprised if you see both in my wardrobe soon.

Elle NYFW LoungeElle NYFW Lounge FW19Elle NYFW Lounge FW19

Next up was a visit to the Elle Magazine Lounge.  These events are godsends during fashion week because they give you a chance to network, meet up with friends and just unwind for a minute.  Located in an amazing apartment on Fifth Avenue, they had everything from yummy food and drinks, manicures, hair appointments and consults with Allergan and European Wax Center.

I attended with my friends Laura and Tiffany (check out her NYFW recap) and we had fun taking pics in the fabulous ambiance.

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As a self-proclaimed denim addict, I always look forward to R13.  Their edgy, high-quality denim is the stuff of dreams and for FW19 designer Chris Leba went 90s grunge.  But it wasn’t just a Nirvana-esque vibe.  Accompanying the band tees, combat boots and plaid, were intricate baubles resting atop reworked lace and dainty florals.  It was grandma grunge.

I’ve not seen such vintage era work out of R13 and I loved it.  Under Leba’s trained eye, the result was equal parts bohemian and edgy.  A marriage of old world and contemporary.  Few designers can strike this balance, and the genius was in the fine handiwork.

Kaia Gerber closed the show and it was so rad to see a 2000’s era incarnate of Cindy Crawford.

Following the show, I headed uptown with my NY ride or dies for food and wine.  The 4 hours of sleep I’d get before boarding my flight was worth it.

Another fabulous NYFW for the books.

ICYMI: Check out my recaps of NYFW FW19 Day 1 and Day 2.

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OOTD photos by Andrea Ceraso Photography

NYFW Prep with Bumble & Bumble

I can’t believe another season is upon us – NYFW is less than 24 hours away!  Although I still have outfits to finalize and packing to do, one aspect of my prepping routine has thankfully been underway for the past couple of weeks.  When it comes to health and beauty, I make sure to stick to a great exercise routine (gotta build stamina for those long days in heels!), get a facial so my skin is in order, and focus on getting my hair healthy for the week plus of constant heat styling its going to endure.

I’m a longtime fan of Bumble & Bumble products and when they debuted two new treatments in August, I knew the timing for my NYFW prep was perfect.  Aimed at “over stylers” like myself, their two new products include a protective repair fluid that can be used daily, and an overnight damage repair masque for more intense repair.

While You Sleep Overnight Damage Repair Masque
Two weeks ago I applied this masque to really kickstart my “get hair healthy” campaign.  The crazy part?  You apply it on dry hair.  I’ve never done that with a masque before so this simple difference immediately intrigued me.  After leaving it on overnight, wash out in the morning.

Pros:
– Smells amazing
– Instantly transformed my hair into that “I just got a haircut” feeling
– Split ends seemed to disappear
– Left my hair petal soft while still maintaining volume and fullness
– Doesn’t leave hair limp and lifeless like most repairing masques
– Works on any type of hair (straight, curly, coarse, over processed, color treated)

Cons:
– There are honestly zero cons to this product.  Check out the reviews on Sephora if you don’t believe me!

Save the Day Daytime Repair Fluid
Once the heavy lifting was done, I started using this after each shampoo/condition.  Its milky substance smells just as amazing as the masque and gets applied on the ends of hair to strengthen and repair past damage.

Pros:
– Lightweight formula that won’t weigh down hair
– Instantly revives frizzy/frayed ends by sealing the follicle
– Contains heat/UV protection perfect for heat styling and time spent outdoors

Cons:
– Again, I have nothing bad to say about this product!  The only thing I can think of is to emphasize that this isn’t a detangler but rather a protective serum.  So for those looking to detangle wet hair after shampooing, this will definitely help, but it’s not its primary function.

Beyond getting my hair healthy for NYFW, I also have an arsenal of products I rely on to keep my hair looking its best during the shows.  Since my hair is naturally very fine, I gravitate towards products that give me some oomph and volume.  Bumble & Bumble’s Surf line is my go-to for giving my hair exactly what it doesn’t have naturally – volume and texture.

The key to great hair is in the preparation.  Here is the list of products I’ll be packing in my suitcase for NYFW worthy hair.

Surf Shampoo and Conditioner
Straight out of the gate I get a little lift and soft texture which is sorely needed for the wavy style I want to achieve.

Before blow drying, I use their Surf Foam Spray to seal in texture.  It’s a great base for my curling wand to be able to “grip” my hair and really does wonders for holding the curl.  If you struggle with your hair falling flat 20min after styling like I do, this is the product for you.

After I’ve curled my hair I let it completely cool and then spray Dryspun Finish to seal the look.  What I love about this product is that you literally can’t overuse it.  No matter how much you spray, it won’t weigh your hair down.  It simply gives it a soft fullness.  Bonus points for how good it works on day old (or two) hair.  Need a little zhoosh?  Spray this on your roots and you’re good to go!  During NYFW there are definitely mornings where I simply don’t have the energy to touch my hair, so this product is a godsend.  I actually carry it in my bag – shhh.

Finally, Bumble & Bumble’s Pre-a-powder is what I need when I want to pull out the big guns of volume.  Shake it onto your roots and massage into your scalp for a gritty texture that leaves hair pliable and voluminous.  It works especially well when it’s humid outside and every other product seems to fall flat (literally).

Tomorrow we head out for the Big Apple and 7 days of crazy, chaotic inspiration.  Be sure to follow along on Instagram for behind the scenes footage, runway coverage and of course, some amazing street style.  See you in NY!

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NYFW F/W17 Day 3

Day 2 was a monster of a day, and Day 3 will be no different.  I wake up super early to get ready for our first presentation, Paul Andrew, and am so thankful the gift bag at Nicholas K included revitalizing eye masks.  I want to put all 8 of them on thinking that may be more effective, but I refrain.

I’ve talked at length about coats that the capture my heart in a way that makes me think the designer tapped into my brainwaves to create the stuff of dreams.  Today’s look is the physical manifestation of this dream.  I originally spied it 6 months ago, immediately put it on pre-order, and waited with baited breath until it arrived on my doorstep.  To say I needed to take a moment when I first unwrapped it is an understatement.  If one can be in love with a coat, then I am.  Whole-heartedly.  It is, of course, Jacquemus.

 

Paul Andrew
If you’re a shoe lover, chances are you’ve heard of Paul Andrew.  Carried at Shopbop and Barneys, he creates gorgeous footwear that is both innovative and luxurious.  Each shoe has a memory foam padded sole and is designed with aerodynamic precision to achieve optimal fit and function.  Talk about nerd shoe porn.  For F/W17 he plays with sculptural metallic heels and supple suede.  Standouts are his classic black booties with golden spherical heel and the teal laser-cut velcro beauties below.

Amour Vert x Twiirly
My early wake-up call left no time for food or coffee, so I was thrilled that my next appointment was a blogger brunch with Amour Vert and Twiirly.  From the minute I walked into While We Were Young, I was smitten with their plush pink furniture, neon sign and beautiful, feminine decor.  I had the pleasure of meeting some amazing bloggers while enjoying avocado toast (what else?!) and French press coffee.

Amour Vert founded their clothing company with a mission to get back to sustainable, eco-friendly fashion. Everything they make follows a strict non-toxic, zero-waste philosophy and it’s super cute and affordable to boot.

Twiirly is a start-up out of SF that connect bloggers to people who want to book stylist sessions with them. Their founders are the type of boss ladies making huge strides in the tech world and I’m super excited to start working with them.

Photos courtesy of Katelyn Rose Photography

Jill Stuart
After brunch I hightail it back to Clarkson Square for Jill Stuart, only to realize that the show is happening somewhere else! Trying not to panic, I throw myself in an Uber and arrive at the presentation just in time to see the models walk.  The crowd is thick and trying to squeeze in for a photo is tough, but I manage to capture my favorite looks – masculine style blazers paired with color blocked midi-skirts – and make a mental note to experiment more with color blocking and long proportions.

Yuna Yang
Yuna Yang is the first show we attended exactly 1 year ago when Delta lost my luggage.  I showed up wearing my airplane clothes and a face full of drugstore makeup that didn’t match my skin at all, but hey, what can you do!  This time I was happy not to repeat the experience.  Shown in a jazz club with a live performance, she featured a gorgeous purple teddy bear coat (noticing a theme?) and an olive green trench made out of the most supple leather.

Photos courtesy of Yuna Yang

Self-Portrait Backstage with Bumble & Bumble
Back to backstage we go!  I’ll be recapping our experience with Bumble & Bumble and Self-Portrait next week, but let’s just say the vibe was sexy Londoner tailored to each individual girl’s hair.

Self-Portrait
Held at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music, Self-Portrait debuted their first runway show at NYFW.  In season’s past, they’ve held presentations, so witnessing their first runway was a treat.  Straight out of the gate, I was swooning.  The show opened with ruffled sleeves and hem lines in a muted palette of tweed, velvet and silk.  Mid-way through it transitioned to dusty blue and cobalt dresses with peek-a-boo sleeves and cutouts and the insane trench dress pictured below.  For the finale, the looks warmed up to burnt orange and vivid pink one-pieces with cinched waistlines and ruching.

Not only was the locale and collection impressive, but the audience was a Who’s Who of the fashion blogging world.  Sitting in front of me were every single one of the heavy hitters I aspire to be.  After the show I really had to pee – hello second latte – and took the elevator up a floor to the ladies room.  Riding in the elevator with me was Aimee Song.  I normally shy away from talking to celebrities – I feel like a bother – but I took the opportunity to tell her I loved her book, Capture Your Style, and learned a lot from it.  She was the kindest, most genuine person EVER.  Her authenticity honestly blew me away.  Unlike a meet and greet where you get to talk to someone for 30 seconds, we got to talk for about 10minutes in this random, surreal old-friends-gabbing-in-the-ladies-room experience that I will never forget.

Georgine
If I had endless disposable income, I’d spend it all on Georgine.  Her show is one of my most anticipated every season, and she had me from the first look.  Two weeks later and I’m still singing the soundtrack from her show and re-living the first moment I laid eyes on each insane piece.  They just kept coming and coming.  I sat next to two of my NY friends, Megan and Sami, and we all nodded in approval as the show opened with studded leather jackets and red velvet pants.  A master of mixed media, Georgine fused sequins with sheer netting, lace and fur trimmed dusters.  It was 90’s inspired like her Spring 2017 collection, and showed us just how versatile of a designer she is.  Each piece was interchangeable, creating a beautiful cohesive look.

Francesca Liberatore
We ended the night with colorful prints and a blend of textures by Francesca Liberatore.  With a seat right near the entrance, I had a ball capturing her flowing, side slit skirts in slo-motion.  Paired with oversized sweaters and flat ankle boots, it was a fresh take on an incredibly wearable look.  Several of her pieces featured hand-embroidered details, sheer fabrics – loving that unexpected element for fall – and cozy knits.

Photos by Matthew Passiglia

NYFW F/W17 Day 2

On Day 2 of NYFW the snow let up, but we were left with slushy, salty sidewalks. In other words, it was not a good day to wear your best shoes!

I opted for silver brogues and a Jacquemus coat that I’d been saving specifically for NYFW. Jacquemus is a young, French designer I’ve been obsessed with since he first came on the scene a couple of seasons ago. Known for creating structural pieces and pushing the boundaries of size and silhouette, I’ve had to hold myself back from buying up his entire collection. It’s the perfect blend of off-kilter whimsy that tugs at my little sartorial heart. Paired with my throwback Anya Hindmarch Space Invaders bag and Pac Man ghost tassel, it was a win-win for comfort and street style bait.

Oday Shakar
Our first show was Oday Shakar’s F/W17 collection entitled “Transcend”. The show opened with a series of black, hand-beaded evening looks before transitioning to deep reds, blues, greens and then finally emerging in soft winter whites. It was a literal and symbolic representation of surviving through the darkness and emerging in light. My favorite looks were a shimmering twisted seam coat with matching flare leg pants, and his brilliant flowing silhouettes – seen in a ruby cape with satin slip dress, and midnight caftan with ring details.

Lanyu
Chinese luxury designer Lanyu opened with crocheted bathing suits underneath wool coats in a range of mint, sky blue and pink.  The collection felt very spring-like until the mid-point when lace dresses, oversized blazers and tweed wrap dresses in jade and burnt orange made an appearance.

Photo by Bay Area Fashionista

Hakan Akkaya
The first thing that came to mind when I saw Hakan Akkaya’s collection was The Matrix. His all black line-up of menswear and womenswear had an edgy and futuristic vibe that featured metallic details, zippered seams and ruffled embellishments. Accessorized with leather baseball caps, oversized briefcases and garment bags, his collection felt young and on the verge.

Concept Korea
One of my favorite shows each season, Concept Korea takes three of the country’s best designers and brings them to NYFW to show as one concept. Fall/Winter 2017 featured designers Greedilous, Kimmy J and Yohanix. If there’s one thing Korean’s know about fashion, it’s how to push the envelope with multiple colors and patterns. Each designer featured a rainbow palette in a myriad of fabrics and prints. I was blown away with how cohesive and polished each collection was despite a dizzying amount of details. Take for example, this stunning burgundy, black and white fur coat layered over a netted skirt with hand-embroidered details and grounded in a silk army green trench coat. Brilliant!

RtA
Contemporary line RtA (road to awe) is best known for their denim and showed a great presentation of oversized fur jackets, leather separates and high quality knitwear in addition to their bread and butter. I love this oxblood leather dress accessorized with a pinstriped boyfriend blazer.

Photo by Bay Area Fashionista

Chromat
Each season Chromat pushes the envelope in the realm of swimwear.  The show opened with a musical performance (complete with back-up dancers!) before models of all shapes and sizes strutted down the runway in bold red, green and blue (noticing a theme?) two-pieces.  Many looks were accessorized with inflatable puffer jackets meant to be worn poolside and all featured long, gold chains hanging out of the models’ mouths.  My seat mate was an adorable Chihuahua mix puppy, whose owner was a well known journalist and long-time friend of the brand.  After listening to his many stories about working with the Chromat team, it became even clearer how tight knit of a community this dynamic brand represents.

Backstage with Bumble & Bumble
Next up was a backstage visit at Club Monaco with Bumble & Bumble.  Artistic Director Laurent Philippon – pictured below – walked me through his vision for the day.  Stay tuned for a full look into Club Monaco’s backstage coverage next week!

Club Monaco
Our last show of NYFW Day 2 set quite the bar.  After being treated to an in-depth behind the scenes look backstage, we walked into the show space, which was held at Club Monaco’s flagship on 5th Avenue.  The entire store had been transformed into an indoor garden of lilac, lavender and rose.  It smelled as heavenly as it looked – I truly felt transported into a secret garden.  In the middle of the room was a gigantic table adorned with silver place settings, trays and goblets filled to the brim with sweet and savory treats.  A build-your-own-bouquet bar was located off to the side, as models walked the length of the store and then positioned themselves on stage for us to take a closer look at the clothes.

Drew Barrymore, Jeremy Piven, Blair Eadie, Nick Wooster and the infallible Grace Coddington were in attendance.  I absolutely followed Grace Coddington like a total creeper so I could snap a picture of greatness in the flesh.

February 2017 marked the second time Club Monaco showed at NYFW.  We were lucky to attend their first ever presentation in September, so seeing it’s follow-up was quite a treat.  Club Monaco followed the see-now, buy-now model, showing Spring/Summer 2017 clothing available for immediate purchase.  I loved their take on vibrant florals, ruffled sleeves and a reinterpretation of the classic trench.  You can shop the collection here.

Photos by Matthew Passiglia