Tibi faux fur coat (similar here) // Tiko Paksa blazer (similar here)
Tibi track top // Marni belt (similar here) // Jean Atelier jeans
Zara boots (similar here) // Celine sunglasses

Towards the second half of Day 2, the weather took a turn for the worse.  My open front balloon sleeve coat was rad, but couldn’t handle the cold so I changed into a second look.

You may remember this plaid Tiko Paksa blazer from a past fashion week.  I’ve been loving purple for winter, and it went perfectly with my Tibi faux fur bomber and track top.  To add proportion, I knew a nipped waistline was in order.  This massive Marni belt is super editorial with its floor skimming tassels and made me feel like a glam WWE wrestling champ.  I’d call that a win.

While some women are experts at the multi-outfit approach to NYFW, it’s not my preference.  For one, I like the challenge of finding outfits that are chic, functional and can be worn all day.  Second, I’m a collector.  While a lot of bloggers borrow clothes from showrooms or designers during NYFW, I buy all my looks.  My garments are like treasures – I care for them, admire them and hoard them.  I couldn’t bear to give them back, hah!

Nonie

Nonie backstage images courtesy of Bumble & Bumble

I first saw Canadian brand Nonie’s runway in September 2018.  A favorite of Megan Markle, the brand delivers clean tailoring, lush basics and a sprinkle of accent pieces – think a leopard print trench coat – in for good measure.  In other words, if you’re interested in the benefits of a capsule wardrobe, Nonie is the brand for you.

The neutral color palette Nonie presented for FW19 felt rich and warm.  Expert draping seen in cardigan sweaters, wide leg trousers and wrap tops provided an easiness to the overall refinement.  When the Nonie woman wants to amp up her look, she struts about in crimson dresses, floral print jumpsuits and accents of ruffles and lace.  Every single piece was extremely wearable.  Every single piece looked extremely comfortable.  There’s not a woman around who couldn’t put countless looks together with the elevated staples Nonie sent down the runway.

From a winter collection for every woman to a swimwear collection for every woman I went!

Chromat

Chromat images © IMAXtree.com

If you’ve read my NYFW recaps before, you know Chromat is probably the most inclusive brand to show at fashion week.  They create avant-garde swimwear and bodywear for every age and body.  The goal?  Make the wearer feel positively fabulous.

Witnessing a Chromat runway is proof that the brand makes women feel like a million dollars.  I’ve always maintained that this show is less a runway and more a party.  The audience is super involved, cheering, clapping and dancing as the models strut their stuff.  Personality is majorly encouraged and when the models get to the end of the runway, they SERVE it.

Inspired by Miami, neon colors and tropical accents dominated the collection.  I loved the one-shoulder long sleeved tops paired with sporty bottoms.  What I loved even more, was Chromat’s commitment to sustainability.  Like Collina Strada from earlier in the week, Chromat focused on fashion that is kind to our planet.  Using regenerated nylon recovered from fishing nets found in the world’s oceans, the team constructed the fall 2019 collection.

Inclusivity vs. Exclusivity

Once back in my hotel room, I reflected on the notion of inclusivity in the fashion world.  By nature, fashion is very exclusive.  It’s actually the lifeblood of the industry, perpetuating the notion that only a select few can have access to the best of the best.

A lot of bloggers tell me they are too scared to attend NYFW because they don’t know anyone and thus don’t think they’d fit in.  I’ve been lucky to find the opposite.

NYFW is like summer camp.  You see the same people year after year, and although your contact is minimal save for this one crazy week, you pick up where you left off.  You bond over your common passion.  You understand each other.  You speak the same language.

Never in my life have I found a group of people – outside of my dear family and friends –  that “get” me as much as my NYFW peers.  There is no explanation.  I don’t have to qualify anything.  I’m just understood.

As NYFW evolves (more to come on this topic) this notion of inclusiveness is what motivates me.

Speaking of inclusivity, on Friday night I was supposed to meet up with a group of blogger friends for drinks.  Contemplating whether or not I wanted to get out of my pj’s and brave the bitter cold, I called my friend Tiffany who was also at NYFW.

“What do you think?  Should we go out?”

What ensued was a fabulous 45min phone date.  Sometimes staying in and gabbing fashion is more fun.

Stay tuned for my final recap of NYFW FW19 tomorrow!

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OOTD photos by Andrea Ceraso Photography