Best NYFW Experience
Hello, my dear friends! The past week has been super busy because I was up in New York City for fashion week, it always take a lot of energy to get ready for and recuperate from fashion week frenzy. This is my eighth season with NYFW, each time, I learn something new about the activities and myself, like the ones from past season, I am writing this to share with you my findings.
All and all, I have to say this time is my best NYFW ever. I had a wonderful time going to shows and meeting with friends, feeling very inspired but not exhausted. What made the difference? I will spill the beans for you now:
1. Keep it short and sweet
The biggest difference for me this round is I was in NYC for only two days. Instead of trying to go to as many shows as possible, I picked 2-3 brands each day that really matter to me. By doing that, I was able to spend more time reviewing the new designs and enjoying myself at the show/presentations.
2. Go backstage
A new viewpoint I’ve picked up just in the past year, is backstage access. Hair and makeup artists would review their inspirations and techniques of the runway looks during backstage hour. Foremost, it gives me a deeper understanding and appreciation for the designs, and I’ve also find the styling tips they given are very practical for my own styling later. Here is an example backstage experience I had at the Public School show:
Another benefit about backstage access I love is the closeness to all the designs. Often, they are hanging on the racks next to where the models getting their hair and makeup. I could have a close observation of the designs, even touch the fabric a little (with permission, of course), that is the next best thing to wearing them myself.
Tome mood board backstage
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3. Presentations matter
Presentation is a more laid-back way of showcasing the designs. Models would stand around (sometimes sitting) in designated spots for people to look at the design up close. They used to be pretty static (the models) so it really was all about the designs. Brands have become more sophisticated with presentations nowadays, there would be segments of runway walk, or performance, combined with static display to best show case the designs. I personally find presentations much less stressful than runway shows so I try to go to them as much as I can. This season, I went to three presentations, they all have been amazing.
TOME SS18 presentation had models standing around while dancers dancing to live music wearing TOME designs.
While DVF had the glass windows tinted to the same colors of the collection. Guests can sip a glass of bubbly and watching models walking on elevated runway continuously like a on-going slide show.
Sies Marjan choose to present his collection in the design studio. It was like real life Project Runway moment walking around the studio and seeing all the sewing machines as well as scrolls of colorful fabrics.
…and Rosie Assoulin’s presentation is at this SoHo loft. the type of places with huge windows that gives lots of natural lighting. Models are allowed to roam upon request and pose for photos like this:
4. Streetstyle who
Fashion week, especially NYFW, is getting increasingly packed with bloggers and spectators alike, I am one of them, too. Why do bloggers go to fashion week, to view the new designs, of course, but also, to get photographed, street style. The media’s attention to street style fashion has made it a bullet train to fame & success, or at least it seemed so. My personal experience has taught me a different story — everyone gets photographed but only the famous make the cut. How do you become famous, you ask? Not through street style during fashion week, I am afraid. It happens sometimes, but even that is not a one-hit wonder kind of thing, you have to show up a lot to major events in consecutive seasons. With that type of connection and exposure, I am pretty sure you’d be a successful blogger already, not because of the street style captures.
In other words, I think a better experience would be put on your best outfits, enjoy the shutterflies when they are around and don’t let street style slave you.
A real NYC street style moment outside of DVF
Posing with Christie (@christie_ferrari) after Zimmermann for street style photographers. This one is taken by Ryan (I@ryanchuachua)
5. Friends over brands
My last but not least bit of fashion week tips, on how to make it a great experience, is to connect with people. Fashion week is a trade show for editors, buyers and stylist, a comic-con for bloggers and influencers.Fashion industry is like any industry, relationships and connections matter. We can sit in the comfort of our couches to watch all the runways and read all about the next trends, but we still need to show up to make that personal connection.
Every season, I always love meeting with bloggers from other part of the country (world), getting to know each other more. The people I’ve met and become good friends with, have made my fashion week experience better and better over the years. My time dedicated to friends during fashion week has been growing as it should be. It is always more fun when you have someone to go to show, tackle street styles, even commiserate over not getting the exposure you think you deserve with. 😀
Breakfast time with blogger friends
Meeting up with the beautiful Emilie (@mylittlefashiondiary) all the way from Paris
Hurried to another show with my friend Alyson (@alysoncafiero), captured by Mangue (@quistyle)
a fan moment with Yoyo Cao
Thank you so much for reading! More fashion week topics are coming up, see you in my next post!
Outfit Details:
Look One
Valentino printed t-shirt;
Dries Van Noten mesh top;
Ellery maxi skirt;
Manu Atelier bag;
Balenciaga boots;
Gucci wool beret;
Loewe sunglasses;
Look Two
Delpozo off-the-shoulder knit top;
Delpozo linen pants;
Chanel mules;
Manu Atelier bag;
Rock & Stone earrings;
Dior sunglasses;
Look Three
Zimmermann asymmetrical top;
Balenciaga plaid pants,
Balenciaga metalic boots;
Saint Laurent bag;
Celine earrings;
Oliver Peoples sunglasses
