For my second New York Fashion Week, I thought I would come prepared. And by that I mean caffeine tablets and ThisWorks pillow spray to try to combat the jet lag, Muji pots full of Vicks Rub and Albas Oil to try to prevent myself from getting a cold on the plane, and layer upon layer of thermals to protect me from the below freezing temperatures. It still didn’t work, and I still got ill! But if anything can take your mind off a cold, it’s New York City! Vicky and I landed on Saturday evening, and after a quick unpacking, we hit the bar in the Hudson hotel for some cocktails and a little boogie before collapsing into bed!
On Sunday we went to the Zoe Jordan FW15 Presentation at The Highline Room in The Standard hotel. The collection featured sumptuous fur details, revealed midriffs and shoulders seen under shimmering fabrics and rich blue ombre tones. The models dewy makeup look was created by Maybelline.
Of course we couldn’t go to The Standard without visiting Le Bain cocktail lounge – how stunning is this view!
We then hopped in a cab and explored the shopping streets around the SoHo area; including the infamous Prada store where the grand staircase descends down to an installation of mannequins wearing the brands most iconic pieces, with embellished diamond eyelashes and candy floss hair, you might recognise the area from a Sex and the City episode!
Then we checked out the Bite Lip Lab. After my obsession with the Lip Crayons which I got in my Sephora Haul, I wanted to find out more about the brand; and the lab lets you pick your own colours and blend a lipstick in your dream shade.
We also visited the Birchbox store which had Pick n Mix candy! I purchased a cute little ‘Emergency Kit’ which contains everything you could need in your handbag, from safety pins and hair spray, to a mini sewing kit and breath spray!
Monday morning was the Tommy Hilfiger show, and it was the greatest spectacle of a show that I’d ever attended. Our seats although they were not near the front still gave us a super view; and the set up was on another level. The Park Avenue Armory was transformed into a football field complete with astroturf, bleacher seating and a mega screen giving detailed shots of the show. The models marched to tunes from Destiny’s Child, Missy Elliott and Aaliyah and the clothes bought a retro vibe to American college fashion. Thick cable knit sweaters were paired with little mini skirts reminiscent of cheerleader uniforms, and jersey dresses were emblazoned with 30 Tommy. Leather dresses with stitching that you would see on a football, and a red leather poncho were worn with high heeled boots , as seen on models Jourdan Dunn, Gigi Hadid and Grace Hartzel.
Then, in the Lincoln Centre (the hub of fashion week, equivalent to London’s Somerset House) Vicky and I had a min blow dry at Tresemme and a skin analysis at Sk-II, which revealed our skin to be surprisingly good with Vicky being told she had the skin age of a 17 year old!
Sk-II gave us a couple of moisture masks which we applied that evening, giving our complexions a much needed radiance boost before we headed to The Mercer Kitchen for a scrumptious dinner.
We spotted Jack’s Wife Freda cropping up on our Instagram feeds so decided to try it out for breakfast, and we were joined by some old friends that I used to work with at Reiss! Thanks to Mamou for his lovely photography! We explored the shopping streets nearby a little more with the guys, before grabbing a taxi to the next show.
I was invited backstage before the Alice & Olivia show by Nails Inc, and spoke to the lovely Sophie about the inspiration behind the models nails. The collection is regal and glamorous with a 60s and 70s vibe, with baroque inspired embellishments and details. The models’ nails were equally glamorous with a thick coat of the glossy Burgundy shade; Grosvenor Crescent over almond shaped nails, and completed with an embellishment of three dimensional gold top coat in Nails Inc’s Belgrave Square.
Wearing our matching pom pom hats (mine is Pom Pom Poodles, Vicky’s is Amelia Jane London), we then headed towards Madison Avenue for some much needed retail therapy!
And for dinner, we headed for another Sex and the City spot; Buddakan where we feasted in the urban mess hall dining room on modern Asian cuisine. Menu highlights included fresh and innovative dishes such as deboned frog’s legs tossed with golden chives, lollipops of minced chestnuts, and melting portions of sea bass rolled into steamed cabbage leaves and flavoured with scallion oil and ginger. I enjoyed Peking Duck rice infusions and the most melt in the mouth hoisin glazed pork belly with steamed buns.
Tuesday was more work than play, but we still had time for a selfie before I knuckled down to some last minute event planning ready for our FashTech event that evening. For the rest of the week we have more shows planned, and also some sightseeing and shopping! If you’ve got any recommendations for where we should try, tweet me @FashionMumblr!
Stay tuned for Part 2 of my NYFW photo diary, coming this weekend!
