Working NYFW 2016 - Living the dream!
NEW YORK FASHION WEEK F/W 2016
2/8/2016
Since I can remember, New York Fashion Week was always a dream that seemed impossible to reach. This year I was determined to make that dream come true. I emailed every contact I had and finally my mom came across an agency that produces shows for NYFW. I applied and didn't hear back for 5 weeks. The Friday before Fashion Week I receieved an email saying we have a Wednesday morning meeting and that I was scheduled to work all the shows from Thursday- Monday morning. I dropped my phone and stared at my laptop for a good 4 minutes.......booked my train and started packing the furs, the designers, and all the black clothing I could find (aka my entire closet).
This was the only time that working 12 hour days was insanely rewarding. I worked for Style Fashion Week for NYFW. On the first day I was a back stage intern dealing with the run of the show, model order, steaming the last minute looks for the show and dressing models. It was phenomenal because I got to see the behind-the-scenes chaos and magic. The look on the designer's faces when everything came together was priceless and I was so honored to be one of the reasons why it went smoothly. I worked with 6-10 interns and met people from all over the world from Mississsippi to Florida to Argentina! By Sunday (arriving 20 minutes late), my supervisor promoted me to "Back Stage Manager's Assistant" - I was in charge of 20 interns and delegated various duties to everyone, while working closely to the designers and media. I was so honored to receive this role within NYFW because I felt even more connected than before and honestly turned to my co-worker and said please pinch me?!?! Am I really working NYFW?
I worked with over 17 designers through the week and my favorites were:
Luxury renaissance inspired style - I worked directly with Malan himself, the sweetest man on earth with the BEST style I have ever seen. Velvet blazers, red handkerchiefs, and gold patterned pants, Malan had the style of a successful luxury designer. He had over 40 looks and I was working with Nick - the man that did it all - I asked him multiple times what his job was and he said "honey my job is your dream". Nick and Malan were phenomenal to work with and that was by far my most stressful show experience because of all the quick changes and delicate garments.
I like to think of Ev Bassar as bad ass couture. My supervisor told us to throw black down feathers all across the runway and I knew this was going to be crazy. Ev Bassar came out in furs, chains, blacks, and red makeup. The designs were extremely heavy but honestly I was shocked by how great the quality was. The finale with the "cruela devil" inspired coat shook the entire hall and he ended the first day of fashion week with a bang.
Kim Mesches was honestly one of my favorite designers because his outfits were a across between Theory, Calvin Klein, and Helmet Lang, but with a touch of flare from Kim himself. Working with Kim was an honor because I loved his passion throughout the show. He didn't show one sign of worry and was smiling the whole time. I absolutely loved his collection and have already purchased an outfit. The mesh fabrics and color pallets aligned with my exact style.
Control Sector + Lucky Selectism
Control Sector was a combination between Yeezy, Open Ceremony and Theory. I believe this was my absolute favorite because of the minimalistic styles with an urban feel. The designers were great to work with and very organized. Lucky Selectism is a sunglass wear collection and I am completely obsessed with their styles!
Just Drew brought the most press out of any show I worked. I was Jonathan Cheban's personal press assistant and worked with Abigail Breslin as well. The clothing was retro-chic with a touch of minimalistic contemporary. Andrew was the funniest and most down to earth designer I had ever met.
Featured in NY Mag, Vogue, Elle and Cosmopolitan, Farah Angasana's show showed me the fashion industry everyone has been talking about. Drama, chaos, and absolute magic. Her show debuted beautiful gowns and working with such delicate and expensive fabric was a struggle for all of us interns.
Luxury fashion for dogs....that is all I have to say. Beautiful, creative and insane!
Amanda Perna, project runway star, created a colorful and contemporary line from Florida. Although the collection was debuting in NYFW fall 2016, the shorts, skirts, dresses and bright colors were perfect for fall in Florida.
On Saturday I was tasked to do social media for Style and worked the front lobby and backstage check in of Rebecca Minkoff's show. I met tons of famous bloggers and celebrities and was in AWE. Check my post Street Style of Fashion Week to see all the beautiful outfits and After working these phenomenal and breathtaking shows we attended all the after party's and worked most of them as well. I will forever thank Style Fashion Week for giving me the opportunity to work my first NYFW. #StillDreaming #UntilParisXNYFW
