Hey House Cats-
So this New York Fashion Week marks my 8th season in attendance. Next season will most likely be my last before I start sending contributors full time to the show as I focus on other things. As I begin to reflect on my time under the tents, I can not help but feel so humbled and appreciative of the opportunities that I have had to attend. I classify myself as a lifestyle blogger…. New York Lifestyle to be exact. Of course when you cover New York Lifestyle, you simply must cover fashion. New York City is the epicenter of all things fabulous.
As I reflect on the eight seasons I think about the great strides bloggers have made in the fashion industry. Specifically, in this post I will talk about my strides. I remember my very first time attending New York Fashion Week, back when it was still taking place at Bryant Park… I snuck in and/or crashed, lolll. My best friend Mike (who is totally not into fashion) waited outside on the steps with me in the dead of winter… snow on the ground… waiting for an opportunity to make our way in. Someone I knew that worked at a television network signaled for us to come in and that was how it all started. I used my stolen opportunity to network with as many people as possible, and learn the ropes from other vets. Lesson #1: KCD doesn’t like bloggers so don’t apply and don’t cover their clients, Lesson #2: Earn entrance legitimately by applying for credentials and invitations. I remember my very first show, I felt like the kid with the golden ticket. I remember my first encounter with Anna Wintour in the hallways and feeling too terrified to even look at her. For someone who loves fashion, Fashion Week is the greatest thing that could happen to a young blogger, right behind autographed custom yellow bottom Christian Louboutins, lolll.
My first Fashion Week coverage was awful! In the beginning, although I loved it, I didn’t understand the art. It took another blogger, John Simon, who took me under his wing and explained to me the ins and outs of fashion and couture. After receiving his feedback, I learned to dig deeper and discover the inspiration. From there I learned not to take in the whole outfit, but to break it down piece by piece. Each person plays a role in the fashion and has their own unique interpretation. Fast forward to now; I walk into shows and presentations with the goal of discovering what the story is. Most shows are hard to figure out, and in that instance I go on to the designers website for further background.
How I break Fashion Week down in my mind is: Fashion Week is a hospital, the designers are the expectant mothers, and the collections are the seed for life. Once the actual season arrives that is when she gives birth. Based on the ultrasound for Spring/ Summer 2014… she is about to give birth to neon skirts, and leather, lolll. Fashion Week represents life and we are all affected by it in some form or fashion.
I remember my first time backstage; it was for the Tommy Hilfiger show. I met celebrities and got to take pictures of Mr. Hilfiger. I have since gone on to attend other shows and go backstage. This past season was the first time I got full access to a show and watch the magic unfold from beginning to end during the Falguni & Shane Peacock show. I got there just as the models were arriving and they were setting up. I received a special badge and got to watch the models get their make-up done, practice, and get dressed. I had the opportunity to interview the designer and take pictures pre- show. This is an opportunity that most bloggers don’t get. After the show I got to take home a wig and wig head as a memento 🙂 … I will talk about that experience further in my next post.
I guess the reason for me writing this post is to give a different perspective on bloggers attending Fashion Week. Most of us are there because we take the experience very seriously. Some of us see it as an opportunity to development and grow. We use our time there to seek out and produce content for our blogs. My time under the tents is not about being seen… but to find interesting stories. Within my eight seasons, I grew from unsuspecting crasher to now receiving invites from designers. I went from standing room, to occasional front and second row. I will forever be grateful to the people I have met, and my time under the tents.
