And so it ends....

Well after multiple delays in every leg of my journey, and many many tears shed along the way, some twenty-nine hours later I touched down in Brisbane, Australia!
I am strangley content and happy to be home, which is something I did not expect. After the hype, hustle & bustle and sheer joy of living in New York I thought coming home would be the most depressing thing and that I would be down from the day I landed.
But one is quick to forget to time has past. This place almost feels new to me after being away almost five months! Everyone has changed, places have changed, and I can't wait to encounter all these changes before I start on my new adventure in Sydney.

New York has been the most amazing experience to date in my short life. It is something I will never forget and hold very dear to my heart. I fell hard for the city, and all it had to offer and one day we will be together again! I love you NYC!
To all those wonderful people I met and befriended while I was there please know I will never forget you. I had a wealth of unforggetable experiences during my time in New York and without the great people I met, those times would have been sorely lacking something special!

I go forward with a more confident sure of myself, go for what I want (be it in all areas of my life) attitude that I owe entirely to New York. I too have changed over these last few months, I have grown, developed and gained so much.

SO LOOK OUT SYDNEY!

Last days

Well I made the most of my last weekend in New York thats for sure! With fashion week finishing with a bang with the Badgley Mischka show on the Friday it was time to live it up New York style one last time before I said goodbye.

Enjoyed a couple of beers and NYC style pizza with Dane and Danni at their place, while doing loads of washing hahahaha.
Then a bite to eat at the much raved about (holla to my Danielle&Brad) City Grill with Drew up on the Upper West side on Saturday. Damn those buffalo wings were delish! One last boogie at Vlada, although that DJ played the same songs over and over again, and my drinks weren't that great :-P

Sunday Brunch with Dane and Danni one last time, at a great place just up the street from them called Vinyl. I loved the themed bathrooms, oh yeah and the meal hehe!
Out on the town at various locations. 8 Mile Creek, an Australian bar in Soho where we celebrated Drew's friend Skye's birthday and then continued on the party with new found friends to Diva where the drinks kept flowing and dancing began!
Then it was off to meet up with Joe at HK Lounge.....more drinks, great beats and dance moves, not to mention the company ;-)

Hanging out in Central Park with Ruth, the warm sun beaming down on us and the pleasant breeze gently passing by. And Joe was nice enough to come over the day of my flight and help me get all my stuff packed and ready for the long flight home.

Its all over...unfortunately

Friday was the final day of Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week 2008. Thanks to BB I was able to pick up one last show to help backstage at. The designers were Badgley Mischka, a powerhouse duo that having been creating beautiful garments for the past twenty years. The collection was light and flowy, just as the designers had wanted.
My model was none other than supermodel Jessica Stam! She is a lovely canadian gal who was great to work with, even though she snuck a puff of a cigarette right before the show started haha. Although I had three looks for the show, it seemed chilled and relaxed backstage. It was how every runway show should be, stress free and calm. After the show, who should stick their head in backstage but none other than Heather Graham! Gorgeous in person, I was just a little star struck hehehe.

So there you go, all over red rover. What a great ride it was! Thanks BB!

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=51298&l=7fe6c&id=607920924

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=51374&l=191cd&id=607920924

Lest we forget......FASHION

September 11th, although the anniversary of a horrific time in New York's history, it was still Mercedes Fashion Week and I had lots of shows on!
First off was JC Obando, who was also a finalist like Jason Wu for the Vogue Awards. This was another show I worked from of house for. It was at a really cool and gloomy industrial space in Chelsea. We assembled the seating, goodie bags (which we got at the end also!) and invites in the low lit environment. Then I donned my headset and clipboard and spent the next few minutes seating all the important editors and socialites that had turned out. Chris from the last season of Project Runway was there in his leopard print shirt number, and although Anna Wintour was meant to come, she sent a famous writer from Vogue instead. The show, with all the hype and detail to the venue and music, was actually very underwhelming indeed. Oh yes, again I got to sit in the audience and watch as not everyone had attended :-) Another good experience for the resume, just a pity the collection was not as strong as his last!

Next on the list was something FIERCE! That's right five foot nothing, winner of last season's Project Runway Christian Siriano was showing at fashion week. The venue was quite a cool and chic but incredibly cramped backstage. Literally the dressing team had to wait out in the corridor until first looks were called, mainly due to all the media that was swarming. It looked like a Project Runway reunion as many of the designers from last season turned up to wish him well. And although I missed them Nina Garcia & Tim Gunn also popped in, but I DID get to see the hostess with the mostess HEIDI KLUM. She fooled around with Christian giving him a piggy back ride for the cameras it was hilarious. She is SO beautiful in person, and looks WAY younger in the flesh. The collection was very cool and colourful, but very similar to his collection that he showed on the finale. My models were Irina and Heidi, who both rocked it on the runway!

Last for the evening, back at the Salon Tent, was Australian Ray Costarella's beautiful label Aurelio Costarella. Hailing from Perth, WA (represent!) his label is hoping to break into the luxury/couture market over this side of the world, and although he may be relatively unknown in Australia he is certainly making a name for himself over here and having a lot of success. The collection was very beautiful indeed and you could not fault it one bit! Great soundtrack aided my model Megan strut her stuff to perfection!
Check out the video :-)
http://usweb03.nunet.de/fashionweek/nys09/aurelio_costarella/

Reyes, Roland and BLOND

Wednesday 10th started at 7:30am at Bryant Park in the Salon Tent which I have come to know well, and for some reason always arrive with little or no sleep! This morning was no different but we prepared for a great show by Brian Reyes. The garments were beautiful and full of colour for summer, and the soundtrack to the show rocked the house down!
My models for this show were Sessilee (who had been featured in the The Post that day!) and Nathalie!

Pamella Roland at the Salon tent began the afternoon of fun! Her designs were so stunning especially the gowns at the end. Prints and many shapes of frocks appeared, all executed brilliantly by our models. The detail in garment construction was great to see also, which is what you should expect when paying top dollar! My model was Saleisha, the winner of Americas Next Top Model cycle 9!

The finale of my Wednesday was back at the Altman Building in Chelsea. Tonight was the show I had most looked forward to, as I had been told it would be the most over the top and the most fun! They weren't wrong! The Blonds did an amazing job! Yes, The Blonds. Two guys, one that is transgender, who are blond and design some wicked stuff! The show was very theatrical, and lots of fun. Every single model adorned a platinum blond wig and was encouraged to work it and have fun on the runway! Backstage was crazy with quick changes between looks, and some where we had to cut the girls out of the outfits! Add costume jewellery and it added a little bit of stress to the process. My model was Anastacia, and was the most difficult model I've worked with. Her looks were almost pulled from the show because she was being so difficult. I couldn't find any shots of her to put on here.....karma perhaps :-P

We got invited to the after party for the Blonds, so naturally we went! It was very low key in a cool underground bar/club in Hells Kitchen. Free drinks, good music, the perfect way to unwind after a very busy day!

Behnaz & Benjamin

Yesterday I tried my hand at working front of house at a fashion show. The designer was Behnaz Sarafpour, and her show was at the Art Directors Club which happens to be owned by the man that created the I LOVE NY logo back in the day! Working front of house is not nearly as exciting as working backstage but it was another experience to take in and add to the ever growing resume!
The collection was aimed at young upper east siders ala gossip girl, and was very cute. Unfortunately due to rain, and a proceding Marc Jacobs show, the turn out was not very good. HOWEVER this meant that I got to sit front row and watch the show! WOOT! My favourite model at the moment is one I've seen at the KW show, and a few others, Iekeliene.

Later in the day was the Benjamin Cho show. It was at the Altman Building where KW had been.
I chose this show over a more well known designer as BB described this as crazy, disorganised, last minute but with fantastic results and a huge indie following! No kidding! Models switched outfits at the last minute, new looks were MADE backstage for some, and the running order was pretty much whichever models were dressed when the show was finally called to start, one hour later than scheduled. But the audience, which included an Olsen twin (saw her backstage also!), Bow Wow and Santino from a past Project Runway season.
The clothes were fantastic, very chic, forward and avante garde. In my opinion WELL worth the wait and by the sound of the applause I was not alone.
I had three models Nina (who was the first to walk, a big thing for any show!), Laura a nice gal from Chicago and Balakina who wore this dressed sewn to the nines with keys!

Even though I had an invitation the after party for Benjamin Cho, I decided to chill at home with Drew and enjoy a BUCKET of KFC, something I have not seen since 1994 when we left South Africa. Chicken, biscuits, mac n cheese and coleslaw.......I did not plan on eating the following day hahahaha. What a way to end the day, eating a weeks worth of a models meals in one sitting. The after party would have been fun, but with an early start the next day I thought I better improve on my track record of 2 - 4 hours sleep!

Twinkle & Isaac Mizrahi

So first off I have discovered http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/S2009RTW/ and so now I am able to post pictures of the models that I actually dressed for the show! WOW isn't technology grand.

On Monday I had two shows to attend. First off was another 7:30am call time at the Salon Tent at Bryant Park. The Twinkle by Wenlan is a collection by Taipei born American designer Wenlan Chia. Her collections are known for their whimsical take on feminine dressing with a dash of the exotic, dose of pop culture and sense of humour. This collection was no different!

Next on the agenda was Isaac Mizrahi! The american legendary designer is getting back to his amazing best and this collection certainly showcased his skills. Beautiful garments, with bright summer colour undergarments (camosoles, bodysuits and tank tops) to add another dimension to the outfit. I loved how great the models looked with the little pop of subtle colour a they walked in perfect timing to a live orchestra belting out such beautiful music! And have a read on Style.com as I am totally intrigued by the lighting that Isaac used. And doesn't my model Adina look fantastic!



http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2009RTW-MIZRAHI

Third Day Sunday

Today was a jam-packed Sunday with four shows in the day all over Manhattan

Costello Tagliapietra was first off at Focus Studio. We were all very surprised and let out screams of joy when we saw the model card for the first model. The first is always very important for a show as designers like to get well known faces, or unique and new ones. The designers of CT went for none other than supermodel AGYNESS DEYN! Yes thats right! I have now been mere metres away from Anna Wintour and Agyness Deyn! How lucky am I?! The collection was beautiful and really trendy!
My model was Mina :-)

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2009RTW-COSTTAG

Next was UK fashion house Preen which used elaborate laced garments which were very difficult to fit on the models, although they looked out of this world. Hannah, Steph and I got to be stand in models and walked the runway when they did a run through of the show to check timing :-) One photographer thought I had a great walk and was bound to be signed by the end of the day hahahahaha. My model was Marina.

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2009RTW-COSTTAG

Staerk was a Danish designer and the show was held at Bumble & Bumble. The use of leather, suede and intricate jewellery combined with the architectural stylings made it a knock out line indeed! My models were Valeria & Thana.

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2009RTW-CSTAERK

Tuleh was the final show of the day. A very pretty and feminine line, filled with some amazing prints and patterns. The show was held on the river on the 9th floor, home to Martha Stewart's offices. Oh and yes she did pop in and say HI. She didn't have any freshly baked cookies on hand though so I just got back to dressing my models in some amazing dresses. My models were Emma and Kate.

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2009RTW-TULEH

Show Day

Yesterday was my second day of fashion week, and the day of Karen Walkers runway show. The atmosphere at KWs apartment was relaxed and chilled with much anticipation.
Karen took the time to find out what my plans were once I return to Australia and offered to give me some contacts for when I move to Sydney! WOW! What a lovely gesture!
Back to the show, all the looks were triple checked, and prepared to take everything to the Altman Building where the show would be. Once there the collection was steamed, and prepped for the models and dressers. Then I had the important task of picking up a model from another show who we had booked for ours. In the town car I hopped and rolled over to the Soho Grand Hotel, where after watching a very substandard pretentious collection, I delivered Rachel to our expert make-up and hair people to get her ready for the show.

"Warren Jeffs’ Yearning for Zion Ranch cult may seem like an unlikely source of fashion inspiration – but Karen Walker has managed to create a stunning collection of separates from it. Walker’s Spring/Summer 2009 Northern Hemisphere range, aptly titled The Believers, takes its cue from the polygamous sect led by Jeffs which has been in the news recently. Not only is the collection inspired by cults, communes and religious sects, it also takes from the film Holy Mountain and the music of Muddy Waters."

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2009RTW-KWALKER

A fantastic show, with great reviews by many publications, and so it was time to kick up our heels at Tribeca Grand and enjoy a few bevies! The Press Office gang were there also, so it was wonderful to see them again and hang out. I'm going to miss them a lot they have been a big part of all these opportunities and experiences I have had here. And at last I got my photo with Karen Walker. Hehehe

And so it begins...

Today, Friday September 5th kicked off a week of FASHION!
New York Fashion week is here, and begin at a bright an early 7:30am call time! This might have been ok had I not indulged in $3 Long Island Ice Teas with Joey the previous night. I arrived at Bryant Park a little sleepy, but this was quickly overcome with strong coffee and the fact that I was entering one of the tents!
My first show of the week was Michael Angel, an Australian designer whose beautiful collection was filled with top grade fabrics in psychodelic tye die effects. Sounds strange, but truly breathtaking!
Next we zipped across town to Chelsea to Bumble & Bumble headquarters where Joanne Cordero Reyes showed off the collection from Vincente Villarin, which although very nice, we found the finish and quality to be of questionable standard. The show was also rather disorganised and we were almost late to our next show!
Midtown by cab and we arrived at Exit Art Gallery. Jason Wu, finalist for CFDA/Vogue awards, put on a top class show with fantastic models (including 'it' girl Chanel Iman) and an amazing collection for spring/summer.
The highlight of my first day, was being less than two metres away and in the same room as the most powerful woman in the fashion world. ANNA WINTOUR has been to every show of Jason's and today was no exception. We just didn't expect her backstage! GOBSMACKED!
My model was Siri.

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2009RTW-JASONWU

After all of that excitement I went over to KW's apartment and lent a hand for a couple of hours. All this on only three hours sleep!

BeEcoChic

So my preview to the busy busy fashion week ahead began tonight at the American Museum of Natural History of all places. It was the venue for the Be Eco Chic venue, an event to promote that you can be earth friendly and fashion forward at the same time!
"Being EcoChic is about being fashionable and responsible. It's realizing that we can live green without giving up our sense of style. Living eco can be chic"
The event was different in that instead of models they used celebrities and personalities. I dressed celebrities like James Lesure (Las Vegas), Mark Indelicato (kid from Ugly Betty) and rubbed shoulders with stars like Malin Ackerman (27 Dresses), Alek Wek (supermodel), Tamara Feldman (Gossip Girl) and Theodore Richards (daughter of Keith!) & her mum Patti Hansen.
What a way to kick things off huh!

DAY 4: Hair & Make-up

Today with KW was the day where all the hair and make-up professionals come over and try out many different looks that compliment the collection.
These super talented people did an amazing job of adding to the looks but not taking anything away from them!
As well as that casting and contacting modelling agencies continued, and now ten of fifteen models are confirmed and ours for the show. Hurrah!

Eatery.....the last time?

Tonight Dane & Danni Lam and I went to what has become my favourite restaurant in New York City. I have been there too many times to recall now! Eatery is where the maitre d never makes me wait for a table and everyone knows my name (oh yes almost like Cheers baby). Tonight might have been my very last visit to Eatery, which almost brought forth tears hahaha, but I am already trying to fit in brunch into my busy fashion week schedule so that the dream will never die. We ate scallop fettuccine and Persian chicken accompanied by some great Chilean vino. And lets not forget the deliciously decadent deserts that were great on the lips AND also on the hips......Mmmmmmmmmm good!