Karen Walker Spring 2010 The Village

Up at the crack of dawn, deciding what outfit will be best, and heading to KWs apartment for a last minute model fitting, on this day SHOW DAY! The Village is going to be the collection yet!

Production Week

An extremely efficient and stress-free (touch wood) season this September! And with one more sleep until show day, I cannot wait!
36 looks, 15 models, and one hell of a collection! The Village is going to rock your socks off!


Oh hey, and have a read of this....

Calvin Harris

Fantastic night out in Williamsburg last night!
Catching up with a dear friend from New Zealand, and a great DJ set from Calvin Harris!

FIT

In an attempt to give the money purse a break, yesterday I ventured into familiar territory...the fashion district, and stopped off at F.I.T (Fashion Institute of Technology).

They have a fantastic museum which this month had two interesting exhibits to investigate.
The first was Fashion & Politics and was an exploration of over 200 years of politics as expressed through fashion. Fashion has addressed such important themes as nationalism, feminism and ethnic identity, as well as significant events and subcultural movements.
The second featured the relatively unknown desginer Isabel Toledo.
Although she is little known to the general public, her work is greatly admired by members of the fashion community. As the late fashion journalist Amy Spindler once wrote, "Only great designers can dispense with themes and theatrics and let the work speak instead. Ms. Toledo does just that, letting fashion itself be the theme."

A great way to pass an hour or two of the day, NOT be spending up big in some department store, and learning a little more about the industry I am so passionate about!

Celebrate! She is back!

More reasons....

Just a few more reasons why I LOVE this cityviews like this
subway rides, where there is always something interesting happening
HOT NYC fireman!
Great food, great bars, good god!central park in the warmer months.....it helps staying one block away!

Hidden Gem

Wall Street, where fortunes are lost and gained on an hourly basis. Nestled in between this economic madness is an escape.
Stone street is hidden away amongst the hustle and bustle of the Financial District of Manhattan, and I discovered it last night with some New Yorkers.
A hidden gem even to locals that have lived here for many years, the vibe of the street is very european, very outdoorsy, very pub like.
Delicious food, beverage and conversation ensued and then true to New York life we befriended our sassy fun waitress who promptly invited us all to her going away party the following night.
I love this city!

Barneys New York Warehouse Sale - LAST DAYS

First thing Sunday this is where I will be heading!
Look out crazy bargain hunters, I'm in town now, and ready to spend up a storm!

Taking Another Bite

Well after 22 hours of somewhat improved travel plans (they upgraded me to PREMIUM economy ha), I have arrived at last!

And boy does it look even better than ever!

NEW YORK here I come

Tonight the dancefloor is my domain, attending a Spring Fling inspired party night.
Tomorrow, in the wee hours of the morning, and hopefully hangover free....I will be on that jetplane heading to one of my favourite cities in the world!
I cannot wait to be back and see all my amazing friends and colleagues again!

x

line up only gets better

Although I miss out on his first show, as it clashes with Oscar, Phillip Lim is putting on a charity show with AMEX, showing the collection a second time! HURRAH!
Known for their impeccable gowns, I couldn't pass up the chance to work with Badgley Mischka once again. I am hoping this season to meet Terri too, after seeing Heather Graham last season!

Derek Lam is known for his pretty, girly fabrics backed by clean, crisp silhouettes. Signature pieces include raw silk sheath dresses with plunging necklines, wide-leg trousers in various wools and dainty cashmere pea coats cinched with stiff silk belts. So excited to be working with him.

After this mishap last season on the runway

Where barefeet on the runway occurred with mulitple models. Only a quick thinking, talented individual could turn this accident,

into a postively spun PR dream! Brian Reyes is a stunning designer, and I am so happy to once again assist with his show.

one week till lift off

The heartrate quickens, the wrinkle lines you are causing by smiling so much, and constantly having to control your bodily functions.....YES it is ONE WEEK until I leave for New York Fashion Week! I still cannot believe that I have been fortunate enough to attend it for three seasons in a row now.

OSCAR

when the news came through I was gob-smacked! I get to work with Oscar de la Renta this season!

calvin

brooklyn. hipster central. calvin harris dj set. sept 10th. need I say more!

koi suwannagate

After meeting thailand's best stylist in the industry, he has been gracious enough to invite me to the presentation event of Koi Suwannagate!

Artistically inclined and imaginatively beautiful, Koi Suwannagate captures nature’s fleeting beauty in her trademark hand-sculpted creations of multilayered luxurious fabrics. Creating an ethereal fantasy, she tempers delicate arty hand-embellishments with elegant real-world clothes. Her prolific three-dimensional designs not only accentuate feminine contours but they envelope the female body in flowing lines.

pay it forward

I thought it was time I do something to thank BB for all these amazing opportunities she has given me over the seasons! With an astonishing FOUR Australian designers making the long trek to NYFW, I thought it best we work my favourite, and after some PR for BB on my part, its in the bag!

2 weeks.....and the line up starts to take shape!

In just a fortnight the fashion fever will have hit! And I cannot wait. Here is a first line-up of shows I will be lucky enough to be working, thanks to BB!

Alexandre Herchcovitch
Erin Fetherston
Zac Posen

three weeks to go

With three weeks until NYFW once again.....and so in honour of this countdown to being back in one of the best cities in the world, I shopped for NINE hours straight in one of my newest discoveries for fashion....BANGKOK! The local talent over here is phenomenal!

My favourites included TRIMODE, Painkiller, Greyhound and WWA!

the village

Talking to Karen Walker about her New York Fashion Week SS10 show and London Fashion Week

By Helen Lee

One of our favourite New Zealand designers, Karen Walker, gave us a little teaser about her upcoming New York Fashion Week Spring 2009/10 collection entitled The Village and if she would ever show in London Fashion Week again.

What was the inspiration for your upcoming spring summer 2010 collection that will show at NYFW?
We had been re-watching ‘The Prisoner’ (a British television series set in a mysterious seaside village, airing from 1967 – 1968) and have always loved the it look it had – a 60’s Edwardian seaside. I also loved its idea – a Seaside holiday resort that is actually a prison for retired spies.

What goes into getting a collection over to New York, do you ship it over or take it with your as part of your luggage so nothing could go missing or ship it all over?
I take three suitcases of the range with me, all the other things like shoes and accessories get shipped a few weeks before. All the piece arrive complete – thank goodness for porters in American airports!

What has the reception been from the buyers, press and general public since you switched from showing in London Fashion Week to New York Fashion Week?
The first season we showed in NYC we were on the front page of the New York Times and Style.com, that unlocked a few doors for us. Progressively since then the company’s been growing, even in these times of economic recession.

Did you consider going back to London Fashion Week since it’s holding its 25th anniversary shows this year?
No. But maybe we’ll show there for their centenary.

Looking forward to seeing images from Karen Walker’s Spring 2010 collection now, I’m day dreaming of a cute seaside shack with ladies lounging around in cuffed shorts and chic tops – all 1960s inspired of course.

Vertigo

A momentary detour of all talk NYC, as I am in Bangkok for one week!
Off the plane, arriving to a late afternoon muggy overcast, yet lusciously green Bangkok, it was straight onto the social scene that evening. By the way....Check out the airport (above)! Paul look me along with some old friends from Sydney, who are very successful in the fashion and music realms. Where we went, you better not suffer from vertigo is all I am saying!
Seated in the heavens as it were, 59 stories above the ground, we enjoyed the delectable cuisine on offer in what Forbes Traveller votes as one of the sexiest rooftop bars on the globe. I enjoyed the stunning 360 degree views of Bangkok while I tucked into my tiger prawn main.
Named after the balance disorder, I am certain architects and interior designers had a ball with the concept of this bar & grill. Purposely slanted cocktail glasses, precariously steep stairways, multiple levels meaning one is always induced into the up and down motion, and a total lack of the usual hideous safety rails seen at this height (ala Empire State Building!) make me wonder if you leave this bar at the end of the night, with a smile on your face, a full belly and another disorder to add to the list!

One night in bangkok

Before another season of frocks and fashionistas in the concrete jungle I love, its time to experience the offerings of the far east. I jet off today to Bangkok for work, to see all things fashion and the vibrancy of the city that my boss speaks about so fondly. Cannot wait!

Why I heart KW

heart palpitations

the four week mark until I jet over to NYC once more, has come and was celebrated at a lively night out in kings cross. last week I had the best news that friends from the last two seasons would be back again to make me smile in the corridors whilst waiting to begin a job. and even older friends have surprised me with a detour to NY before making the move to Canada! and now this...
doctor, doctor, give me the news... I got a bad case of lovin' you!

5 flew by

the countdown was put on the shelf with busy work schedules....but I must mark its passing...as I found out that friends from across the globe will be joining me in NYC!!! I cannot wait to see you Steph, and you too Wongee, and of course you Drew!

SIX WEEKS!

How quickly the days turn into weeks and then months. With only six weeks until I leave for New York....I am trying to have a little foresight and plan my trip...Namely how many new stores can I visit, which broadway shows I should prioritise to see, Aretha Franklin @ Radio City Music Hall OR The Horrors in Brooklyn, and what exhibits will be showing at the galleries?!

Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week

I have been lucky enough to be invited back to work on the production team for Karen Walker! As well as this great opportunity, I will be attending the rest of NYFW for the third consecutive season, working with backstage beauty Barbara Berman! Joy of joys!

LAN <3 DAUL KIM

One of my favourites from this season, Daul Kim opened the show for She's Cracked. She most definitely rocked out that stunning trench. As well as walking for Karen Walker, she is hot property gracing the catwalk for Rodarte, Chanel and D&G. She blogs, writes for magazines such as Paper Magazine and also reports for the fashion programme back home in South Korea, OnStyle. After an appearance on NZ television, I decided to cast my net further a field. Click the box below, and do try not to giggle too much!

TVNZ tells it like it REALLY is...

It is always so interesting to me how the media outlets can twist the viewers perception of this industry. Creating immense and endless glitz and glamour, and forgetting, that like every other industry out there, you do not get to the top by lounging about. TVNZ reporter Tim Wilson, was a breathe of fresh air, and told his audience to some extent at least, the cold hard truth. And there I was, on TV1 Breakfast being interviewed about fashion and interns and what not....HILARIOUS!

Good luck Paris baby! But just remember....for now you are SECOND assistant!

x

Where's Wally?

Some fashionistas live for the bright lights and fame of fashion week. I have fallen into quite an odd sub-category which I have relished! I want to be the new Where's Wally (or Waldo to the Yanks)! Haha!

My first flurry into this new role was over a year ago at BLUE, the menswear fashion/trade show, appearing behind the scenes in an episode of the Hills. I hadn't really heard of the show, and was more interested in chatting with PR empire legend, head of People's Revolution, Kelly Cutrone. And then again I embodied Wally backstage at NYFW Spring 2009 at the Jason Wu show (later in an issue of Vogue USA).

Come NYFW Fall 2009, it has been my mission to take on my new Where's Wally persona in full force. Spot me HERE if you can...and about four minutes in HERE

Although.....now part of me thinks I could in fact be Wally's arch nemesis, Odlaw!

The rest of the week....

A montage of the other shows I worked backstage at New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter

Rodarte

Alexandre Herchcovitch

3.1 Phillip Lim

Diane von Furstenberg
Brian Reyes

Isaac Mizrahi

Project Runway Finale