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!

DAY 3: More Casting

Today was the second day of casting models for Karen Walker's runway show. More skinny emaciated girls with a heroin glow. But thankfully KW and HM passed straight away on them, but were polite enough to let the girls walk for us, take a polaroid to make them feel good about themselves and then send them out that door quick smart! Now comes the frustrating time where they wait for modelling agencies to confirm the models are booked for the show. Its an anxious waiting game.....but surely tomorrow all will be going to plan!

DAY 2: Casting

Today with Karen Walker I got to experience another side of the pre-production process leading up to a runway show at New York Fashion week. MODEL CASTING!
After today I am over tall, skinny, beautiful girls! Hahahaha. It was interesting to see what type of girls KW & HM were interested in for the various looks for the runway show. We probably saw close to fifty models over the duration of the day, and many of those were in and out of the various looks walking for us up and down in a line in the east side apartment. A delicious vegan korean lunch, some more models strutting there stuff, the day ended with over half the looks having models assigned. Now we wait for the modelling agencies to confirm the models KW was after, as well as find more models tomorrow to fill the rest of the spots.

DAY 1: Deciding the LOOK

My first day working for Karen Walker started with the lady herself answering the door to me! OMG! And I didn't faint, go weak at the knees or anything haha.
She is a lovely down-to-earth kiwi gal, and was so welcoming and made me feel right at home straight away. On a side note I swear her and my good friend Hayley Gibb are long lost sisters, as they sound almost exactly identical.
Day one we assisted in getting the spring/summer 2009 collection ready so that stylist and personal friend of Karens, Heathermary could help Karen decide what from the collection would be shown on the runway. It was so interesting to see how they decide what will and what won't make it, and why. There will be a lot more looks shown on the runway than I ever thought there might be, close to forty!
The atmosphere was exciting, thrilling and chilled and come on I was in the same room as KAREN WALKER for the whole day so why wouldn't it be just another fantastic day in NEW YORK!

Coney Island

On a not so early train, we all headed to Coney Island for the day. It was the last day that the old dilapidated amusement park was open and Dane, Danni, Evan & Akiko had ALL never been over to Coney (slap on the wrist!). The sun was shining, the scent of hot dogs filled the air, carnie folk attempting to get you to play some of the many rigged games, screams coming from the amusement. A lovely somewhat ghetto day indeed!
A walk along the boardwalk enjoying the sun, scenes and beach. While some of the gang checked out the CYCLONE rollercoaster, Akiko and I chilled out in the shade and watched the terrified looks on all the punters faces! haha.
A bit of sunbaking, on a packed umbrella dotted beach, some good conversation with new friend Evan, it was a great way to pass the time.
We ended up staying ALL day until sunset opting for the beer in a cup on the boardwalk look while watching the sun go down, with ghetto pop tunes pumping from the mini dancefloor a few metres away. Danni and I couldn't resist getting up and joining them and what fun it was. Dancing on Coney Island boardwalk in summer with a beautiful sunset behind you. WOW I do love this place!

Super Saturday

What a wonderful Saturday in New York Saturday! It started out with another fantastic brunch at The Neptune Room on the upper west side, this time with Dane, Danni and Drew. We sipped out Mimosa's and enjoyed our round of creme brulee battered french toast. It is STILL the very best french toast I have eaten laid eyes on!
Dane was still craving something savoury, so after a short shop down Fifth Avenue we headed to a secret hidden burger place called the Burger Joint. Hidden away in an ultra swish hotel, down a flight of stairs you are almost transported to the mid-west in some cheap almost sleazy diner. There was no official sign boards with prices etc, it was all hand written in all the colours of the rainbow, and the queue went right out the door. I was a bit dubious as to whether this place would be any good, but it turned out to be one of the best burgers I have had while here. Not only cheap, but delicious too! We escaped the small claustrophobic room and opted to have lunch in Central Park.
Later in the afternoon Dane and Danni invited me to Jersey, to visit a couple that they have met through Julliard School. They have just recently moved across the water and invited us to come and see their new place. I almost decided not to go, but was so glad I made the effort, even after an already jam-packed day! The apartment was a warehouse style studio that was HUGE and it has SO much potential. Brent (a trumpet player) and his girlfriend Cathy were lovely and amazing hosts. They are both Australian so it was nice to be around true blues hehe. I almost got to meet another friend of D&D's, Evan who is a composer who also attends Julliard. These three belted out tunes on the grand piano for us, and Brent did some trumpet work for us. We headed up to the roof and continued a wonderful afternoon late into the night. With such wonderful people like this living in this amazing city, its hard to consider the idea of leaving so very soon!

Monday: MEETING KAREN WALKER!

So with fashion week fast approaching, my first gem in the crown of opportunity bestowed on me is almost here. I will meeting KAREN WALKER on Monday! I am working with KW during her stay in New York city for her runway show. The show is in just one week, and I am so lucky to have the opportunity to work for her and be involved in the pre-production side of things.
I hope I do not faint/fall over/make an ass of myself when I meet her, her team and beautiful new bub Valentina.
And now for some interesting information on KW!

"Phaidon have included her in their recent book Sample which curates the 100 most influential designers to emerge in the last 6 years, and Taschen have also included her in their recent book Fashion Now 2 which highlights the world’s most important 160 designers as selected by i-D magazine."

WOW Go Karen!

I look forward to Monday!

The cream of the crop...

I want to wake up in the city that doesn't sleep.....oh wait thats what I have been doing for the last fourteen weeks!
A brand new start of it indeed! This song totally resonates with me now, and it even makes me a little sad and teary to think that in just two weeks I will be leaving this fantastic city that is New York. Make sure to watch the video to see Liza really rock out.
You certainly came through for me New York!

Xanadu & Tattoo

Hilarious, kitch, funny and fantastic! Tonight I fought my way through the tourists once again along Broadway and went and saw another show. This time I went with Drew and we saw XANADU. Some may recall a disgracefully bad movie of the same name. This production was born from that, but thankfully had the script was completely overhauled. We had wonderful cheap seats (YAY for rush tickets once again!) and enjoyed a mirror ball filled ninety minute show full of laughs, disco moves, roller skates and a very over the top yet somewhat accurate Australian accent (hahaha). Oh and we were lucky enough to catch the show while comedian Whoopi Goldberg has joined the cast for a six week stint. She was hilarious and her comedic background really shone right through!

Earlier in the day, accompanied by Danni Lam, I went down to midtown to Red Rocket Tattoo where Betty Rose helped me with my token memory to take away from this truly life changing experience in New York. Almost two hours later and just wouldn't you know it, just like the city, Betty blew away any expectations I might have had about how the tattoo would turn out. It is truly a work of art and I am so happy that I made sure to get it done before leaving! Stayed tuned for pics once it has healed up.

Hello Janice!

While minding my own business today in Soho, running errands for Karen Walker's upcoming runway show at New York fashion week, who should I pass but none other than the self-proclaimed first supermodel JANICE DICKINSON! The model turned fashion photographer, actress, author and agent was looking very good for her age, although it was very apparent that she had had work done ;-)
And would you know it, she flashed me a smile as I passed. I must say this is probably the first time I have been a little starstruck upon passing Janice today!

McCarren Park Pool Sunday

The last sunday of summer of free concerts at McCarren Park and what a way to end it! The sun was shining, the weather was just perfect, and there we were in Williamsburg soaking it all up. Topshop provided some great little freebies and the musicians on stage gave us a great mellow relaxing sunday vibe to chill out to and enjoy. The highlight of the afternoon was definitely Yo La Tengo, whose summer tunes just hit the right spot! Athough they thought it appropriate to dabble into some of their other genres which included heavy rock which burned the ear drums, overall it was the perfect way to laze in the sun on such a beautiful day.

HAIR

It is great to be in New York in the summertime as they really go all out to to make the most of the weather.
Last night Ruthie and I checked out 70's broadway hit HAIR at the Shakespeare outdoor theatre in Central Park. FOR FREE! Although Ruthie did start lining up for the tickets at 6am! Thats dedication, and we were definitely not disappointed!
The show was great and the performances by the cast were top notch broadway worthy!
Man I am spoilt here in New York!

View from the top....

Thanks to my great new friend Drew, I have a place to stay now that Dane and Danni have returned to New York city. Its a really neat place on the upper west side, and just check out the view!!!

Isacc Mizrahi

Because of disorganisation in the Malandrino camp, Barbara has offered me a spot at the Isaac Mizrahi show!
WOOT WOOT!!!!
Isaac is a well known New York designer who has done everything from television and movie appearances (sex & the city!), to theatre, to successful diffusion lines for Target and high end couture.

http://www.isaacmizrahiny.com/

Moonstruck

A brisk (very uncommon for August in New York!) Friday evening Ruthie and I decided to once again head to Central Park for a free cinema experience. Last time it was Staten Island, this time it was the borough of Brooklyn on the big screen, with another 80's gem, Moonstruck starring Cher and Nicholas Cage. Great movie, full of laughs and things to make you ponder on.

My fairy godmother

I thought it about time that you all get to put a face to the name. This wonderful lady, Barbara B, who has just been so kind and helpful in giving me such fantastic opportunities here in New York. Although me experiences here have been amazing, Barbara has certainly helped them to skyrocket beyond any expectations! Apart from the menswear shows, fashion week, the Ishii photo shoot, and front of house work at Behnaz, Barbara this week has given me some advice on working in the industry over here as I am most definitely considering it as an option. In fact, she has put me in touch directly with a fashion PR/marketing company that have a vacancy!!!! Who knows if anything will come of it, but its just another thing to thank Ms Barbara for!!!

Front of house

Thanks to another opportunity brought to me by the wonderful Barbara B, I will be working front of house at the runway show of young New York designer Behnaz Sarafpour. I will be working with my friend Allison who interns at Wise & Co PR!

http://behnazsarafpour.com/

Welcome back

Welcome back welcome back welcome back! Dane and Danni Lam, the happily freshly married friends of mine return to New York looking stunning and super excited to be back (who wouldn't!!). It is so great to see them so happy and in love. We went to a Japanese restaurant just around the corner and had delicious sushi. New Yorkers definitely know a thing or two about sushi....

Cinema in Central Park

Celebrating 100 years of cinema in Central Park, last night I went along with Ken, Ruthie and Tammi to catch a classic 80's hit, set in New York City and Staten Island, WORKING GIRL with Melanie Griffith, Harrison Ford and Sigourney Weaver.
The beauty of the park made a wonderful backdrop for some 80's gold, and the weather had just a slight chill to it with added to the atmosphere.