You Speak PRADA?

So KW surprised me mid-week with an invite to the Prada event at the Soho store!

I was KWs plus one! HILARIOUS!

It was a very low key event, with mojitos and fancy finger foods. The attendees all seemed to be famous (ala socialites), but neither myself nor KW could identify any of them.

The newest offerings from PRADA were beautiful and eclectic. Loved it!

What a nice change to usual Friday night drinks!

Reunion!

Another fantastic thing about being back in this wonderful city, is catching up with all the great friends I made last year!

On Friday night I was reunited with Stephanie and Hannah, two fantastic girls that I met at the summer courses I took at F.I.T

We had such great times together last year with all the backstage work we did at Menswear fashion week and NYFW, not to mention the after parties, the tents, the shopping.

We dined at my FAVOURITE little Hells Kitchen restaurant from last time, The Eatery. The meals were excellent as usual, the service and vibe of the place top notch, and the conversation never ceased!

x

Production Week

Well, I finally have a spare moment to post to my blog....but only a moment mind you. I am working the Preen and Erin Fetherston shows this freezing cold Sunday!

This season working with KW I was given a lot more responsibility and was the main assistant I guess. What did I actually do you ask?

First thing Monday morning I arrived at the apartment and moved everything around into our usual set up, maximising the space we have. Then I get to check out the entire collection (it is amazing btw!) while unpacking it and getting it ready for when the show stylist arrives, HMJ, who will go through and pull pieces to create the thirty looks for the show.

I assisted with model casting and fittings. That involves seeing about fifty models in two days, seeing them walk, polaroiding them, and then if HMJ the stylist for the show & KW think the girl has the right look then I get them into some outfits and they walk, polaroid and look hot in KW clothing!

Then we go through the process of trying to secure a model and having options on them and firsts and backups. It is all very involved and casting agents and model agencies are tough to work with!

Once looks, models, shoes, accessories and running order is all confirmed, there are further logistical nightmares to get through (this season 8 hats, 25 looks wearing hats!)

BUT, the pre-show production side of a runway show is so much fun, very relaxed but involving a strong work ethic.

x

Back again

At last. It seems like a fantastic dream!
Man I am lucky. Stepping onto the sidewalk of some Manhattan street
and I feel strangley like I am home!

My weekend was amazing. A quick refresher and out to dinner at Vinyl
in Hells Kitchen with Drew. The turkey meatloaf, and many cocktails,
delish!
Then onto Diva in Soho, a quaint little bar that had a kick ass DJ
spinning the beats.
Saturday night ended at a egyptian club on the lower east see, that
was a little odd and out of place but fun none the less.

Sunday is BRUNCH day here in NY. Hannah and I caught up over Fried
Chicken and Momosas at Viceroy in Chelsea.

This was followed by a stroll through the west village, and especially
Bleecker where Marc J rules the roost.

Coffee in the East Village with Alison from the PR firm I will be
working with this season. She was lovely and I cannot wait to work
with the team on Rodarte and others.

Dinner at the Lams, a lovely roast and many many hours of catching up
were enjoyed by all.

Amazing weekend

x

At Last...

Well 20+ hours of travelling and I have arrived!
A short stop over in La La Land, where the airport was STILL under
refurbishment and then onto New York, where I enjoyed a nearly empty
plane which meant finally catching some zzzzz's.
It's a brisk six degrees outside and I am glad to be in the warm cab.

x

Jetsetter

The excitement is overwhelming. The butterflies in my stomach will
just not quit. One last stop for some real coffee at Bourke St Bakery
before I endure the land of the filter coffee.
Sitting in the departure lounge, waiting to board my flight, who
should come on over the airwaves but Donna Summer "I Feel Love". A
strange coincidence considering that the song immediately takes the
mind back to working my favourite runway show at Fashion Week in
September!

x

Gloom Be Gone

One had to ponder whether the brutally cold winter, and the economic climate of the moment, had set in the grey clouds over Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

But gloom be gone, someone has put on smile, and has been reminded that even through tough times we all need to be stepping out in something new, something innovative, a twist of times past.

This week the bland and lifeless website received its long awaited make-over, all ready to strut down that cat walk to excite and titillate its lucky audiences.

All devotees of the fashion realms MUST hop along to http://mbfashionweek.com/newyork/

One Week ^_^

The packing has begun, the thermals have been purchased, the Topshop order has been dispatched and I am ready to rock n roll!

Gaining another chance to work alongside New Zealand sensation Karen Walker, through pre-production of her Autumn/Winter show (I've heard about the inspirations behind this collection and cannot wait to see how it is translated into design) brings a smile to the dial.

Not to mention this seasons line-up of big name clients for backstage dressing work, thanks to my fairy godmother for life, BB.

Hell even the bitterly cold weather that awaits me will not get this fashionista down.

See you in a week New York!

x

3.1 Phillip Lim

Hark back to your childhood, and remember Winnie the Pooh's exuberant friend Tigger. You may well have found similarities between he and I this afternoon.

Because upon hearing that I was working Phillip Lim's show, I was bouncing up and down on the hardwood floors in excitement and joy!

Phillip Lim is probably one of my favourite American designer at the moment, whose small collection of pieces I returned from New York with continually get comments on each time I step out in them.

His knack is for giving accessible, wearable clothes that little something extra: A khaki trench might get military epaulets, a silk blouse might sport an oversize self-tie below the chin.

Showing at the Tents at Bryat Parks, my only dilemma is how to work his fantastic Tatami collaboration sandals into a cohesive winter look!

http://www.31philliplim.com/

DVF

Iconic is sometimes an overused adjective in the fashion world.

After blitzing the fashion scene in the early seventies, with her hallmark wrap dress, and then once again in the late ninties, Diane von Fürstenberg is TRULY an icon of American fashion.

The DVF look is one of the most clearly defined, recognizable—anywhere in the shopping world. Diane projects an elegance and sureness of vision that makes her, still, the best image with which to market her own brand.
I cannot believe my luck. Working backstage with BB's team at this show, is bound to be a highlight of my Fall NYFW. And who knows, I might see Whitney backstage too....can anyone same cameo appearance on The City!



http://www.dvf.com/

Issac Mizrahi

Last season at the Hammerstein Ballroom, Isaac Mizrahi opted for a full orchestra over a recorded soundtrack to compliment his extravagant and beautiful collection.

Bright, summery, and sometimes neon bodysuits, camisoles and tank tops were the pop effect under sheer fabric muted garments.

A truly amazing experience, to assist one of America's top designers, that in the past had taken a tumble, but was now back at his brilliant best.

I cannot wait to see what he brings to the runway this Fall, and in a different venue, the iconic (where Carrie almost gets wed) New York Public Library.

http://www.isaacmizrahiny.com/

Erin Wasson x RVCA

She has graced the covers of numerous fashion magazines, including French, German, Spanish and Australian Vogue, Flair, Numero, Allure, Esquire and Elle, and walked international runways for notable designers like Armani, Balenciaga, Cavalli, Gucci, and Karl Lagerfeld.

Erin Wasson also plays stylist and muse to CFDA/Vogue Award-winning designer Alexander Wang. Last year launched her own jewellery line called LowLuv.

And now in 2009 Erin Wasson is launching a womenswear collection - Erin Wasson x RVCA - in collaboration with surf and skate lifestyle brand RVCA.

I cannot wait to work with this talented supermodel, and her PR firm Black Frame.

http://www.rvca.com/advocates/?cat=6

Alexandre Herchcovitch

After missing out on working backstage at his show last season.........as I was helping out Karen Walker with taking the collection back to her apartment....and then exploring the many mixers that go superbly with 42 Below Vodka, I had to say YES to BB this season.

Brazilian born Alexandre is a designer who is able to transform classic into modern, simple into glamourous, easy into complex. Best known for avant-garde designs and eclectic prints, his trademark skulls became an icon of Brazilan youth in the nineties. Changing the way the world thinks about Brazilian fashion, coupled with his new Japanese store and concessions in New York, Herchcovitch is fast becoming a big and serious name in the fashion world.

http://herchcovitch.uol.com.br/index_en.html

Libertine

"Arty-punk but still sophisticated sportswear fashioned from vintage clothes and customized with silk-screening" - that is how the designs of Libertine are described.

Another PR / Event production opportunity through Black Frame, I will be assisting them with Libertine's presentation (a more intimate runway show).

Although the collection was only started in September 2001, and neither of the duo studied fashion design, it’s been influential enough that Karl Lagerfeld has made it a mainstay of his wardrobe. Rock stars like Mick Jagger, Michael Stipe, and Dave Navarro like it, as do Brad Pitt, Liv Tyler, and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Brian Reyes

Last season I worked backstage with BB's for the Brian Reyes show, and decided it was another name that needed to added to my wrap sheet for Autumn/Winter fashion week.

His collection last season was so beautiful, clean close cut silhouettes with volume-adding pieces, that were right on the money. Inspired by the extreme landscapes of Death Valley and Ethiopia, the colour palette was quite literal in the interpretation. The navy beaded closing pieces were by far my favourite, with my model, up-and-comer, Sessilee Lopez rocking it!

http://brianreyes.com/

Rodarte

Last year leading up to the start of what would be come a life-changing experience, Rodarte was an American label that I had approached to intern with.

Everything went my way, and I was offered an internship with them, but then realised that they were not based in NYC but LA! BUGGER!

On my return visit I decided to get in touch with them, as well as their New York based PR firm to see if they might like some help. BINGO!

RODARTE are sisters, Kate and Laura Mulleavy, and only founded the label as recently as the fall of 2005. After an initial collection of 10 pieces in New York City, the founders appeared on the cover of WWD, and had a meeting with Anna Wintour. Since then, the sisters have been riding a wave of success, picking up many awards and accolades.

I will be assisting with PR / Event Production for Rodarte and their PR firm Black Frame, for both the runway show and also the AFTER PARTY!

http://www.rodarte.net/

Erin Fetherston

Upon receiving the email from BB regarding working backstage for Erin Fetherston, my heart let out a smile and a wave of a happy dance came over me.

I had recently seen her on one of my favourite new shows for summer, The Rachel Zoe Project, as well as in a fashion documentary.

The American designer, who studied at Parsons in France, recently moved her business from Paris to New York, and has only shown at Bryant Park for the last two seasons.

Erin received the prestigious Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation award for emerging designers in 2007.

That same year, Fetherston was also named a finalist in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award.

http://www.erinfetherston.com/

PREEN

After working backstage for husband wife designers Justin Thornton & Thea Bregazzi , and seeing first hand some brilliant british innovation, I had to sign up to work with Preen again this season.

Not to mention getting the opportunity to walk the runway with all the supermodels during the brits meticulous timing of the entire show! Fingers crossed we all get to VOGUE it again this time around hahahaha.

x

http://www.preen.eu/

Its ON like DONKEY KONG!

It was always an aim to get back, but a slowing economy, slumping exchange rate and struggle to secure work in a new Australian city made the dream seem just that, an impossible dream.

But fear not. The planets have aligned. The horoscopes for 2009 were accurate. The cosmos is looking out for me, and so it seems that everything truly does happen for a reason.

On February 7th, 2009, I will be boarding a Qantas flight bound for the city that I fell in love with, that confirmed my goals and desires for the future, and gave me a once in a lifetime experience that reshaped the very person I was.

A million thank yous go out to Australasia's most successful designer, New Zealander Karen Walker, and PR legend Paul Maloney, for making dreams come true!

I will be working for KW again through pre-production of her Fall 2009 runway show at New York Fashion Week.

Following that I will be working New York Fashion Week backstage with the marvellous BB and her fantastic team as a dresser. Not to mention gigs with GQ and Behnaz Sarafpour thus far.

I cannot wait to revisit one of THE most vibrant and exciting cities in the world. Not to mention the friends that reside on its streets!

Look out New York, I'm coming back!

x

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!