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

Sunday Shows

Due to the signing of a non-disclosure agreement, I am not allowed to discuss events that may have occurred behind the scenes whilst employed by the backstage company I worked for.

Sunday, bright eyed, bushy tailed and coffee infused to reduce the hangover, I headed back to the Altman to work the PREEN show, the talented british duo.

Some down time in between shows, I decided to head to Chinatown and meet some Australian friends for a spot of Yum Cha! And boy was it just the ticket to get rid of any hint of a hangover! We could not resist stopping in at the famous Ice Cream factory for two scoops of mouth watering goodness, despite the plummeting temperatures outside.

Many more coffee infusions later and we were off to Bryant Park, for my first Promenade tent show of the season, the young cute and quirky American designer of the moment, Erin Fetherston.

And to complete this exceptional Sunday, I headed to VANDAM, a kooky club night every Sunday at the Greenhouse with some NY friends...and had another amazing night in the city that never sleeps...

After Party

The Soho Grand set the stage this season's AFTER PARTY. All that hard work, the many hours that went into arriving at this moment.....time to let down the hair, indulge in many a 42 below delight, and be proud of our acomplishments. Unfortunately we opted to indulge in one too many a 42 below, and our night ended a little earlier than planned. At least for some, a valentines kiss was not missed out on ;-)

Second Row!

A quick hussle downtown to drop off the full collection, and then, thanks to a very generous HMJ, I was off to to the Alexander Wang runway show!

I arrived at the Roseland Ballroom in midtown to a very long queue before me, and thanks to my golden ticket of sorts, I was able to breeze on through and into the lobby.

Being Valentines Day, Wang opted for a cocktail that paid tribute to this most romantic of nights. I couldn't get enough of the pink concoction that somehow managed to get chocolate into the mix while still retaining its raspberry appeal!

The buzz and atmosphere in the low lit ballroom was exhilarating! After being ushered to my seat....second row...SCORE! Thanks HMJ....I was fixated on Anna Wintour, looking ravishing, not a hair out of place, free of her usual optical armour, laughing in hysterics with her guest on her right! Somehow I managed to miss other guests such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Roisin Murphy and Santogold!

The show was fabulous, Wang had certainly taken it to the next level as a designer in my mind. Taking my two winter favourites and creating the perfect marriage of fur and leather was astounding.

She's Cracked

*** A little late, but I decided I had to document my second trip if only for my own records ***

Cupid move over, February 14th was KW's day this year!

We were all set, organised and ready to depart for the Altman building, but one can never be too prepared leading up to show time.
And then the heavens opened and the rain came down. EXCELLENT.

On arrival to the Altman Building, all-be-it a little wet around the gills, after setting up all the racks and looks, it was time to do the rounds.

Being my first show of the season, it was time to catch up with all my friends and aquaintences from last year!
Backstage dressing team, hair & make up, casting agents and public relations were all given the bluest of eyes and sweetest of smiles with a how do you do.

All right, I'm ready for my close up Mister Demille! Of sorts. One of the production team interns had won an amazing prize in New Zealand, and so one of the breakfast shows were doing a puff piece. A short & witty interview later and it was back to the task at hand.

The lights went down, music ripped into action, and Daul Kim opened the show working it down the runway! The show went off without a hitch, the stunning collection being well received by its audience, which included many top publications and avid followers of this New Zealand designer.

"She's "Cracked." That was the theme of Karen Walker's show, which had its beginnings in the designer's decade-deep archive, from which she unearthed a favorite print of a broken strand of pearls. "We love the beauty that comes out of catastrophe," said Walker backstage, "and the brittle nature of things."

The first look out was anything but broken-down: a quite pulled-together square-shouldered and square-bodied trench over black cigarette pants, punctuated by lipstick-red patent pumps. Soon enough, though, the fissures began to appear—in the crackled leather of a black motorcycle jacket, the breakaway flaps on jersey tops that hung below boxy jackets, and Walker's charming graphics (including the resurrected pearls and a colorful new shattered-china-plate print).

She tempered her gone-to-pieces motif with strong and simple silhouettes and, right on trend, paid close attention to the shoulder with a princess sleeve on steroids that appeared on cute sweatshirt dresses and built up in petal-like layers on smart little shifts. It was a strong collection with loads of sellable yet quirky separates. And, frankly, is there a better time for fashion that celebrates the beauty that can blossom after things fall apart?" - Style.com

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/