Monday, February 28, 2011

This is what Fashion Week NYC 2011 feels like. One word summation: amazing.

It is going to be difficult to adequately describe what I experienced at Fashion Week. Amazing is a decent start but really underestimates it. Imagine yourself in a movie, a really fabulous movie filled with some of the most beautiful clothes you have ever seen. It had people moving at high speeds, media and photographers 10 deep at certain points, a litany of very nice people and of course, very well known people in the industry. Sprinkle this with runway music that basically rocked me out of my seat and this was my experience.

Despite the brisk temps of NYC, I was prepared to be warm and prepared to take it all in. I go to NYC every year but I was but a mere neophyte at Fashion Week. JohnnyMac went to NYC with me but took a giant hall pass on attending any of the shows. Unlike my sassy nature might predict, I know precisely when to listen and observe. So much of it was new, I wanted to watch and learn. And there is so much to tell but I am going to break it down to my favorite experiences while there.

One of my favorite events was at Milk Studios in the Meatpacking district. During FashionWeek, MAC Cosmetics partners with Milk to showcase emerging designers. Thanks to my husband, the VIP status made for great seats and fantastic handling. I saw the Cushnie et Ochs show and it was fantastic. I am a big fan of their sleek, sexy and slightly edgy clothes. And the clothes I saw on other guests were just as fantastic. After the show, I met the designers, Carlie Cushnie and Michelle Ochs. They are both savvy, talented and lovely.

I also got a  little styling session which was also very cool. And then I went upstairs. The entire 8th floor was a private party that was in.cred.i.ble. The 8th floor is giant and every giant room held different designers, different cocktails and different presentations including this one from Duro Olowu. I lingered in and out of the VIP lounge and got to meet the Beauty Editor of Marie Claire who was so grounded, so cute, and so approachable. She is also very bright and gracious with conversation and the questions being posed to her.



I mingled, chatted and sipped delicious cocktails. On my way out, I was given not one but two gift bags, one of them from MAC filled with full-size MAC products. Really?  LOVE IT! 

The next day was spent at Lincoln Center; the hub of Fashion Week. After moving from Bryant Park last year, Lincoln Center is a fashion lover's dream come true during this week. Lights, camera, action is a totally apropos phrase.

The hub inside Lincoln Center is something to behold. There were endless big vendors passing out samples from Pepsi's new skinny can to Essie signing up people for manicures in their hottest nail hues. (Essie, the founder was there as well and she has to be 70 and is beautiful!.) I checked in and was immediately surrounded by style like I have never seen it. I saw everything from couture to knee high socks, ankle boots and short shorts. Everyone I met projected their own style and were very much looking at the other guests with admiration and not a shred of cattiness. I personally admired how people projected not only their style but confidence. And it showed.

When I sat down for the Carolina Herrera show I was quite giddy. I did a fundraiser with Saks two years ago and Carolina Herrera was the designer. Her clothes are GORGEOUS. I was texting a friend and look up to see straight across from me Anna Wintour. The woman next to me pointed out she did not have her sunglasses on and two seconds later, she slid them on and didn't make a single facial expression the entire time.

A few seats down was Oscar de la Renta looking totally chic, totally dapper. And when a huge paparazzi hubbub exploded, and what seemed like about 100+ photographers were moving in a pack surrounding someone, the crowd parted and the gorgeous Christina Hendricks sat down across from us as well. She is stunning and was clearly a hit at the show. Gabrielle Union sat next to her and she looked gorgeous too. LOVED her dress. No, I did not talk to any of them. But, I did use my phone to casually snap a photo (clearly with no flash) but also without looking at it which explains the bad focus.

The clothes were so fab. Here are just two items I loved from the show. The music, the clothes, and the talented Ms. Herrera herself made this show another favorite.




Afterward, I had the pleasure of meeting Joe Zee. He is the Creative Director and #2 in charge at Elle Magazine. He was probably my favorite person I met during the entire trip. He is so down to earth and charismatic. I loved talking to him. I asked him the number one trend he would like to see disappear. His answer: Harem Pants. AMEN! (Ironically, the next designer's show I went to featured multiple models in harem pants.) He also said fashion should not be focused on, "This girls looks good. That girl looks bad," but about the style elements available and how women can wear them to their own individual taste.

Big highlight of the day: Joe Zee told me he loved my outfit, especially my jacket. After he started chatting with someone else, the guy next to me leaned over and whispered, "That is Facebook status update worthy." haha. I will freely admit, having Joe Zee say he loves your outfit is pretty fantastic. AND totally justified the purchase of every. single. piece. I will say, I was wearing my favorite black tuxedo jacket JMac gave me and a pair of leather leggings inspired by an outfit I saw the night before.Oh, and some crazy shoes I love from BCBG.

After hours of fun and play, I took a break and to meet JMac for lunch. Upon leaving, I was given this: The most amazing swag bag I have ever been handed. I wasn't prepared for the heavy duty and thought my arm would pull from the socket. The woman told me it weighed about 15 pounds. Full of all kinds of Fashion Week love...and love it I did. I am still pouring over things in that bag ranging from a fab red acrylic tumbler to nail polish, hair products, a notebook, travel mug etc, canvas tote bags, lotion etc etc etc. Dear Fashion Week, THANK YOU for basically giving me a present for coming to this fantastic event.

All in all...amazing. And I definitely will go back but perhaps in September with a bit warmer weather. We rounded out the rest of the trip with great dinners and great wine. Which I earned because I worked out every day I was there!  And I love that not only did my husband: 1. surprise me. 2. plan an incredible trip. 3. go with me even though NYC is not his favorite weekend destination 4. support the inspiration to shop. Oh, I shopped. I actually took an empty suitcase with us. Not empty on the return. 5. concur we need to come back for Fashion Week again but most importantly, 6. He let me really, really enjoy the whole experience fully. Which I was and am so grateful for, I sent him a thank you note. 

26 comments:

Kir said...

I seriously couldn't be more jealous!!! Thank u for the sneak peak and of course u looked amazing!!!!
You are always. Facebook worthy!!!!
Xo

The Savage said...

And you, my dear Jenny Mac, were(are) the hottest gal at the show...

Unknown said...

How amazing, what a great time you had!!! I love Joe Zee too, how cool to meet him...glad to hear he is so nice in person too :)

the walking man said...

So how did MiniMac like his "I ♥ NY" T shirt?

Did you make it to the blue jeans and orthopedic shoes runway? That's where I was. Sorry you missed it we all got drunk on cheap gin and molded new inserts for our shoes, the gift bag was just stuffed with plastic pill sorters and discount coupons for Metamucil. Great stuff!

Simply Suthern said...

Sounds like a good time. I went to a trade show with all brand nicky new machining centers. That aint quite the same tho is it?

My daughters girlfriend is in fashion school in NY and is interning at Elle Magazine.

Herding Cats said...

Now THAT is a weekend! Love it. So jealous, but also so thrilled for you!

Chain Stitch Crochet said...

LOL...The Walking Man is funny.

Thanks for sharing. It totally looks like you had a wonderful time! A girl needs that every now and then. :o)

Ed said...

You look great.

You probably still have that bigass smile on your face too, don't ya?

Marcy said...

That sounds A-mazing. How do you even get into shows like that? JMAC is the dream-maker. Nice work...

Can't wait to see the swag in person sometime. Love you!

Unknown said...

Sounds like a totally wonderful time. Thanks for letting us enjoy it vicariously with you!

KittyCat said...

How exciting! Im so glad you shared photos.
I could never see myself at someplace like that and fitting in. You are so beautiful.

Thanks for sharing

: )

Kristina P. said...

I know Joe from The City on MTV. Yes, I watch shows for 20 year-olds.

I'm sure Christina Hendricks is probably tiny in real life, even though everyone talks about how she's fat. Give me a break.

Jen said...

What a sweet husband, and a great recap, JennyMac!

brokenteepee said...

I'm glad you had so much fun. Husbands can be masters at wish fulfillment.

MommyLisa said...

Totally Amazing. Very glad you got to enjoy that!

Caty said...

Sounds like an awesome experience...I have to say I'm a little jealous ;)

Anonymous said...

So... you had a good time, then? ;)

Maria said...

Lucky duck! Fabulous pictures and recap...way to score the freebies, girl! Makes me want to go and do something carefree and TOTALLY girly now...(sigh)

I am so glad you had a great time!

SmartBear said...

So glad you had a great time but I am so freaking jealous!
Best,
Tina

Susan said...

My gosh!! That was no lightweight trip! I would have been so excited to see Christina Hendricks, she's gorgeous.

Carma Sez said...

How kind that your lovely husband arranged all this and that you had a fab time :-)

and that you got compliment by a designer is icing on the cake!

Elz said...

Oh Lord, so JEALOUS. Sounds amazing. Someday I will go to Fashion Week. Oh man...

HalfAsstic.com said...

OMG! I LOVE that you sent JohnnyMac a thank you note!
And through the majority of your, very descriptive, post I was wondering what on earth you were wearing to that particular shindig and how on earth you decide upon it. Was SOOOO gratified to read that you were commended for your outfit! That? would have been one of the WORST things for me! Trying to find the right thing to wear and feeling confident about it!
Leave it to you, JennyMac! ;-)
So glad you had such a wonderful time! Your husband is a doll!

Intense Guy said...

I love that female super model posing with Joe Zee. Yummy!

:)

Sounds like you had a blast and your hubby is one of kind!

Scrappy Girl said...

Wow.

I don't know what more to say except that I need to go check the mirror cause I know I must be GREEN!

Myya said...

Your swag bags sounds amazing... ahhh that sounds like the most awesome weekend ever!!!

Oh & I BET JMac got one hell of a Thank you :)