My experience with Fashion Week...

Like the uncountable number of other bloggers that weren't invited to Fashion Week this year, even though they really really wish they were, I stand in that crowd too. But I was not going to let that stop me from at least going to Bryant Park to snap some pictures for this blog, therefore, I hopped on over to 42nd street two Saturday's ago (in the midst of it all) to see what I could see. It was about half way into a show, (even though I was unaware of who was walking the runway), that didn't bother me because all I wanted was to snap some shots at the commotion and the outside tent (that's all I thought I could do.) Anyway, upon arrival I met a huge crowd of people all thinking the same thing as me, "why don't I go down to the tents just to see what it is like, no body else will be there...right?" Well, actually, I was wrong, and it made it a little harder to take photographs as I had hoped. But anyway, once I got some of the outside and of the crowd, I thought that I might as well head home. Until, I saw a little path off to the left of the tent, where not too many people were coming in and out of, so I decided to follow it to the side of the tents.

Here, I met silence. It seemed as though all the noise from people had died down in the matter of seconds. So I started to walk along the side of the tent, and there were two entrances that lead into the tent itself, but there were numerous people smoking outside each entrance, and I didn't really know what to do. So I waited and talked to myself saying, "oh please, just waltz on in and act professional," and then I would tell myself, "you know this is Fashion Week, you can't just do this and act like it's nothing." Oh dear! What to do, what to do? Well, I was still eager to see what was beyond the thin outer layer of the tent, as music boomed through the seams and people from the fashion industry strolled in and out. So finally, one entrance was clear, and once I approached it, a small sign read "Prabal Gurung." I had never heard of him before, and didn't exactly know what it meant until later I found out that he was a blossoming designer. Anyway, I walk through the doors of the tent and meet a desk with two ladies there checking people in, and then two long strips of heavy black cloth with a large opening in the middle, so that you could easily see beyond into back stage. Models with hair pinned ever so perfectly above their head were being talked to and had cameras snapping in their faces as lights flickered along side the camera men. There was a little mini-fridge with Starbucks frapuccino's in them and about 2o people walking and talking casually, while men and women ran about frantically making sure that everything was going as planned.

I am not exactly sure what location I was in, in relation to the runway, but all I know is that it was a sight to see. But hold up, no I wasn't past the black cloth, but since there was such a large space between the panals, that is how I could see through. The ladies at the black desk looked at me every so often, probably thinking "What is she doing here? And why is she staring so intently at everything?" But I was happy that they didn't ask me any questions or make me leave. I must have stood there for about fifteen minutes just staring at the scene, but was never able to build up my courage to ask if I could get a little further. So I excited and took a deep breath. Then a man with a headset was about to enter as I was still standing outside the door, and I asked him if I could take pictures for my blog thinking that he would respond with a chuckle and move on, but instead he said very politely, "only if you have a letter from the designer or an invitation to the show," but sadly I had neither, so I thanked him and couldn't do much else but leave.

When I left the tent and entered the fresh air, about three models were smoking with men that you could just tell were all about fashion. To my right, a man with robot like glasses was modeling for a camera man, and to my left models were marching my way as they were headed toward the tents.

It was quite a scene, if only I had stayed long enough to see the attendees exiting, that would have been something to write about. But anyhow, it was an adventure, and though I was nervous as ever and burning up under my coat, I felt as though that was where I belonged.

-Sj

Thank you Lf

A few weeks ago I received an email from Lf, saying I was invited to the private sale starting up that friday! I was absolutely ecstatic! Even though I knew it would be madness, I still couldn't say no. Therefore, I grabbed my pink berry (of course) that friday after school and hopped on over to LF on 19th and 5th avenue. The store was absolutely pandemonium! I don't know if I have ever seen so many people crammed into one store, such long lines in such a small store, and such HUGE heaps of clothing being anxiously scavenged through by frantic women. But oh well, I quickly joined in myself.

"You have got to pick that up," "Oh my gosh, I have always wanted one of these!" and "yesss, beautiful and on sale" - all these thoughts rang through my head as I stomped around the store. The only problems were: 1. since there were so many people, you couldn't put your stuff down and then go pick something up and then come back, trust me it would all be gone, knocked on the floor, or being picked through by someone. 2. There is no where to put a heavy school bag down and a long winter jacket, therefore, I was sweating like a mad man. 3. its hopeless trying to make your way to the fitting room because whenever you think you have found all you want to try on, oh no you didn't, there will always be something that catches your eye, or a (really nice) sales person that brings stuff up to you saying, "I've been looking at what you have been picking out, and totally thought you would like this..." 4. The lines are horrendous. Especially since it was the private sale and what seemed like all the women in Manhattan are in the store, are all lined up to try things on. At least a half an hour wait for the fitting room, and then another half an hour for check out. Or, you can just try things on right in the middle of the store, but I find that kind of strange. Oh well, suit yourself.

But don't get me wrong, the only sale of the season is fantastic, and you always know you can find something. My only advice is get there right as it opens, beat the crowd and the madness, and it will be a much more pleasant event.

I think I must have tried on maybe twenty some things, and I looked ridiculous with my coat and bag strapped across me with a huge mound of "stuff" plopped in my hands. I thought my arms would break off, it was all so heavy. I ended up leaving the store with only three items, but that is only because I plan to go back with my sister because it is always more fun shopping with someone else rather than by yourself. Right?

Item #1: Fur Vest

Item #2: Lacy Cardigan

Item #3: Tulle Skirt

Oh, and at the very end of the sale is when everything gets marked down really low. No I do not know when the end of the sale is, but it will probably be in a while because they get new stuff almost everyday for some time, and they just keep on marking it down.

Sadly Lf is only located in NYC, Cambridge, Miami Beach and Los Angeles, so I do apologize if you have read this post with some hope inside, and then kaput realize that it is not close to you. I do apologize for that.

-Sj

p.s. I have been away this weekend on Ski Trip with School up in Vermont so that is why this post is coming so late.

RIP McQueen

Though this post is coming about four days late and I am probably the last blogger in the US who has blogged about this, this post is completely dedicated to Lee Alexander McQueen who passed away last thursday morning in his London home. I am taking a fashion design class at Parsons: The New School, and our homework the other night was to research a designer and look at what their design mission is and to see if they portray that in their collections. In light of Alexander McQueen's death, and considering I did not know too much about him, I decided to research him...

photocred: Rathaus

Lee Alexander McQueen

1969-2010

Lee Alexander McQueen was born in London and came from a very modest background. His Father was a taxi driver, and his mother was a social science teacher. His father wanted him to be an electrician or a plumber, but Lee always knew he wanted to work in the fashion industry. At age 16, McQueen decided to devote his life to fashion. He dropped out of school and became a trainee at Savile Row Tailors. This experience gave him the opportunity to work on his technical skills and tailoring which is what he is greatly known for. McQueen had an interest in futuristic tones, which he incorporated in his designs as well as soft draping and molding. He found great inspiration in technology and: “just months ago he was fantasizing to the NYTimes about holograms that would allow anyone anywhere to see his collections in three dimension.”

He liked to alter the shape of the body using corsets and reoccurring breastplate shapes. “He was famous for razor-sharp tailoring,” and in most, if not all of his collections he incorporated a dark side or gothic look but also very detailed and colorful pieces. When he worked on a line, he always followed one theme, usually something very extravagant though, such as portraying numerous elements of nature. In fall of 2009 he reacted the recession by exaggerating versions of all his past work on the runway, accented with props that looked like garbage piles from previous sets. Here, he wanted to portray fashion in ruins. In October of 1993, models walked the runway with their middle fingers pointing outwards and their dresses were hand-printed in the design of blood. In March of 1995, models walked the runway looking as though they had been beaten, wearing lacy dresses with hems and bodices riped open, and their hair in tangles and their eyes blanked out with contacts. Finally, his last show in October 2009, models wore platform heels that looked like aliens, sea-creatures and the hulls of ships. McQueen was always very creative and intelligent and “he felt that the buttons of fashion had to be pushed,” and throughout his work, we can easily see that he strived to do so.

You will be missed McQueen.

-Sj

Safari

I know, I know. It is not summer time (as we are expecting 12-18 inches of snow on tuesday night (crossing fingers)) but a few weekends ago, I went down to the 23rd street flea market, where all these fabulous people bring out vintage and contemporary, one of a kind pieces. The flea market is in a huge parking lot, and has two floors jammed with a very large variety of things. It was the first time I had ever been there, and instantly my eyes were caught by the attention of fur vest, sequined dresses, and intensely detailed wedding gowns. The thing I liked about it was that each little booth was different, and it seemed like every seller really knew one another....but anyway, I came across a stall that had one long rack of an assortment of clothing, and several baskets for mens wear. It was probably the fifteenth stall I had popped in to, and along the rack I saw a cozy knee-length Vera Wang knit sweater, a stunning sequined dress, and this skirt...

Sienna Studio skirt. Worn with my mothers wrap around belt from Hong Kong, and my Aunts hand-me-down blouse from the D.R.

This skirt was huge when I found it, so I got it taken in, but I guess this taught me not to always look at sizes when I am in a vintage shop or second hand store, because those are the kinds of things that you will never find again, so might as well pay to get it hemmed or taken in. BUT, I must say that the man who sold the skirt sold it to me for twenty dollars. Yes, twenty dollars. It has never been worn before, and it still had the tag, I couldn't help but purchase it! While the skirt does make me look older, that does not bug me because if this were last year, I would have turned my nose up to that skirt, but now, I am into the longer hemmed skirts more than minis.

This post is named Safari, because doesn't this outfit remind you of a collection Ralph Lauren would do for a safari? All you need is a little old material wrapped around your head, and some heals, and you are set. Although this outfit would be rather impractical for a safari, because the skirt is rather difficult to walk in. Oh well. Maybe Ralph and I could get together and design a Safari line (in my dreams).

-Sj

Fitted with a Flare

Sometimes, when people ask me what my favorite store is I get very frustrated, because I simply don't know what to say. Yes, I know what you are thinking, "this girl is strange," but let me explain myself. When someone asks me a question and I don't know the exact answer, I get annoyed, or when people talk about things that I don't understand - the same thing applies. So while I say, I get frustrated, it is more like a frustration on this inside rather than the outside. And when I say frustrated on the inside, I don't mean anger, or have a physical pain in my chest, I simply mean that if I don't know the exact answer, I would prefer to come back to it when I know what I need to say. Anyway, that is getting a bit off topic...

During Christmas time, my sister and I were shopping for Christmas presents one snowy evening when we decided to go into Bloomingdales. As we looked through the numerous sale racks and the variety of brands that were being circled by frantic wives and their seemingly depressed husbands, I finally feasted my eyes upon All Saints. I don't know about you, but I had never heard of the brand, and I became simply thrilled when I set foot in their little "corner store." But to my utter disappointment, my sister reminded me that we were not shopping for ourselves and we had to move on, but this was after we spent some time admiring their down-to-earth-grungy-style-with-a-twist-of-chic pieces (as I like to describe their brand.)

One of the things I like about All Saints is that it is not just suitable for people you are into Rugby and Free People (as it might look like it is), but their pieces include some classic, go with everything, business-like items. Also, this brand is rather recession savvy as it's prices aren't soaring to the sky like little space ships with peculiar mice on it that say "WEVE WON THE WORLD CUP!" (sorry that's a bit dramatic and random).

Tokyo Ditzy Dress

$145

Sheena Dress

Was $145

Now $43.50

Montana Amikiri Dress

Was $175

Now $52.50

7 Curses Dress

Was $225

Now $67.50

The Parachute Short Dress

$250

photocred's: http://www.us.allsaints.com/

These are just some of the pieces that I found blog-worthy and will definitely be going in my "inspiration folder." While the first three have the same cut, I have found that I like that "fitted + flare" look. I am in love with the fourth dress, because just look at that pattern! And plus, I love how they called it "The Seven Curses," because it most certainly fits, as it has that stormy, mysterious, and wild feeling about it. This dress could be paired with a studded belt for school, or heels for a wedding/a dinner out. I'm liking it. And finally the last one just reminded me of my childhood, when my mother and siblings would play with this HUGE parachute in the park, and would wrap ourselves in the never ending game of getting across the parachute while other people swished it every which way. This dress makes me feel like dancing and if paired with soft necklaces, bangles and some fun yet simple heels, you would be set for an amazing night, never to be forgotten.

Hope this post spurred some inspiration for you!

-Sj

p.s. LF's only sale of the season starting up this friday! Get ready ladies.