Recapping My First New York Fashion Week

Helloooo my peeps! I am SO, so excited to finally be writing this post and sharing my first experience at New York Fashion Week with you all. Even in the midst of it all, I was starting to conceptualize this blog post, making mental notes of everything I was taking in, highlighting favorite moments and the biggest FML fails as they were happening- basically just being crazy excited to get it all written down, and to be able able to relax and reflect on the chaos that is NYFW.

It was a whirlwind of a weekend, packed with the continuous stress of being perpetually late (the upside being, everyone else is also always running late), my anxiousness of meeting new people and having a weekend fully immersed in blogging world, and the overall overwhelmingness of navigating a city as crazy and BIG as New York (it makes Chicago feel like a suburb!); but, overall, it was one of the most formative, significant, and special weekends in my blogging career. I mean, even the fact that I just typed out “blogging career” feels like a game changer to me.

A year ago, it didn’t even dawn on me that New York Fashion Week is something bloggers attended; I wasn’t aware that NYFW is more than just shows, but a time to meet with brands, go to events and parties, network and mingle with others in the influencer biz. I certainly wasn’t invited to anything a year ago! So, that in itself, being able to reflect on my own journey and growth as a blogger has been incredibly humbling and rewarding; a year ago October I hit 10K followers on Instagram, had just revamped my blog, and was slowly but surely starting to grow something beyond the little hobby it had been for two years. Coming to New York Fashion Week this year felt nothing short of an unimaginable dream.

Leather Jacket (similar) // Polka Dot Blouse // Skirt // Booties (similar) // Bag

I try to be as transparent and upfront with you guys as possible, so I’m not going to sit here and make it seem like I was invited to all the hottest events, and was bopping all over town in 12 looks and 27 shows a day. I definitely could have done a little bit more research and planning to get my name out there to brands and firms that I would be in ze area, but overall, I felt that there were enough opportunities presented that warranted going. The first and probably biggest reason I went, was to attend the Reward Style events that I was invited to. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the company, RStyle is the mastermind behind Like To Know It (and the recently launched app!), which allows me to “link” my outfit product details on Instagram and the blog. They allow bloggers to make commission through posting what they are wearing, which up until the company was established, was not really a thing. They have become crazy instrumental in the blogging work and getting invited to any of their events is a huge honor. A year ago I wasn’t even aware that they had events, so that just goes to show ya! I wasn’t about to pass on something I found so incredibly exciting. Plus, at that point a lot of my blogger friends had already started talking about going and asking if I was going; it seemed like there were SO many people who were planning their trips, and I knew it would be a ton of fun getting to meet everyone and get to hang out in the city (more on that later).

So, I flew out with my boyfriend Francis and we stayed in Times Square (ha, nooot by my choice, I was well aware of how touristy it was, plus I got huge ass spider bites when I was there, soo overall not the best of experiences). I will admit though, driving in late on that first Thursday night, and seeing how bright Times Square still was at 11:30 pm at night, was pretty insane!

Jacket (similar) // Top // Skirt // Shoes // Bag // Sunglasses

Friday I met two of my blogger friends Taylor and Jena for brunch in SoHo at The Butcher’s Daughter. My younger sister goes to school in southern California and goes to the Venice location all the time- I’ve been dying to go!! It is the cutest little spot with amazing avocado toast (my fave!)

We then headed off to the first RStyle event. It was a drop-in event at a hotel they had rented the top few floors of, with panoramic rooftop views of the city, photographers taking pictures at the hotel and in front of their newly painted Like To Know It wall mural (which they’ve done in a series of cities to promote the new app), bellinis and mimosas, and even a virtual reality station. It was SO cool. They also had this little floral hanging wall, cute little sitting areas… I mean they had made every inch of this place Instagrammable. They know their audience 🙂

The hotel also had floor to ceiling windows with the most magnificent views of NYC; there was a DJ, there were RStyle reps to meet and connect with, and of course, SO many bloggers (who of course were all dressed perfectly)! Seriously, everyone was on their A game. I was constantly turning my head trying to get a glimpse of what everyone was wearing. Everyone was all over the place style wise, which was fun to see, and meant you could really get anyway with anything! (I wish I had pushed the bounds a little farther, tbh). It was also really incredible getting to be in the same room and even meet some of the bloggers who have inspired me for years. It was a very exciting morning!

Friday was by far the busiest day that I had planned- I had a runway show to attend, I was shooting with a photographer in SoHo, and I had two drop-in events to grab drinks and mingle. On top of that I originally was trying to make dinner plans with Francis, grab drinks with some of my blogger friends, and see two of my very best friends from college. And just to point out, I swear it takes you 30 min by cab or uber no matter where you are going in the city. So, yeah, possibly not enough hours in the day to get it done. But, I had good intentions, and set out for the first half of the day in one of my favorite looks, featuring the above embroidered skirt. I busted out my Valentino rockstud pumps as I often do for special occasions, and packed a little pair of silver metallic flats to bring along. My thought was that I would just throw on the flats whenever I was in transit, which would somehow give my feet enough of a break. Wow, I could not have been more misguided in thought. 

I can probably last 27 minutes in these shoes before they start to slowly and deviously murder my feet, so I have no idea what I was thinking. I was like a little newborn Bambi by the end of the morning; my feet hurt so bad I essentially had to continuously hold onto something to avoid toppling over. If I go again next year, I will be 100% ditching the stilettos and bringing funky boots, detailed mules, runway worthy sneakers. Every time I saw a girl rocking velvet booties I kicked myself a bit haha. Definitely worth going the comfy route when you’re doing so much movin’!

I’ll admit, I could appreciate the humor in the situation. I’m meeting so many new people all at once, rubbing elbows with some of the most influential bloggers in the biz, and just trying to act cool and not like the spazz I am 85% of the time!! Which of course, I totally ended up being. At one point, I was trying to balance my leather jacket draped over my shoulders, which despite looking ~chic~ was honestly a bit impractical, along with my purse over my arm, a bellini in my hand, on top of those bloody shoes…At one point the jacket is sliding off of me, I’m trying to awkwardly re-drape it, I’m trying not to fall over in my shoes or splash my drink on anyone… My allergies start kicking in and my nose is dripping, I’m starting to overheat and sweat a bit because I’m a little nervous- I probably looked absurd hahaha. At the end of the day though, it’s a pretty accurate testament of who I really am; I could be the most glammed up ever and my chances of pulling a Jennifer Lawrence at the Oscars will still be a 99% possibility.

Taylor of The Styled Press (on the right) // Me (middle) // Jena Green (on the left)

I eventually leave the RStyle event and rush to grab an uber to try and make it in time for the All Comes From Nothing show. It was my first runway experience, so I’m really happy that I went, but… It may have lasted for all of 5 minutes hahaha. I had been invited to go and had provided my information beforehand and everything, but figures that when I get there to check in they say “Oh… yeah you’re not on the list. But it’s fine, you can go in.” *Internally laughing because of course this happens to me* Like I said, not going to sugarcoat it for you guys!

I had a photoshoot with a photographer about an hour and a bit afterwards, not enough time to go meet up with anyone or head back to my hotel, so I ended up walking around the Meatpacking District, went into a couple little shops, grabbed some coffee. After my shoot I was feeling crazy energy-drained (I’m actually quite introverted, so all the socializing over the weekend was fun, but exhausting!!), so I met Francis back at the hotel so we could catch up about our days and go grab something to eat.

We are both huuuuge foodies and it was the only dinner we were going to have together over the trip, so we knew we had to find something special! We ended up at Up Thai in the Upper East Side for drinks, pad thai, and spring rolls. It definitely hit the mark! The food was considered upscale Thai street food, which was incredible, and the space itself was super cool- very low lit with lanterns, twinkle lights, and lots of plants!

Later that night I had plans with my two crazy besties from college who I barely get to see, so I was super pumped. I did learn however, that everyone in NYC doesn’t go to the bars until like 12 or 1 which is just friggin craaaaazy town to me. I was yawning in my uber on the way to meet them, completely unsure if I’d be able to make it past 11, but low and behold, a few hours later, there I am sitting with my girls eating pizza at 3:30 am making friends with strangers on the street. Despite eventually getting to bed at like FIVE IN THE MORNING and having a shoot at 11:45 (I’m literally getting stressed typing this out), it was the perfect night to end a perfect day in NYC!

Saturday consisted of another shoot, followed by brunch at the cutest little pink restaurant ever (I had seen Pietro Nolita allll over Insta and new I HAD to go), and strolling around SoHo with Francis and one of my best college pals. It was so nice to get a little break from the chaos of Fashion Week and catch up with her! We ate pasta, checked out Cha Cha Matcha to grab matcha soft serve, and walked all over the place. Such great people watching, there were wall murals everywhere; this part of town was just my absolute fave.

Top

Saturday night was essentially the grand finale of my trip: the annual Like To Know It Fashion Week Rooftop party! I was SO excited for this, but I also cannot stress enough how anxious and nervous I was to be going (to the party and for the whole trip in general); I had no idea what to expect and I was worried I’d end up standing alone in a corner like a lil weirdo with no one to talk to!! Which, luckily did not happen 🙂

I was SO fortunate to have these blogger babes by my side, all of whom I have followed on Instagram for quite some time, but had never met in person. We hit it off SO well, and the weekend would not have been what it was if not for them.

From left to right: Jena Green // Taylor of The Styled Press // Megan of Pine Barren Beauty // Me // Jen of Red White & Denim // Michelle of Mrs. Simply Lovely

Dress // Earrings // Clutch // Pumps

Hanging with my blogger babes was by far the best part of Fashion Week. It is SO easy to play the comparison game when it comes to blogging, or to get jealous of the success of others, but with this group, it could not have been more different. These are some of the sweetest, kindest, genuine, most supportive people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. The fact that we could relate on so much, resonate with all the ins and outs of blogging, the highs and lows, and just be able to support and celebrate one another was the best feeling.

Okay, so for those of you who have read this far, please accept this virtual gold star * hahaha. I just wanted to quickly end this recap with some of the biggest things I learned over the weekend, plus some insider tips for any of you who might want to attend Fashion Week in the future and are wondering how the heck to make it happen:

What I Learned At My First NYFW

• Well for starters, anyone can go. So my advice to any blogger who wants to attend NYFW would be to just do it! You don’t need invites to events, parties, or shows to make it worthwhile. One, there are a ton of shows that are open to the public, so if you did your research you could still plan a packed itinerary. And two, it’s just a really crazy and fun time to be in the city. There is amazing fashion to be seen every where, and photographers taking street style shots all over town, which is cool to see in action (I may have gotten snapped a few times, hehe!)
• Do your homework before hand. This is where I definitely could have stepped up. Reach out to all the PR or influencer platform companies you work with and let them know you’ll be in town. What typically happens is you’ll get your name sent around to any clients or associates they have that may be having shows or events. That way, you can potentially get on some lists! Same goes for scoping out brand meetings or even sponsorships (like hotels!) Reach out far enough in advance and express your interest.
• Plan out your photos! Honestly, get on Pinterest, stalk your fave NYC bloggers on Insta, make a wish-list, either hire a photographer or coerce your boyfriend like I usually do. In hindsight, I really wish I had hit the Flatiron district, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Top of the Rock. The views are all incredible!!
• Bring a giant ass tote bag so you can take all your “looks” with you, and not have to stop back at your hotel. I kid you not when I say that some girls had upwards of 15 outfits for just 3 days. That’s just kinda how the cookie crumbles at fashion week. I could have done a better job of this!! I ended up working with a couple different photographers and got my photo taken at different events, so I wish I had been able to shown off some more head to toe styling/taken some more risks! Over the weekend I saw all the velvet, pleated metallics, crazy embroidery and ruffles- So I think I’ll definitely go the more ~avant garde~ route next time!
• Wear comfy shoes!! Like I mentioned, stilettos was huuuge mistake. Especially since there are so many fabulous options out there- Sneakers, mules, and booties was def the way to go.
• Maximize time with other bloggers. Whether that is hanging out with friends from Instagram and growing those relationships in person, or mustering up the courage to say hi to your favorite blogger and get a picture with them. The whole weekend is one big networking event, and it is not only a great opportunity to make friends, buuuut also to grow your brand, get your name out there.
• Don’t sweat the small stuff and just have fun. I was always running late, I couldn’t make it to every single thing I had planned, and it ended up being totally fine. NYFW can be anything you want it to be- there isn’t one right way it has to be done! As long as you have a good time, and get a little dose of that New York fashion magic, (seriously, there is just something about this city!), then it’ll be a trip SO worth while.