I knew that it was the final day of the NYFW but I also knew that it would be a star-studded day. I needed to wake up early, dress up thoughtfully and celebrate in all kinds of ways the upcoming finale of the fashion week. From my window, early in the morning, I could see a 9/11 Memorial choreographed event at the Lincoln Center Plaza around the fountain. It was such a special day…
I was invited to the 10PM Ralph Lauren show – the same usually goes again for the rest of the guests at 11PM. Just can’t say who wasn’t there, since I had, as always at an RL show, the chance to see all my idols – mainly important fashion editors and writers – as well as street style super stars, and impeccably dressed Park Avenue ladies; all clients to the hugest fashion and lifestyle brand in America – needless to say of global magnitude. Anna Wintour (my role model) was there, and you could also walk side by side with Suzy Menkes, Grace Coddington, Tonne Goodman, Hamish Bowles, Glenda Bailey, Zoe Zee, Robbie Myers, Lisa Love, Andre Leon Talley, Joanna Coles, Lynn Yaeger, Linda Fargo, Ken Downing, Scott Schuman, Bill Cunningham, and Fern Mallis, to name a few. Other eye-catching guests that I noticed included Natasha Goldenberg, Caroline Issa, Peetma Singh, Giovanna Bataglia, and Anna Dello Russo (in incredible Christopher Kane dress). Front row was also graced by Hollywood super star Julianne Moore; one of my favorite actresses. This time the chandeliers were wrapped in nude tulle and the clothes were all about the most refined and sophisticated Safari look, inspired more by trips to India rather than Africa, and becoming so versatile that it could easily include lavish eveningwear versions bedazzled with costume jewelry. Khakis and nudes, safari jackets, and dresses with impressive pockets, brightened up with yellow, pink, and orange complementary pieces, made it super fresh, and one of the most interestingly beautiful collections of the NY Fashion Week, praised unanimously by top editors. I was so thrilled with what I saw on the catwalk, that I stayed a bit more after the show to snap the stylish guests who had the privilege to see it in the second round at 11PM.
Thinking about fashion diversity, I just couldn’t deny attendance, right after, to a little known designer from Romania, Dorin Negrau, who as a first-timer at the NYFW and MBFW, presented at Lincoln Center an alternative and eclectic collection of deconstructed silhouettes inspired by Transylvania, the Dracula, and traditional Romanian costumes. The contrast to the previous show was immense but I’m taught to avoid pointless comparisons, and study each designer’s value or potential, separately. I liked the disheveling of the fabrics, the hand-made lace, and the embroidery, and got intrigued by the loose, asymmetric silhouettes. Things were not supposed to be fitted and in place, they were just meant to be retro-bohemian and free-spirited.
Returning to the mega-shows, I went next-door for a bit of J.Mendel glam and luxe; this time in an artsy way, as a result of the designer’s collaboration with artist Enoc Perez who is known for his paintings of architectural structures. The opulent collection of dresses and furs was characterized by the intensity of print, color, and texture shaped up in sleek architectural silhouettes. Highly textural Couture fabrications, transparencies, collages, prints of giant multi-windowed buildings, geometric panes of black tulle, and the designer’s interpretation (foil effect) of the artist’s signature layering of paint with metallic leaf, gave an extraordinary visual spectacle. Among everyone’s favorite pieces were the ombré fox coats, as well as some cotton poplin one-shoulder dresses, embroidered shift dresses, organza jacquards, and slender cigarette pants. It was a big dose of fabulousness there!
The last of my NYFW shows was a bit extravaganza and bit of good work by celebrity stylist Kithe Brewster who invited us at the imposingly gold-clad Prince George Ballroom (15 E. 27th Street) to see an eveningwear collection with interesting draping, nice tailoring and high-quality fabrics. Some of the flowing silhouettes were extremely figure-flattering for most body types; a thing that the designer is most probably aiming at. Dresses and ensembles in black, white, midnight blue, and a beautiful deep red, along with the intense and theatrical makeup, can have a lasting impact. The whole event had great energy and an implicit message that women of all ages and shapes can make men be smitten by their allure!
My night-off started with a Diamond Fizz (girls’ most favorite cocktail) at Lillie’s, Flat Iron; a place with medieval decoration but cool vibes. Then went for dinner with friends at Estancia460 – a kitchen mix of Mediterranean and Latin American flavors – and on our way for after-drinks we symbolically stopped by the World Trade Center which has to be a reminder of this nation’s power and courage to reborn – a positive message for all of us who are real fighters in life. And with this comforting thoughts in our minds, we ended up in Soho Grand; a night that was soon elevated to lots of dancing and sizzling cocktails. What a great day/glorious finale to this season’s fashion week! Love you all and thank you for being virtual followers to my incredible trip; through Fashionality, my Instagram account, and my numerous exclusive posts for TheSchoolofStyle.com!
xxx
Elena Sendona
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