Conquering New York Fashion Week

Me with my longtime pal Katie, outside of the Fashion Week tents!

I went.  I saw.  I conquered.  New York Fashion Week, that is.  In case you still haven’t figured it out, I get uber excited about all things fashion, and getting to view Michael Kors Spring 2012 Collection first hand was the icing on my fashion cake.  I got to spend a few days last week in a beautiful apartment in the Clinton/Midtown West area of Manhattan, a central location which was walking distance to Hell’s Kitchen, Times Square, the Garment District, and the Theatre District.  I had quite a few exciting days, and made some memories that will stick with me for a very, very long time.  I always feel invigorated after returning from a trip like this, with an abundance of ideas, new found inspiration, and an excitement for the change of seasons. 

First and foremost, while I was not situated in the front row (where I obviously thought I belonged), I was happily planted on a balcony seating area conveniently located above one of my beloved fashion icons, Rachel Zoe.  Yes, she had Roger by her side, and yes, she looked utterly fabulous sporting her signature oversized shades and a wide brimmed hat.  I typically would never be caught gawking at anyone, celebrity or not, but this was an exception.  In fact, it seemed that she was what everyone was gawking at, and she was soon engulfed by flashbulbs and microphones, without reappearing until everyone was told to be seated for the start of the show (the whispers, pointing fingers, and flashbulbs continued right up until the actual start of the show).

As the lights dimmed, a boisterous violin blasted a raw version of Adele’s Set Fire to the Rain, and Rolling in the Deep.  As the excitement continued to build, the first look emerged, it was apparent that the theme would be reminiscent of an African safari adventure meets Army Sniper.  Looks were a collaboration of of earth tonal natural fabrics such as leather, cashmere, and cotton were apparent throughout the collection.  Hues of red, olive, burnt orange, and mustard were sprinkled in the show in the form of tie dyed frocks and monotone separates.  Bold leopard and zebra prints, as well as some python skins set off the whole safari look, with some audaciously feathered dresses and pants thrown in for good measure.  Everything in the collection was so raw, similar to the tunes that were blasting in the tent, that it seemed the pieces were each handmade in a South African village.  Each piece was a delicate reminder of the simplistic beauty that fashion can have, when it’s not overpowered by all of the glitz. 

Where is fashion headed for Spring 2012?  Most of the looks from all of the designers I viewed had one common theme- simplicity.  While they may have punched it up in the details and the color department, the silhouettes were one extreme or the other, either streamlined and tailored, or fluid and organic, making for very classic looks.  Maybe it’s a sign of the seemingly impending simpler times that lay ahead, or maybe it’s just an ongoing recycling of looks from the 60’s and 70’s.  Either way, I’m ecstatic.  While I do love me an edgy outfit every now and then, I could seriously do without having to see people wearing an entire bottle of gel in their hair and every ring in the jewelry box on their fingers. 

For more tips and tricks on fashion, check out my store website at www.purplezebrashop.com, find The Purple Zebra on Facebook, or follow me on twitter at @goodnpretty.

Fashion Week Frenzy

I survived a tragically low key Labor Day weekend this year.  Not my ideal way to celebrate the “last weekend of summer”, but successful nonetheless.  Now I’m making way for my absolute favorite time of year, fall!  As if I didn’t make my love for the fall season clear enough over the past few weeks, with my topics of discussion mainly focusing on the closet transition to Fall Fashion.  I also cannot get over my excitement for the introduction of Pumpkin flavored lattes to the coffee shop menus, or the fact that I’ve already started stocking up on Libby’s canned pumpkin in preparation for the mass quantities of pies that I plan on baking in my shiny new oven.  The intention to bake is at least worth something, right?  Football season has entered my radar, and as a former Penn Stater, one cannot help but get excited about the Nittany Lions’ first victory of the seasons.  I give hefty store discounts in exchange for PSU tickets, by the way.  In addition, the leaves will soon begin to fade into beautiful hues of orange and red, making me want to cherish the remainder of bearable temperatures as the days begin getting shorter.  Of course the Fall Fashion television lineup has made a notable impact as well.  The most notable shows (besides Project Runway, which is already in week 7) I’ll be watching this season are all on Bravo (surprise, surprise), which includes a new season of the Rachel Zoe Project starting Sept 6, as well as two new shows, Fashion Hunters and Mad Fashion, both of which premiere Oct 4 on Bravo.  Also keep an eye out for Project Runway All-Stars, which will premiere later this year on Lifetime. 

But the most important fall event, in my mind anyway, is Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in NYC. This is the most notorious of all fashion weeks, and is highly anticipated each spring and fall.  The Bloomsburg Fair does come in as a close second, however.  Each year, on the second Thursday in February and September, NYC becomes the center of the universe for fashion designers, buyers, bloggers, magazine editors and celebrities.  And each year, I head to the websites and television specials that highlight the most fabulous designs on the runways, longing for the chance to someday be seated on the sidelines of one of these epic performances.  If you’ve never even seen one on television or via the web, I recommend that you try and check it out.  A lot of shows showcase the efforts that must be put forth in creating such an event, but nothing can compare to the flashing lights, and amped up downtown tunes that vibe through the air as each artist’s works take long, strong strides down the illuminated runways.  The idea is that the designers showcase the upcoming season’s designs in advance, so stylists and magazine editors can get their hands on the “off the runway” garments before they are actually produced, and buyers can get a preview of the upcoming collections.  The front rows of these shows are typically lined with celebrities, because if a celebrity is seen in your clothing, everyone will want to buy it.

<image courtesy of www.yournews.com>

This year’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2012, which takes place Sept 8 – 15, will be the center of my universe.  A few weeks ago, one of my oldest and dearest friends informed me via my facebook wall that she had big news, and that I had better be seated when she called me that afternoon.  Being the social network-crazed girl that I am, I received her post immediately and patiently waited with my phone in hand for the big phone call.  Three hours and ten chewed-down fingernails later, I received the news that the two of us were headed to fashion week, and that our show of choice was Michael Kors, which was to be taking place at 10:00 am on Wednesday, September 14.  Yes, THE Michael Kors; judge on the Emmy-nominated reality show Project Runway, and the youngest recipient to ever clench a Lifetime Achievement Award from the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America).  Obviously, these shows are by invitation only, and I am one lucky duck to be attending such an event.  A few days later, I received my confirmation email telling me to skip the general admissions lines and to relax in the Star Lounge until being escorted to my seat before the start of the show.  Are you kidding me?  This is what I’m talking about.  These are my front row, 50 yard line seats to the Super Bowl that I’ve been waiting for, kids.  I feel like Ralphie from A Christmas Story, anticipating my Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle on Christmas morning. 

It’s been brought to my attention that most of the general public is sort of clueless when it comes to the idea of Fashion Week in general, so I’ve included some fun facts on fashion to help paint the picture!

1943: The year of the first Fashion Week, titled “Press Week”, organized by publicist Eleanor Lambert, takes place in New York City to emphasize American designers during WWII.
200,000: Number of gift bags distributed to guests and press at Fashion Week (hopefully, I will be the lucky recipient of one or two of these).
1950s:  Robert Vivier revives opulent high heeled shoes by creating the first “stilettos” with a thin steel rod.
240:  Average number of Moet Champagne bottles uncorked during after parties.
1961: The British Fashion Council organizes the first London fashion week to showcase the new Mod clothing movement.
500: Estimated number of interns slaving away behind the scenes during NYFW.
1964: Mary Quant creates the first “mini skirt”, which becomes hugely popular in London before making its way over to the states.
87,200:  Combined weight in pounds of the 800 runway models that hit the catwalk over the course of the week.
1980s:  Calvin Klein is credited with the invention of the first pair of designer jeans.  Until this point, denim had not been considered “high fashion”, despite its popularity.
26,000:  Estimated number of cups of espresso that will be guzzled throughout the week.
1993: Fashion Week moves to Bryant Park
2007: Over 40 different Fashion Weeks are now established, with NY Fashion Week being one of the most prestigious.
2010: Mercedes Benz Fashion Week moves to Lincoln Center, where it is currently held.
*Sources: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Myspace, New York Fashion Week, NY Mag, NY Times 

For anyone who is new to the world of fashion, this event is sort of the crème de la crème of the entire fashion industry.  I will be amongst the greatest designers and biggest fashion icons of our time!  I’m so excited to take tons of pictures, and fill my brain with inspiration that I’m sure will last for many columns to come.   Keep checking back for all of my adventures from the show next week!  For more fashion tips and tutorials, check out my store's website at www.purplezebrashop.com, find The Purple Zebra on Facebook, and follow me on twitter @goodnpretty.

Fashion = Art.

Last week, I was fortunate enough to have one of those endearing encounters that stay stuck in your brain for quite a while.  In fact, I still get a big smile across my face when I think back to all of the details that took place that morning.  I was sitting in the store, completing fall inventory orders and doing some paperwork when a young girl and her mother came into the store to shop.  When I asked them if they needed help with anything, they said with a smile that they were just browsing, and started sifting through the racks.  I immediately noticed that the young girl was drawn to sparkly things- she was a girl after my own heart.  When the pair finally got to the counter with their intended purchases, the mother kindly asked me if I was the girl from the newspaper.  “Yes!” I replied, “as a matter of fact I am”.  The pair continued to inform me of the 5^th grader’s love for fashion, on how she reads my column weekly, and about her interest in one day becoming a fashion designer!  (Hopefully she remembers this column in twelve years and seats me in the front row of her show when she makes it big.)  We proceeded to talk about favorite designers (this girl knows her stuff), and about her sewing classes in Danville.  In fact, she touched me so much, that I felt that it was my responsibility to inform my readers on the importance of fashion.  That’s right, fashion is not just some frivolity for people with extra money to spend; it is truly a form of art. More importantly, fashion is an outlet of self expression for a countless number of people, young and old alike.

First and foremost, a little crash course in history is in order.  What many people don’t know, is that the history of fashion design dates all the way back to Egyptian civilization, but became prominent in society during the 18^th century, with Marie Antoinette and her court.  Fashion became a pastime for the royals, and was considered to be even more impractical than the 5 inch platforms that we (or I, at least) wear today.  In the mid 19^th century, a man by the name of Charles Frederic Worth, changed the game of fashion forever.  Until then, couturiers would have to travel to a clients’ home to custom fit and create garments for them.  Worth, who is deemed the “father of haute couture”, was the first person to create an actual collection of garments and to organize a “fashion show” of sorts, complete with his own label that was sewn into the garments.  The 1900’s came next, with fashion taking a different twist.  Fashions became more practical and accessible, with corsets taking a backseat to looser fitting garments that could be worn by women working alongside men.  The rest is history!  Fashion trends today are ever changing, adapting, and recycling themselves to correlate with many sociopolitical issues, economic trends, etc, and have become a form of self exploration and expression.

So how does this relate to the art world?  Well, the large majority of us are purchasing mass produced “designs”.  But that doesn’t mean there isn’t an artist behind the inspiration!  You’ve seen The Devil Wears Prada, right?  If not, go rent it; or better yet, buy it!  Somewhere out there is an artist, sketching up a gorgeous design and hand draping and patterning that design to perfection.  The designer must perfect the design using a slew of mathematical calculations based on sizing, as well as marketable calculations based upon the type of client that will be wearing the garment, the price point, and much, much more.  If you still aren’t convinced that fashion design is an art form, I challenge you to create an ensemble from a piece of cloth, and see how many people are willing to buy it.  Oh, and of course you have to be able to create a garment that has the masses just itching to get into it.  After you’ve got that down you’ll have to create an entire collection of desirable garments, and do it a minimum of 4 times a year, essentially with no breaks in between.  And you’ll have to squeeze in time for fashion shows, press releases, and industry events to get your product out in the spotlight, of course! 

Lastly, fashion is not only a form of art, it is a form of expression.  How many days do you wake up wondering what to wear that morning?  Well, probably not as often as I, but most of us have those moments from time to time.   More often than not, I typically dress for my “mood”.  Most of us have heard that colors can drastically affect one’s mood, known commonly as “color psychology”.  Have you ever wondered why spas tend to decorate in a certain palate, why schools’ interiors tend to be painted in a particular color scheme, and why gyms are typically adorned with red or orange hues?  It’s all a mind game, my friends.  Different colors evoke different moods, which is why we may reach for a red shirt when we’re feeling energetic, or a blue shirt on a calm, cool, and collected type of day.  Just the same, getting dressed in the morning can be a strategy of sorts.  Think about the encounters you will have throughout the day and what type of emotion you are trying to evoke from your encounters.  I try not to think too hard about how my t-shirt will affect the way people talk to me throughout the day, but I do follow one rule.  If I wake up on the wrong side of the bed, I’m wearing black, all black, and black alone.  It’s always chic, put together, and gives off a “don’t mess with me” type of aura that is suitable for any situation.  It’s also associated with power, mystery, and elegance to name a few.   Which emotion am I feeling that day?  I’ll never tell.  After all, that would take mystery out of the equation, now wouldn’t it?