NYFW Recap 2018
When I started my fashion and home decor blog two years ago, I never dreamed it would take me to New York Fashion Week. As one of the premier fashion events in the world, tickets to industry shows are typically invitation-only. Since I was travelling to a city that offers such an abundance of things to do and places to dine, I planned to mix in some amazing cuisine between couture fashion shows.
Dress from The Jodi Life , bagI checked into the boutique-style Hotel Indigo in the Lower East Side and was pleasantly surprised by the hip atmosphere and sleek stylings. Hip, spacious and located near some of the best restaurants in the city, it was the perfect match. It was my first time staying at a Hotel Indigo property and it was very apparent how much they take pride in caring for their guests. This hotel provides rooms with ample space and is also home to the highly popular rooftop bar, Mr. Purple. This hip hotel is right around some of the best restaurants in the city and just a short cab ride away from tourist attractions such as The Brooklyn Bridge and Times Square.
Feeling fatigued from my travel day, I stopped into an Italian eatery next door to the hotel that promised a great deal on mimosas for brunch. The charming brick walls, antique wood doors, and attentive staff made my fashionista friends and I feel like we were transported from New York to Italy. From the moment I walked into Taverna di Bacco, I felt like I was family. Upon being seated, the head chef greeted our table and asked us where we were visiting from. He sat and talked with us for a while before heading back into his quaint kitchen to make our meals. The fragrance of fresh garlic filled the air as we sipped our Beaujolais. He returned with a taste of one of his signature dishes - fettuccine with prawns in a light butter and garlic sauce, and my mouth instantly started watering. He asked us back for dinner that evening and offered to cover our meals for our company. That evening we enjoyed the hospitality and cuisine of Maurizio Crescenzo, head chef and owner of the restaurant, and Chopped Season 23 winner. As I sipped a new cocktail creation of his, (a spin on an old fashioned topped with sugared sage) I was greeted by his two young daughters and wife. They had stopped in to visit him. I felt as though I was a guest in their home rather than a patron in a restaurant. We spoke for hours and enjoyed small bites of various pasta dishes, cheeses and to finish it off - homemade tiramisu. It was around midnight when I realized I had been there for six hours and really needed to get some sleep if I was going to be attending any shows the following day.
Most of the fashion shows are held at Spring Studios, in TriBeCa. But, some designers will select more original venues throughout the city. It is highly encouraged to arrive around 30-45 minutes (or even an hour in some cases) before the show. It took us an average of 30 minutes to travel 2 miles in the city, so planning out adequate time to attend is key. We attended four days of the two-week long event, so every minute was critical. Also, because most of the shows we attended did not have food, we had to make time to eat in between running around the city. I discovered some pretty amazing dollar pizza slices in the Lower East Side.The dress code was all over the place. Some people were in very elegant attire and others lived by the thought - the funkier the better. I wore an oh-so-trendy wide pant with a floral leg and a designer blouse. The overall vibe of the city completely changes during fashion week. I laughed while overhearing al fresco restaurant goers ask the waiter what was going on and why there were so many people in outlandish clothing. Everywhere you looked where the events were taking place was a sea of couture and edgy attire. We all shined against the typical all-black New York uniform.
Our first show was Afffair. Self described as “elite and elegant with a hint of couture”, Rufat Ismayilov’s debuted a collection with a contemporary classic aesthetic and modern silhouettes. Each model’s ensemble was characterized by feminine details to enhance the female form and covered in his signature - sequins and beading. He focused on a specific color scheme of gold, black and green. Outfits became more and more revealing, exposing the beautiful shape of each woman wearing them. After the hour-long show, we all left feeling inspired.
Each evening, we attended various fashion-based parties with all of the who’s who from the blogging world. The party that stood out to me the most was the Lulu’s clothing line party, held in Manhattan. Lovely ladies were walking around with their phones in the air, sharing their experiences with their followers in one hand and a pink martini in the other. Throughout the event space one could stop and strike a pose in front of styled walls and furniture, providing the ultimate “instagram worthy” selfie. A calligrapher awaiting your request to write your name on a single white rose with the tagline “will you accept this rose?”, cotton candy martinis, and a pop up shop where one article of clothing was a gift to each attendee were just a few of the perks of the party.
[show_shopthepost_widget id="3300054"]One of the highlights from the trip was our time spent at Mr. Purple. If you ask a local New Yorker for a few suggestions of an after-hours watering hole, you can almost guarantee they will suggest Mr. Purple. This vibrant and artistic rooftop bar captures the true essence of the Lower East Side and is also home to one of the top-rated New York rooftop pools. It was designed to recreate the look and feeling of an artist's’ loft space, with both indoor and outdoor seating options. Their rooftop terrace is decorated with a modern-industrial style, including touches such as a concrete floor, free hanging lights, a brick wall behind the bar and contemporary wooden furniture.Their locally-sourced menu items and collection of signature cocktails provide a unique and fun foodie experience. I decided on my go-to drink, a good glass of Penfolds and their signature modern-looking cheeseboard.
