By Jillian Sorgini
After spending a summer that often mirrored The Devil Wears Prada, coming back to the University was a pleasant relief. Contrary to the popular belief that being a fashion intern is a position that most girls would kill for, it is far from glamorous. Fortunately for me, the payoff was going to New York Fashion Week.
For those in the industry, every day is always about fashion. However, this week is when designers reveal their line for the upcoming season. Although many of us are now thinking about our fall and winter wardrobes, designers are thinking ahead to the spring.
As a student, I did not have the luxury of missing class for a week-so my Fashion Week experience was only two days.
My fashion affair began at the Hotel QT in midtown Manhattan. While most fashion shows are held at the tent in Bryant Park or in other venues, this hotel was a very unusual setting for a show. As I would soon find out, this show was far from typical.
Designer Pegah Anvarian previewed her 2008 spring and summer collection. Rather than a fashion show with a runway, this was a fashion presentation.
The third floor of the hotel transformed into the “backstage” area. Packed with models, hair stylists, makeup artists, and nail techs, it was hard to believe that this was a floor at a hotel.
Two of the rooms converted to the hair and makeup areas. The stairwell became the nail haven. Setting up chairs on the platform between flights of stairs, the Creative Nail Design team made the best use of what little space they had.
The models’ nails dazzled with hues of purple, red, and orange.
Many fail to realize that fashion shows are not solely about the clothes-they are creating a total look. Designers are paying more attention to details and for Pegah Anvarian, it paid off.
With a palate of lively, saturated colors, Anvarian clothed her models in dresses for the spring. Positioned on the staircase above the pool, the girls were a sea of colors ranging from a rich purple, Mediterranean blue, magenta and green. Gem-toned colors are still shining through to next season.
While most of the models were poised on the staircase, four of them literally made a splash in the pool. One very fortunate female model floated around while three very attractive male models pushed her around. It was all fun and games until a gorgeous pair of Manolo Blahniks were ruined in the water.
I received a very nice gift bag which soothed some of the shoe shock. Containing some Red Point makeup, the gift bag also came with a one month gym membership to Smart Workout and a free wax at Completely Bare Hi-tech Spa.
Moving on from the fashion presentation, I attended the Style360 Party which was sponsored in part by Elle magazine. The emphasis was not so much on fashion, but on having a good time. Models mingled with the crowd while a DJ set the tone.
To my surprise, I received another gift bag. Complete with an Elle makeup bag, Max Factor mascara, Sunsilk hair products, candles, a shirt and more-this gift bag, despite its weight, was the perfect end to my first night.
The best was yet to come.
Known for her prom and formal dresses, Betsey Johnson’s show, appropriately titled Prom Queen, did not disappoint.
Stepping into the tent at Bryant Park, I was transported to a prom. The runway was adorned with disco globes and a flower archway as classics like Moon River played in the background. Small, exclusive tables, complete with centerpieces, lined the runway.
Tori Spelling and her husband arrived fashionably late and were seated at one of the tables along the runway. Nigel Barker, from America’s Next Top Model, and LL Cool J also came out for Johnson’s show.
As the lights dimmed, the DJ began to mix old classics with modern hits. Johnson chose to trace prom styles through the decades, starting with the 50s.
Johnson’s signature pink and black color scheme appeared in a good amount of her dresses with a few splashes of polka dots in others.
The hair, sponsored by Redken, changed with each decade, showing Johnson’s attention to details.
Despite the fact that her line is for women, Johnson added three male models to the mix. At least one girl from each decade was escorted down the runway by a male model, one of whom I met last February at Fashion Week.
Unlike most runway shows in which the models walk down the runway, Johnson allowed hers to have fun. A few bounced down the runway and others even blew kisses to the photographers.
The light-hearted ambiance that prevailed throughout the show, took playful, but more serious note toward the end. Johnson used the runway as a political platform, urging her guests to vote. Four models came out in robes, stood under the archway and stripped down to patriotic bikinis. On their backs, they displayed the letters “V-O-T-E.”
As the show came to a close, Johnson emerged from backstage with her granddaughter Layla. Wearing matching tutus and sparkly scrunchies to hold up their pigtails, Johnson walked Layla down the runway and handed her to Layla’s mother.
While most designers pop out from backstage, wave briefly and bow out, Johnson proceeded to rip off her tutu, revealing jeans and a shirt. She then danced and cartwheeled her way down the rest of the runway.
Johnson wanted everyone to have a good time and everyone left happy, with a gift bag in hand. Johnson’s gift bag contained Redken hair product, a sample of Johnson’s perfume, a Betsey Johnson intimates “get it on” thong and a Betsey Johnson bandana.
Even though I got the free gifts from Fashion Week, I still cannot wait to hit the stores to pick up some of next season’s hottest items.