DAY 1: From the airport to the runway
I hit the tarmac at JFK, it's 2pm and I've got five days and five shows to attend… eek! Upon arrival, I'm greeted with a personal note from Bobbi Brown herself before I head off to the Heart Truth charity show, which kicks off Fashion Week - thankfully I packed my skyscraper heels and Chloé blouse in my hand luggage for a quick change! Feeling pretty high-profile jumping out of the Escalade that has dashed me from the airport (it's just how we roll in NYC, Scenesters), I arrive at the Hammerstein Ballroom and am escorted to meet Bobbi's team backstage.
The atmosphere is electric and her team of make-up artists are buzzing around the celebs, getting them BB-perfect. I'm introduced to Bobbi, who chats about who she's working on and the make-up look she's creating - all the celebs who have volunteered for the show will be wearing red dresses from different designers. I immediately spot Christie Brinkley in a stunning Pamella Roland gown, and then to my right, the pint-sized Gloria Estefan in Narciso Rodriguez. The stars are soon ready, hit the red carpet, and the photogs go mad. A personal highlight is seeing the designer Diane Von Furstenberg appear alongside Minka Kelly - amaze! The last trail of a red gown disappears and I rush down to the ballroom to grab my seat amongst the buzzing crowd. Fifteen minutes, 18 stunning dresses - Rebecca Romijn in Marchesa was particularly stunning - what a fab evening and great start to the week!
DAY 2: Backstage at the Tibi show
Woke up to snow this morning; it's freezing and I'm seriously re-thinking the Carvela boots, but there's no time to whine, I've got an interview scheduled with Bobbi before the Tibi show this afternoon. Just as I expected, the make-up maven is ridiculously lovely, we get our chat on and I get to see the master in her own surroundings at her workplace in Soho. We talk, have a laugh and she suggests lunch at the Mercer Kitchen with her team. Oh, go on then, she's twisted my arm! I kept my eyes peeled for famous faces but it's a no-show on the celeb front, and with lunch over, it's 3pm and time to hail a cab and head backstage at the Tibi show.
Bobbi's lead make-up artist, Kim Soane, is heading the team as they apply a strong brow and a 90s twist on a flawless finish to the models. I'm then taken front of house to my seat on the catwalk row and as I'm about to sit, E! stylist and presenter, Louise Roe, enters to a cacophony of camera flashes, shortly followed by reality TV star, Olivia Palermo - an avid fan of Tibi. I have perfect view and the show doesn't disappoint - texture mixes of PVC and knits with Tibi-style lengths prove the A/W12 line to be a hit. And after a glimpse of Tibi designer, Amy Smilovic, that wraps up another eventful day in NYC.
DAY 3: From DVF to Rachel Zoe
I spend the morning in Montclair at the personal invitation of one of Bobbi's lead make-up artists to make me fashion show-flawless. I get a lesson packed with plenty of new tips and tricks and feel ready to tackle fashion week head on.
With the Diane Von Furstenberg show at 4pm, I race back into the city and make it to the Lincoln Centre just in time. I scramble through the crowd, but kiss goodbye to a seat at this stage - it's DVF after all - I'm lucky to be standing. The show has the best turnout I've seen so far and I spot Rachel Zoe in the front row. In true Fashion-Week style, the show is running late, but that gives me a chance to secure a good view. Being an avid DVF follower (I wore my charcoal DVF dress, people) I can't wait to see what's coming up next season. The lights go down, the show begins with a sea of raspberry and classic black cuts, interspersed with dashes of sequins and velvet and finished with timeless accessories. I'm hearting the whole range. The show finishes with the style queen herself walking the catwalk thanking her guests - the applause speaks for itself and the animated fashion chatter lasts long after the lights go up.
DAY 4: Reservations at the A-list eatery
It's an early start this morning, so with a strong Starbucks in hand I hit the backstage area of the Rachel Roy show at 8am. It's organised chaos! There are cameras and interviewers all over the place, and in the midst of it all is Bobbi, perfectly serene with her table of palettes and products. She's hard at work, creating an earthy and natural look for the show, and talks me through the tips and techniques she is using, so with ‘before' photos in hand, I head off to see the show.
Inside the hall there's a thick throng of journalists, bloggers and celebs. The show isn't a show at all, but a presentation of models placed on stage. Different, yes, but very well executed. Plus, it gives me even more celeb-spotting opportunities and I catch Jenna Dewan-Tatum (gorgeous actor, Channing's wife) being interviewed by E! and reality TV star, Kristin Cavallari chatting to a fashion journo. Then the hall erupts as Rachel Roy enters and everyone goes wild - too much! She chats about the looks and her inspirations, with her collection a plethora of plums, khaki greens and burnt oranges, perfectly complemented by the make-up.
The presentation lasts until lunchtime, and I spot Olivia Palermo teetering in to meet up with a fellow fashionista friend. Late reservations at the exclusive Balthazar Restaurant in Soho sees me cabbing all over town, along with some impressive running in my BCBG platforms to make the table. Thankfully I arrive just in time, and as we're seated Dita Von Teese sashays past our table. Stunning! Then, as our food is served up (salads all round, natch!), we spot Courteney Cox standing by the door chatting on her mobile. Obviously, this results in a loooong, drawn-out late lunch as we snack and ogle.
DAY 5: Papping with Kelly Osbourne
It's my final day in the big city and my last show is at 10am. I rush to get ready and head over to the Badgley Mischka show. As soon as I enter the Lincoln Centre I have to edge my way through the crowds to get to the theatre and realise that I should expect almost the same kind of turnout as I saw at DVF. The fash pack are dripping in labels and swathed in furs, and anyone who's anyone in NY style circles is here. As I pass the runway to get to my seat, I see the photogs going crazy, and look around to see the legendary Joan Rivers sashaying down the catwalk. Joan pops herself down next to a silver-haired Kelly Osbourne, who had managed to make a more inconspicuous entrance.
The Badgley Mischka A/W12 range pairs sequins and chiffons, teamed with furs against a winter wonderland backdrop. It's clearly a huge hit as the crowd applauds wildly until the guys come on to take a bow. Kelly and Joan are escorted down the runway and I manage to get a sneaky snap of Ms O myself. What a great end to an amazing five days! The shows were awesome, the fashion was incredible and the adrenaline from the atmosphere will last me a lifetime. I end my trip wrapped up against the elements seeing the sights of New York; the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Plaza and The Statue of Liberty.
Roll on September for next season!
