New York Fashion Week: Milk Studios

The Scene
Last month, a work trip to NYC for Social Media Week (nerd-asorus!) just happened to coincide with Fashion Week (chic-asorus!). Which meant Jean Bean was also going to be in town to cover all the shows for Neiman Marcus (YAY-asorus!!!!!!!!!!)



 I got to the city two days before my conference started and was basically "on call" for whatever show she could nab extra tickets.



Got a text from her Saturday afternoon that the Erin Fetherston presentation at Milk Studios was a go! Thank gawd for a bff who brings me as her plus one!




The clothes were ethereal, girly and extremely wearable---quintessential ERIN. The gorgeous but sullen looking models were a bit of a downer tho. We kept joking they were sooooo "Virgin Suicides."

The cool thing about Milk Studios is that you can wander from presentation to presentation in the same building. No need to suffer the 30 degree weather outside. No need to look like a yeti.





Jean Bean and I stumbled upon Dean Quinn's presentation down the hall from Erin! The vibrant colors, sexy shapes and smoky smize-ing eyes! LOVED!

Next door we found another stunning presentation by Oslwald Helagson. Incredible styling. Particularly loved the dainty bags with the chunky shoes and frankly, ALL THAT COLOR.

Oswald might be the next big thing judging by the fashion star sightings we had at his presentation: THE blogger of all bloggers, Susie Bubble (where Jean Bean's eyes are pointing!) 

And flame-haired Taylor Tomasi Hill in the neon jeans.

After spotting those two street style juggernauts, I had a moment of silence, thanking the fashion gods and Jean Bean for making my NYFW experience complete.

The Outfit
American Apparel liquid leggings and tights
Harrod's crew neck cashmere sweater
White thermal
Forever 21 furry vest
French Connection hooded army coat

The Accessories
Forever 21 necklace and bracelets
Louis Vuitton bag
Brass Plum infinity scarf
H&M hat
Hunter wellies

The Grade
F

The Commentary
I've gotten better at packing for New York in the last few years. The trick is layering and bringing the right shoes. But this time, having to pack for Social Media Week business events AND Fashion Week fun events? Forget about it. And oh, did I mention it was forecasted to be around 30 degrees in NYC most of my 10 day trip with a mix of rain and wintery mix? F my life and my carry-on.




I knew I'd packed all wrong when I got to Jean's hotel room and she had all this well-edited fabulousness. Instantly felt like a country mouse. Wah wah wah.

She'd brought functional boots that were Gucci not Wellies

Her gloves were gilded. I'd forgotten mine all together like a California rookie.

Consoled myself with the fact that she'd lived in NYC and dressed for the weather for a decade plus, during that time, it's been part of her job description to pack for fashion shows all over the world.



Had to make due with some fun accessories to jazz up the boring, functional basics I'd packed.

Should have repeated the Missoni for Tarjay sweater, floppy J Lo hat, burgundy jeans and fur collar combo I'd donned the night before for dinner and drinks with Mr. NBC. Infinitely chicer than the slop I ended up wearing to Milk Studios. F.

You live and you learn and you drink to forget...

The Inspiration

Christian Louboutin at Neiman Marcus

The Scene

Um, so the very next month after I get my first pair of Louboutins, Jean Bean asks me to interview Mr. Louboutin for NM Daily. 

If that's not a sign from the (fashion) gods that my red soles are on the right path, I don't know what is ;) 

In 25 years, I have never seen Neiman Marcus transform their venerable BH store for a designer like they did for Louboutin's 20th anniversary. The shoe department rolled out the red carpet, gilded furniture and graffiti covered walls (a collaboration with a local artist that was part of the promotion campaign Neiman's created for the event.) 

There was even a blank wall where shoppers could scrawl their own love notes to Louboutin. Ladies who lunch tagging a wall was probably my favorite sight of the day.

As you can imagine, I was super excited to meet the man, the myth. He was absolutely lovely and gracious. Not really the over-the-top character I expected based on interviews I've read. 

Sadly, I only got exactly two minutes with him---in the elevator as we walked out to greet this sea of adoring, well-heeled customers. 

It was the most efficient interview of my life---had to be. 

And, frankly, it was fitting: I got about as much time with him as all the women who had lined up for hours to get his autograph. 

The meet-and-greet went twice as long as planned: that's how many fans showed up, that's how gracious Mr. Louboutin was.

Cali loves Christian and Christian loves Cali. 

The Shoes

Here's the 20th anniversary capsule collection.

Shoes as weapons 

Boots with pockets = winners!

These sluts were my totally impractical faves. Can you imagine the life a woman who buys these leads.  GLAMOUR!

These were my favorite practical studs for the life I actually lead. 

This is the only way stores should display Louboutins: on mirrors so you can see those soles. YUM.

This is the only thing more delicious than Louboutin on a silver tray. 

Yes, I snarfed a popover at Mariposa when I was done with my "work." Let's get real about why I freelance for Neiman's :)

The Outfit

DVF vintage dress

The Accessories

Christian Louboutin peep toes

Chanel bag and earrings

LA fashion district necklace and ring

Forever 21 bracelets

The Grade

B

 

The Commentary

For this look, obviously I built the outfit around the shoes. Pulled a lot of options that worked with my Loubies. Mostly DVF. Makes sense since Diane and Christian are both very much about unbridled femininity and well, sex. Wanted to keep it professional though, or as Jean Bean put it: "Journalism Barbie." 

Opted for the red DVF since red is the Louboutin signature color. Felt obese but what can a popover lover do. Tried to distract from the hips with the Schiap lipstick and the big gold necklace. 

Also picked the dress because the print felt kinda graffiti.  Added the ring for a little matchy-matchy, contrasty pop.

Wish I had had these Louboutins to pair with the look. How perfect would they have been. The wearer was over 60.  My shero. 

The whole event was a dream for fashion fetishists like me.  This was one of my have head-to-toe looks.

And I stopped counting Celine bags after the 10th one I saw. I still want one. Am I stupid?

But the best shoe awards goes to Mr. Louboutin's staff. As we chatted in the hours before the appearance, my eyes would inevitably wander down to their feets.

And every pair I peeped was better than the next. This is one of Msr. Louboutin's PR directors. What a job. 

I almost had a heart attack watching these two men talk to each other.

I wonder what their discount is and how long I have to be friends with them to ask them to help a blogger out.