The End of Fashion Week F/W 2011

Today marked the end of the busiest week of the year in this crazed industry... Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Designers scurried around their work rooms, the country, and even internationally to prepare their collections for months in advance. Just imagine: all this work for a 10 minute show!

I was delighted to have the opportunities to help the preparation for two shows this season: Daniel Vosovic & B. Michael America. For Daniel's show, I ushered people outside to minimize confusion of the distinction of two shows that were right back to back next door. In the meantime, I had a mini "celeb" moment when I saw "Miss J" Alexander from America's Next Top Model. I was shocked at how tall he is! The show was at the Metropolitan Pavilion on W. 18th. Daniel had a fabulous set up, including leaves on the runway! After ushering outside, I got to pick a seat in the audience. Here are almost all of the looks from the show. (Excuse my iPhone's incapability to capture great action shots.)

Of course, being Jen Danczak, I just had to miss the last dress.... and let me tell you, it was phenomenal! It was a gray/white patterned dress with some cutouts. Choker collared, old fashioned "vintage" looks filled the runway, along with some prints. He did a phenomenal job!

The B. Michael America show was hosted at the lavish Plaza Hotel. I helped out backstage prepping the models and keeping the looks in their tip-top shape. A cocktail party took place before the show, and it sure seemed like everyone had a blast! My model only had one outfit change, so I helped call the models making sure they were in line and ready to go when it was their turn to hit the runway after their "dress changes." It was my second show working for B. Michael America, and I sure hope I can help with their charity event next month!

This season was definitely a memorable one. The great Michael Kors (really, he's great. I met him in the Fall) celebrated his 30th year as an incredible designer. Patricia Field turned 70 years old and hosted a Valentine's costume ball that was hosted by Kelly Cutrone. (another wonderful industry woman. One of my LIM College friends volunteered at this event.) Many designers, such as Marc Jacobs (love him) had live feeds streaming from the internet on their websites that could be seen from viewers at home. Talk about having Lincoln Center (or State Armory for Jacobs) right at the tip of your fingers! The most prominent trends that were seen this past week were mostly 70's, prints, leopard, fur, and of course elegant gowns. Once I get more information from the press and more photos pour in, I will keep you updated straight from the runway!

My final experiences with Fashion Week S/S '11

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for the Spring/Summer 2011 collections has come to a close, and what an experience it has been. I ended up working four shows- Silvio Liu, Indashio, Keep Me (and another one, both ran by People's Revolution), and B. Michael.

I blogged about Silvio Liu and Indashio in a previous post. The two shows ran by People's Revolution were obviously my most exciting shows that I worked. If anyone reading this doesn't know what People's Revolution is.. I don't even know where to begin. Not only is it the number one PR firm in the industry, but  ran by one of the most real women in fashion, Kelly Cutrone. I ran into Kelly again backstage at the Toni Francesc show at Lincoln Center:

myself and the Kelly Cutrone

I only got one picture from the 'two for one' show I worked for People's Rev.

not very good quality, but here is a picture I took from the "Keep Me" show

Guests at the show involved Diane Von Furstenberg, Andre Leon Talley, Russell Simmons, and more. "All American Rejects" lead singer Tyson Ritter was also a model for the show. Before the show started, I put together gift bags and ran whatever errands the management needed me to do. Once the show started, I didn't have any other tasks to do so I watched the show, and I watched Kelly work her magic as she directed from the back of the room.

From being in contact with her assistants, I got to attend the Toni Francesc show and also the Davidelfin show. Both were held at Lincoln Center, the new home of fashion week. (The subway station nearby is actually going to be named the Fashion Line.) Toni was actually in the audience for Davidelfin's show. Toni Francesc based his show on an "urban jungle." I got to sit third row! Here are some pictures:

For the Davidelfin show, I sat second row. Here are some pictures from the show:

The final show that I worked for the week was B. Michael America's show at the Plaza Hotel. I seated guests and ran around the city looking for ribbon. (the perks of being a volunteer.) "B's" collection was to raise awareness for the Haiti benefit, and even had Miss Haiti 2010 as a model for his show. Very inspiring!

second row at the B. Michael show after working it beforehand.

Miss Haiti 2010

So now that the Spring/Summer collections for 2011 are done, everyone in the fashion industry has to wait another six months for the craziest week of the year. What an experience it has been, but this is only the beginning.

my friend Corey and myself

My first two Fashion Week experiences.

Thursday, September 9th- the very first day to kick off fashion week, and the very first time I got to help at a legit New York Fashion Week show- Silvio Liu. 10:30 A.M. was my call time and I was there until about 4. Arriving was a challenge since I didn't expect Shop Studios to be at such a hidden place! I dressed a few models, watched the show, helped out the models as they stood on the boxes, and helped put shoes and jewelry back where they belonged. The owner, Danny Liu, and the designer, Brian Hood, are both intelligent up-and-coming businessmen in the fashion industry.. and I would most certainly love to meet with them again.

dressing and assisting models for the Silvio Liu show.

Last night was my second volunteer opportunity- working "front of the house" at the Indashio show at the Met Pavilion. I got out of class, caught a "taxi" (was actually a biker) and ran through Times Square & Union Square in the pouring rain thinking I was late... but nope. I was an hour early. At least it was all worth it. I made up the gift bags for the first row of seats, went to the store to get Red Bull, and stood and waited to seat people. This other student from FIT and I were the ones closest to the door, which means we helped the most people. Among the audience, it was said, was Amber Rose (Kanye West's ex-girlfriend, who was modeling), P.Diddy's mother, Angelina from "Jersey Shore", and Reco Chapple from "the Fashion Show."

Reco Chapple (from "the Fashion Show") and myself, taken at my school.

After I finish up my classes, I get to go to the Toni Francesc show tonight! Not only that, but I get to attend the after-party. How? I owe it to the Kelly Cutrone, who gave it all to me for free when I met her the other week. She's truly a fabulous lady. Can't wait to blog about it! Stay tuned.

Countdown to the Runway- Fashion Week is here!

Thursday, September 9th is the day that starts the busiest week of the year in this industry- Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. It's finally here!

Designers, models, and other industry leaders are running around as I type this getting ready for this bi-annual spectacular event. Months and even years of preparation go into this week.. all for 7 days. Fashion Week is the chance for famous designers (and rising stars) to show their collections on the runway. The cities that host this event are located in the four fashion capitals of the world- New York City, London, Milan, and Paris. New York kicks it off every year- Fall/Winter collections showing in the Spring, and Spring/Summer collections showing in the fall. It helps show everybody what styles are "in" and "out."

Famous designers expected to show are- Betsey Johnson, Calvin Klein, Diane Von Furstenberg (love her),  Michael Kors (meeting him Fashion's Night Out- *featured on my next blog*),  Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger, Vera Wang, and many more. The season finale of the show "Project Runway" also is going to be filmed here, just like previous seasons. The two finalists showcase their collections in Fashion Week- the ultimate for the aspiring designers.

Fashion Week in Bryant Park, 2009

This year's show is much different than all other years. Why? Fashion Week has moved from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center. Bryant Park has been the home to this event since 1993- It's known as the fashion place. Before the move, all the designers left final words on the entrance expressing their views of the move and how Bryant Park has made New York the fashion capital of the world. The move is due to a pro-longed controversy between park management and the designers- the event was getting in the way of the skating rink and public use of the lawn.

Fashion Week is the most exciting and stressful week for all of the fashion industry around the world, and I am in the heart of it all- especially once I show up at Lincoln Center next week. Why? Because I have the honor of being a part of Fashion Week this year. I'm a volunteer- I'll be helping to dress models backstage September 14th. I could not be more excited to finally be a part of something so extravagant that makes this city what it is.

Lincoln Center, the new home of Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek

..and all the hardwork comes down to this.
Let the shows begin!


(images from Google & some info from Wikipedia)