My First Fashion Week: Part 2

Noel takes us with her on Days 2 and 3 of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, when she saw the Nicole Miller show, party-hopped for FNO, and snagged a few words backstage with Vivienne Tam.

After sleeping in, I was revved up again for my second day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week—and Fashion’s Night Out! I rushed over to the downtown venue for Nicole Miller’s show, only to realize that fashion shows don’t usually start on time anyways. Oh, and I tripped and fell flat on my face while walking over. In flat shoes. I may as well have worn heels. I loved the criss-cross straps on many of the pieces in the collection—in addition to the clean cuts, sheers, and neutral shades. I’m all for the ladylike look; my mother would approve, after all.

I didn’t attend Fashion’s Night Out last year because I was sick, but this year I had a great time! However, by the time my friends and I arrived at the Ace Hotel for Opening Ceremony’s Parisian flea market, there was a line stretching around the block. Instead of making our way further downtown, we headed to the Upper East Side where we posed with male models at Bloomingdale’s, ate candy at Dylan’s Candy Bar—and most importantly, attended our friend’s private birthday celebration on the second floor of Missoni!

The Missoni print on the Pellegrino bottles was too precious and there were three varieties of birthday cake, in addition to an ice cream bar by Glorious Food! Being the glutton that I am, I sampled all three cakes. There’s something dangerous about eating messy food while surrounded by beautiful clothes, but when you have delicious food and fun fashion on Friday night—what more could you ask for?

On Day 3, Noel braved the backstage perils of MBFW!

Being backstage at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is frazzling and disorienting. Within the first 10 seconds of walking in, I spotted some of my most favorite models, such as Bonnie Chen (why are some people born with perfect legs and bone structure?!). After the initial shock wore off, I proceeded to focus on the matter at hand—finding Vivienne Tam herself.

My obsession with Vivienne Tam goes back to elementary school when Asian-American fashion designers, such as Phillip Lim and Alexander Wang, weren’t as prominent—or existent—as they are now. For a brief while, I wanted to be a fashion designer, and whenever someone would ask me if there were any fashion designers I wanted to model myself after, I named Vivienne Tam. She was and still is one of the most prominent pioneering Asians in the fashion industry.

I was pleased to discover that she’s not that much taller than myself, and I was lucky enough to snag a few minutes with her. One thing I love about her is how she embraces the American fashion industry while remaining loyal to her Asian roots. I saw famous Chinese fashion editors backstage—in addition to the Korean pop music group, the Wonder Girls, whom I also spotted earlier at Concept Korea.

“I always go back to Hong Kong and China every few months,” she said, “I will always return and I love it there. The fashion industry is the same everywhere— Hong Kong, New York. I feel at home anywhere.” She proceeded to ask for more lipstick as she posed for the cameras. And as I walked away with my little digital voice recorder, I couldn’t help but admire her poise in the midst of pre-show madness. Check back tomorrow for more, mes amis!

ideeli at MBFW: Day 2

It was up and at ‘em in the morning with the Tadashi Shoji presentation and the BCBGMAXAZRIA runway show, which were both full of gorgeously wearable pieces in softly flattering hues. At BCBGMAXAZRIA (check out our sale going on now!), we caught our first glance of Anna Wintour in the frow (front row!), looking flawless sans glasses but with a large bodyguard standing by. Kelly Rowland and Ashlee Simpson Wentz were also representing for the powerhouse design team of Max and Lubov Azria. On the runway, a parade of whites, pinks, grays, and blacks in fluttery layers had us wanting to pack the whole collection up and wear it someplace like Capri.

At Tadashi Shoji (also on sale today), celebs like Dania Ramirez (above) and Aisha Tyler were as transfixed as the rest of us with the designer's red carpet-ready cocktail and evening gowns. Unabashedly feminine, the collection didn't want for ruffles, sashes, soft hues. There was a desert-like feel to the color palette, which was mostly sand-toned with pops of lavender, periwinkle, and rose here and there. If one of these frocks doesn't pop up as someone's Hollywood awards ceremony ensemble of choice, we'll be incredibly surprised.

In the afternoon, we strolled from the office over to the Nicole Miller show in Soho, where we were lucky enough to hang with Noel Duan, our busy My First Fashion Week correspondent. Between catching up with Noel, we spied Perrey Reeves (so good on Entourage) and Cassie, both pictured above, as well as hotelier Andre Balazs. Miller’s collection had a menswear vibe we were digging, along with more soft, fluttery layers, which is looking like a major trend for next season.

And last but certainly not least, Fashion’s Night Out! We had to split up to cover all the celebratory happenings, one team downtown, and one up. Downtown, we strolled the madness of the Mercer Street block party, stopping in at Vivienne Tam, Paige Premium Denim, and witnessing the circus of Halle Berry leaving the Rag & Bone event. Total mob scene throughout Soho in the best sense of the word, with someone jokingly yelling “Free iPhones” outside the Apple store on Prince Street almost causing a stampede.

Uptown, we caught the glorious windows at Bergdorf Goodman, which were alive with what can only be described as fashion and art installations: a cabaret performer belting out Emo lounge tunes; Ed Tricomi of the famous Warren-Tricomi salon styling a model's hair in what can only be described as half haircut, half performance; and two designers deftly creating a ball gown of melted candle wax right before your eyes. Inside, the scene was just as surreal, as everyone from Victoria Beckham to Mary J. Blige to Heidi Klum flitted about.

After that, it was on to Henri Bendel, where we tried on gorgeous Tre rings, and tested nail colors with Liz Pickett, one half of one of our favorite nail polish lines, Ginger and Liz. Pooped as we were by the end of it all, we went home wishing Fashion's Night Out could happen every day.

Stay with us as we bring you the best of Day 3 tomorrow!

Fashion's Night Out, Photo Diary

 We can blog about Fashion's Night Out for the next week. But we won't. Here is a round up of some of our favorite pictures. We met the "taxi girls" outside of Alexander McQueen. Their clutches are neon powered.

Shameless self-promoters at the Ikea Lounge powered by The Geek Squad

Adorable sales people at Theory. What white shoes they have!

Dapper hat designers at Theory 

Japanese go-go dancers shredding it at Scoop

We were at the front of the press line at Stella McCartney but decided to leave after waiting a half hour for Kate Hudson to appear. Dumb move. She appeared as we walked away. I dove into the crowd and started snapping away. Thank heavens I am one tall drink of water.

Sipping Bubbly In A Louboutin Shoe

The Christian Louboutin window last night featured a couple drinking champagne from a worn Louboutin
shoe. Kinky! Not sure if I would take a sip.

Fashion's Night Out, Gwen

ideeli LOVES Gwen Stefani and her line L.A.M.B.. Gwen did her part last night supporting Fashion's Night Out at Bloomingdales. Who knew blue eyeshadow could look soooo good. 

Photo by Deirdre Sullivan