Every year in September, the streets of New York adopt a rhythm that pulses to the beat of stilettos, as the most fashionable people in the world congregate to watch beautiful people walk around in beautiful clothes. While the runways themselves reside within very exclusive areas, one could say that the entire city—from the downtown Chelsea all the way to the Upper-East Side—becomes a quasi runway, equally indicative of what is “in.” This is New York Fashion Week.
Models, designers, and marketing professionals gather under chic tents to predict and create up-and-coming trends. This is where major department stores decide which brands to add to their inventory, where fashion analysts make or break the careers of designers, and where models can go from hundreds to millions of followers in the course of a few hours. We may not realize it, but all the apparel that we see, buy, and wear has in some way been affected by the coalition of people under those tents. This year, one of Oakton’s very own sat among that crowd, and be a part of the world-renowned phenomena that is #NYFW.
Senior, Nathalia Rojas, had the opportunity to attend many shows, including Mark and Estel, Zimmermann, August Getty, Lacoste, Lie Sangbong, Fashion Shenzhen and Mara Hoffman. Rojas gained access to the exclusive spectacle because her family has been deeply involved in the fashion world for a long time; connections with everyone from writers from teen Vogue to creative directors at Chanel helped make this dream possible.
“I’ve had a passion for as long as I can remember, because I’ve always been around it,” said Rojas, “both my grandma and grandpa design and own their own store in Botega, Colombia… I grew up with it and have loved it ever since.”
Rojas has a diverse taste in fashion, torn between Lacoste and Mark and Estel as her favorite two designers. According to Rojas, Kylie Jenner’s fashion sense best encompasses the trends that she would like to mimic, claiming that she typically goes for a bohemian, Californian look. Fashion is one of the core centerpieces of Rojas’ life, and attending fashion week only accentuated that.
“The energy and vibes were phenomenal; inside and outside the Mercedes-Benz building were photo shoots going on and [fashion bloggers updating]. It was amazing.” Rojas said.
There truly is nothing like it. Despite its classic tradition, Fashion Week is evolving into something that has become interactive with the average consumer (or fashion enthusiast), and is now extending its appeal to those who wish to emulate runway looks. Twitter, Instagram, and online journalism have given the average person—such as myself—the opportunity to sit front row at the shows of their choosing. One can view Marc Jacobs’ entire line via Vogue’s easy-to-access, digital slide shows, and virtually sit next to model sisters, Bella and Gigi Hadid, by following them on Instagram (@Bellahadid, @gigihadid – respectively). And it gets even easier: open Snapchat, and find a seemingly endless stream of selfies and videos from models, designers, critics, and celebrities. Mixing all of this media makes it easy to create a multi-dimensional way to take part in all the action, without having to leave your suburban, Northern Virginia home.
But don’t take my word for it; see for yourself:
Personally, my favorite compilation of pictures from the week is a series of Vogue candids taken backstage, between, and during shows, because it really gives an authentic look at the delightful chaos that goes into the creative process. Vogue street style is another example of that kind of authenticity, turning the lens to the show’s audience, giving outsiders a taste of what fashion-show-goers wear. Diane Von Furstenberg’s line was by far my favorite, and you can see it here, as well as collections from more designers than one could imagine.
It doesn’t stop at the end of the week; it merely relocates. After New York is London, and after London is Milan, and on and on. Models and designers caravan like the Cirque de Soliele, giving the world’s major merchandizing cities a taste of what will later trickle into the wardrobes of those who inhabit them.
