I just moved to New York roughly a month ago— and I’ve gotten a chance to experience New York Fashion Week. The New School gave out tickets in exchange for helping the fashion line prepare for the show. The brand was Flying Solo, a collective of designers from around the world. Seeing the brand’s amazing style, I took the opportunity and was ready to go.
It was an overwhelming experience, and I’m here to tell you all about it.
The night before the show I received an email that I was required to wear all black, as it is the dress code for all volunteers and crews. I was already about to wear a sensational all-red outfit, but I agreed. I wore an off-the-shoulder top matched with a long skirt with silver glitter woven into the material. I figured a small loophole to still bring some color into my outfit, and it was to wear my red raincoat that is not only functional, (it was a rainy day!) but also very stylish. I completed the look by wearing gold accessories.
The show took place in Studio 59 at Chelsea Piers. I checked in and started helping by organizing the gift bags and labeling the seating numbers for the guests. When we finished, they instructed us to wait until 3 PM to assist guests into the venue and find their seats. During this time, it started getting chaotic because there were too many guests and limited seating. Many people did not get seats and ended up standing up in the back in the end rows. In the interim, a few guests approached me to say hi, complimented each other’s outfits and discussed their jobs. I told them I was just a college student but we talked about the fashion industry.
Once the show starts, we were done with our jobs and moved to the last row to watch the show.
The show was amazing! The show ran for half an hour and all the outfits were to die for. Thanks to my chunky boots, I could see the show clearly and snapped many pictures. Here are my personal favorite looks:
The show was eclectic, dazzling, and all the fun adjectives you can ever think of. You can clearly distinguish each designer’s personal style, but as a collective, they all fit so well and compliment each other throughout the whole show. Many of these looks are also collaborations between two or three designers. The show was filled with looks that were designed for people who wanted to stand out; whether it was the use of bright colors, unique materials or the grandness of design. Big hats, check. One of a kind shoes, check. Intricately patterned coats, check.
After the show, everyone went out of the show venue for a post-show social with drinks and music. I stayed for a while to see what it was like. I met Sheila again, who was in charge of us students pre-show. She told me that she had rejected some volunteers before I came because they had more than enough but she was impressed by my outfit so she definitely had to let me in. “Dressing for the job” became the topic of conversation, and Sheila introduced me to some designers. I started growing some connections and shared contacts with one another.
While it may be short— I learned from the experience that passion is the most important thing. When all the designers walked together in the runway when the show ended, the crowd cheered and the confetti blasted. The room was filled with joy and love, everyone appreciating the work this collective had put in. Outside, the people I talked with showed their passion for the work that they are doing. The fashion industry is difficult. You really have to take each step of the job seriously. As a designer, you have to show that you want to step up and lead the industry. As a writer or blogger, you must really come with a passion for the shows and pay attention. The pictures you see on Instagram is just the tip of the iceberg. It is not about luxury, but about the craft, creativity and artistry for all the pieces made. One of the designers told me that the show should have run longer but there were mishaps during the outfit changes and 30 looks ended up not being shown. It looks complete and perfect through the eyes of the audience, but it was chaotic backstage. In the end, what’s important is that each designer showed at least a few of their looks and the feedback from the audience was great. It was a successful show overall, and I can’t wait to experience more of the fashion industry in the upcoming months. And for NYFW, see you in February!
Flying Solo’s Store is located on: 434 West Broadway, New York, NY 10012