Day Three of Fashion Week and I woke up with the most gruesome dark circles under my eyes, so I used tons of concealer and prayed that everyone would think I spent last night going to fabulous parties, rather than stomping around the all-night Walgreen’s at 2 am in my 5 inch heels buying milk because I haven’t been home in days and my kids still need to eat.
Today was my A-list invitation, Carolina Herrera, so I pulled out the big guns from my closet–a black knit Kay Unger suit with pleated skirt and self-belted jacket, and my “good bag,” a black Louis Vuitton Suhali Fabuleux.
I accessorized with an estate piece chain mail necklace with dangling crystals and a chic cuff bracelet my mom brought me back from vacation, following Nina Garcia’s advice to add very personal items to the mix.
At the last minute, I switched the pair of Tahari grey flannel stacked heel round-toed Mary Janes I was planning to wear to a pair of bronze knee-high boots I bought at Payless last year. Why? Because I get tons of compliments on them and I knew I could run in them, which is always iffy in brand new shoes. My hair was up in a wet chignon because I didn’t have time to do anything better with it.
Traffic was hideous today and by the time I got into the city it was already 9:50 and the show was slated to start at 10:00. For a moment I seriously contemplated abandoning my car (“Hello? Mazda American Credit? I’m ending my lease early and you can pick up your vehicle at the exit to the Lincoln Tunnel…”), but sanity won out.
However, I lost 15 minutes finding a parking garage, and at 10:05 I had to seriously sprint. Suddenly I found myself pacing a small Italian woman in black who looked like an editor and was carrying the same invitation in her hand. She told me, “It won’t start until 10:30 so we should be okay!” I explained to her it was my first year at Fashion Week, and she said, “Always wear flats, and never take any handouts until the show is over or your hands will be full and you won’t be able to take pictures.”
Carolina Herrera “Sasha”
Inside the tent we got separated, as she had a seating assignment and I was standing-room only. Imagine my disappointment when the security guards declared the show was too full and no one without a seat was getting in! I’d practically killed myself trying to get here, it was my best invitation ever and now I was shut out.
Carolina Herrera Behati suede dress!
I wanted to cry but a kindly security guard told me I could watch the show on a monitor from the lobby, so that’s what I did…planted myself at his side and watched on TV, hoping to also photograph some celebrities on their way out.
Carolina Herrera “Magdalena ” dress
Carolina Herrera was full of skirts of all lengths, floral prints, circular graphics and featured lots of red and black.
Carolina Herrera “Lily” dress
The standout look was an asymmetrical black, red, white and gray floor-length gown that looked like it was constructed out of very chic bandages. In the meantime, people in the lobby were lining up for Nanette Lepore.
When the crowds let out I thought I might have to leave, but my friend the security guard was busy with people trying to storm the barriers and he knew I wasn’t going to give him any trouble so he let me stay. (My dad is a retired fireman and a lot of his friends work security at top events, which is my personal secret for getting VIP treatment!)
I was rewarded with a glimpse of Ivana Trump, who looks exactly like she did in the 80’s, same hairstyle and all, but whose handler whisked her past me too fast to get a picture.
Next I saw Leon Hall, who I used to love on “Fashion Emergency”, and finally, I got a good shot of Annie Lebowitz when she stopped to chat with a friend.
Annie Leibowitz!
My luck was changing, so I decided to push it and see if I could find a way to get in to Nanette Lepore.
Next: How To Get Into Nanette Lepore Without An Invitation By Sweet-Talking Her Mom!
Nancy Lichtenstein
