I had to pee so bad.
(that’s how all great blog posts start, right?)
It was the first day of NYFW and I had already forgotten about my obligatory human duties like consuming food and taking bathroom breaks.
We walked into the Skylight Moynihan Station around 2:20 pm – thank goodness all these shows always run fashionably late. I was going to stand to get a better view, but I threw the towel in.
My aching feet were screaming at me to sit down from trekking around in these pointed toe, ankle strapped heels (at least they’re sparkly, which helps equilibrate things). My bladder probably wasn’t going to hold up for another fifteen minutes (if it did start anytime soon). My passionate, world dominating heart was fading from running on 3 hours of sleep as my head shamingly said, “it’s just another fashion show”.
I was one of those influencers that I pledged not to be on our car ride up. Catching up on Instagram comments. Stressing about how behind I was on my inbox. Fretting about how I was going to make it through the week’s events and keep myself – and my team – sane.
The beat of the music started to play. My head stayed down.
And then, through the corner of my eye I saw that first eggplant gown – double thigh slights and all – draping the courageous front-running model. It lit me up. My attention never wavered the rest of the show.
I could see myself in every single one of these dresses – whether it was on the red carpet, or twirling around in my living room. Each element of the collection was symbolizing everything I’m currently struggling with to place in my business and life – and it was put into a visual narrative I could comprehend.
The structure, the flow, the delicacy, the boldness, the darkness, the strength, the beauty, the calm, the chaos, the appreciation for classic, but dedication to innovation. It was everything I want to represent in my brand and I can’t seem to pull all together. But Michael Costello did it.
Effortless, flowing, deep plum toned numbers topped with extravagant floral crowns led way wine colored looks with structure that was accented with an eye-catching metallic rose pattern (one even worn by a 5 year old first time model).
Next came rich, dark pine hued gowns that glittered with glory followed by a mix of polished noir looks in between risqué reds. The collection concluded with celebrity status black garments layered with sheer fabrics and embellished with rich floral accents in the jewel toned palette seen earlier throughout the lineup.
While visions of Beyoncé slaying the red carpet danced in the heads of most attendees (concluding from the already posted coverage of the lavish collection from bloggers and big media players alike), what I saw were suggestive inspirations on how every day women, from the likes of the run down entrepreneur, to the stay at home mom and boardroom CEO could utilize fashion to enhance their quality of living.
Fashion is a multidimensional art form that holds so much inspiration for other areas of our existence, but most of all, it’s a way to physically communicate. Every movement, every action, every shape you make, every garnish you assemble yourself which establishes the physical space we’re each allotted to show this world what we’re made of – an opportunity to express your story and an empowering method of fitting life to you.
Fit is at the heart of fashion. Not staying fit, rather supporting your own fit. And by fit, I don’t mean how tight your booty has gotten from your sessions at barre or the toned abs you’ve noticed from engaging your bhandas at yoga. By fit, I mean all of the different components of your life – your interests, passions, beliefs, goals – and how they fit together.
We spend so much time conforming to what we’re supposed to do, what we’re supposed to wear, what we’re supposed to be. We forget that many things – clothes, workouts, schedules – are actually about integrating tangents of life into what fits for us. Not the other way around.
I challenge you to alter your definition of fit from something that you either fit in or not, to something that conforms for you, fits to you, is made for you, that applies directly and beneficially to you, just as you are.
If you need more structure, wearing a look with structured shoulders will help bring that towards you. Mentally and energetically, wearing structure will make you feel more structured which will in turn attact more structure.
If you need flow, find a maxi dress that has a flow to it that inspires you. Feel the flow in your look to embody it elsewhere in your life.
Falling short on gracefulness (not the falling down the steps grace deficiency, but the kind where you feel parts of your life slipping and falling down the steps one by one)? Add lace in somewhere to remind you that some things are delicate, but that doesn’t mean their beauty should be any less appreciated. It can even be lace paneling in your yoga pants, that totally counts.
If you have certain colors that resonate with you, incorporate them into your wardrobe. I love jewel tones (I’m sure you had no idea). They have a rich boldness to them that is so elegant, thus my branding is jewel toned. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that everything I buy these days seems to hit within that palette. And it’s not intentional either. It’s what I’m drawn towards, what makes me feel most inline. It’s a way I can represent both myself and my brand as I’m walking through the world.
Feeling extra bold today? Instead of leaving your boldness at home or at your workspace, use your outfit to sustain it by trying an eye-catching bracelet. I’m loving the Union Square Wide Stretch Bracelet from Carolee!
Daring to wear something different, to wear something that demonstrates who you are or what you need in your life takes effort. Like you’re sharing a side of you that you’re not sure you’re necessarily ready to present to the world. It takes more skin in the game than a uniform and it takes a great deal of dedication to intention.
If you hang out around here, you’ve probably heard me say that when your overwhelmed, physically organizing something is one of the best things you can do to reset your brain in the organizational state. Fashion works the same way and this show reminded me of that. It gives you a physical way to hold on to and pull yourself closer towards what you’re striving for.
Are you using your wardrobe to support the story of yourself you tell through your brand? If so, how? Tell me below!
Can’t wait to hear from you! <3