Skip to main content

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011, Day 1

Photo credit: Tracy E. Hopkins
A funny thing happened to me on the way to my first show at Fashion Week's new location at Lincoln Center.  I discovered that my new shoes -- a cute pair of black suede flats with a slight wedge heel (okay, they're from Payless, so they're not that major) -- were too big.

I'd already made a few last minute wardrobe changes and under estimated the time it would take me to get from downtown Brooklyn to Lincoln Center.  Bryant Park was a breeze and takes about 20 minutes.  Lincoln Center is farther uptown, so that adds another 10 minutes to my commute. So I was running late for Christian Siriano's S/S 2011 runway presentation.  But adrenaline kicked in and somehow I kept my shoes on long enough to catch the train.  I arrived and scurried across the grand plaza, past the iconic fountain.  "This is different," I thought.

Thankfully one thing that hasn't changed are the burly security guards who have been working the shows long before I started attending Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week four or five seasons ago. "Christian Siriano?" I asked, hurriedly and a little out of breath.  "Right this way. You have plenty of time," one of the friendly guards reassured.

Me on the Lincoln Center Plaza.
Inside, the lobby/lounge area of the Lincoln Center tents is more spacious.  There are a couple courtyards where guests can mix, mingle, and sip delish Kim Crawford wine.  The entire exterior is more modern and polished.  Because of a partnership with Fashion GPS, attendees can do a self-service check-in similar to the airport by scanning the bar code on their email invitation or press credential to print out a seat assignment.  I scanned mine.  "Standing."  Some things never change.

Glorious fluff at Christian Siriano's show.
Well, at least I didn't have to fight my way through a sea of fashion insiders and wannabes to get to a young blonde with a clip board in order to get "S" on an index card.  To Lincoln Center's credit, there's a lot more breathing room and the lines are more orderly.   In a way, however, that dilutes Fashion Week and makes it less personal.  Another writer commented that part of the fun at Bryant Park was "standing shoulder-to-shoulder," body-odor and all with other guests.

I guess I shouldn't complain considering I got into the show, which was fabulous by the way (read more about Christian's fierce urban safari collection in my Fashion Week Examiner column), and found a comfortable, padded seat.  This was the opposite of my first attempt to see a Christian Siriano show a couple seasons ago, which resulted in the standing room line being shut down after we'd waited for more than an hour.

Thanks to a few glasses of vino and a couple bags of Pop Chips, by the end of Day 1 my shoes no longer bothered me.  And I almost didn't miss Bryant Park.  Almost.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Conway Discount Clothing Chain Closing in New York City

It's the end of an era. Conway discount stores are closing . As of this weekend, a sign on the sole Herald Square location (34th Street btwn 7th and 8th Ave) says the store will close in "7 Days." Before I relocated to New York City, I was introduced to the discount chain while on a bus trip from Baltimore.  I recall the first time I saw Conway's signature pink bags carried by hurried shoppers in midtown. And Miss Foster, the trip organizer and a bargain hunter from way back, took me to the store for the first time. Conway store in the Fulton Mall./Tracy E. Hopkins When I moved here in 1994, my love affair with Conway continued.  I furnished my first apartment with discount knick-knacks and home goods from the store.  And much to my chagrin, in hindsight, I curated most of my wardrobe for my first full-time job from the long-shuttered 42nd Street and Third Avenue store. One regretful ensemble: Lime green and white checkered pants with a matching lime green
Post a Comment
Read more

Soak Up the Last Weeks of Summer Sun At The Rockaway Hotel

Summer is winding down, but there's still time to soak up the sun -- while wearing sunscreen, chic shades and a protective hat or sun visor, of course. If you're in New York City, The Pool at The Rockaway Hotel + Spa  is a cool place to swim, lounge and discreetly people watch while swaying to beat of ambient music.  It's a vibe! Day passes are available for non-hotel guests Monday through Thursday (excluding private events, 10 am -7 pm).  Located in the heart of the Rockaway Beach community in Queens, New York, the Rockaway Hotel is just a few short blocks from the sand and surf. Besides the outdoor pool,  the  newly built 84,000 square foot hotel offers around 60 guest rooms, a restaurant, a rooftop bar, and a large event space. And it's a nice addition to the area.  When my husband and I visited the popular pool, we enjoyed yummy sips and bites poolside. Lounging chairs are first come, first serve so the early bird gets the spot of their choice. After chilling at t
Post a Comment
Read more

SEE Eyewear Opens a New Brooklyn Store

Whoever said guys don't make passes at girls who wear glasses hasn't  seen SEE Eyewear . The eclectic eyewear brand offers fashionable yet affordable prescription and non-prescription  eyeglasses  and sunglasses.  SEE stocks a limited quantity of each pair of its unique glasses (about 80), so you probably won't run  into another subway rider rocking the same specs.  Recently, SEE opened a new store in the hipster-hangout  Williamsburg  section of Brooklyn and  Everything She Wants  got a sneak peek.  The new Brooklyn store is located on Bedford Avenue and Everything She Wants readers will receive a 20 percent discount in-store with the code "BEDFORDAVE."  I was gifted my first pair of designer reading glasses with no-glare lenses to protect me from eye-straining computer use.  There are so many cool styles, it was hard to pick just one. But I narrowed my favorites down to three, and ultimately selected a chic pair of cat eye, tortoise shell frames. I can
Post a Comment
Read more