I went to Fashion Week.
I know, I couldnโt believe it either. ย A blessing and a wonderful opportunity.
You know, when I found out I had the opportunity to go, I was over the moon. ย Then I was nervous. ย I mean, are you ever reallyย readyย to absorb the inspiration? ย I mean, I had to pull it together. ย Seriously. ย Itโs more so fear of the unknown. ย It wonโt matter who tells you about whatโs going to happen or what you will encounter โ youโre going to to have a different experience. ย The experience is also different as a plus size woman. ย Sitting first or second row, we still worry about how we look, how weโll be photographed โ maybe even more so. ย Itโs real.
Iโm going to give you one lesson I carried with me all week: ย Be yourself. ย The best version of yourself. ย It will serve you well in every step you take.
There are so many different things happening. ย Different looks, different styles, different opportunities. ย By being yourself you tend to run into the best people, the best conversations. ย Itโs not a race to meet as many people as possible. ย Itโs more important to connect with a few people and have lasting conversations.
So many people will ask why and wonder why a plus-size woman would go. In other words, why are we there? ย How do we fit in? ย Where is our place in all of this? ย Of course my answer isย why not? Because you canโt paint, does that mean you donโt head to museums?
There is relevance in being everywhere. ย First of all, itโs important to show up. One of my favorite quotes by Woody Allen says that โ80% of success is showing up.โ ย That being said, itโs important to make an appearance. ย Not to mention, plus size in the designer world is often a 12 and above. ย It isnโt realistic to think plus size women arenโt interested in trends, fashion and being beautiful. ย Iโd like to think quite often weโre even more concerned with it because of how quickly people are to judge us โ just on size alone.
I went because I was invited by Marie and I trust her outlook on fashion and trends. ย I went because I love beauty. ย I love clothing. ย I love style, fashion and all of the ways we choose to adorn ourselves as humans. I love watching people get credit on the streets for being stylish. ย Mostly because they are expressing their unique style. Often runway style is influenced by street style.
Thereโs something to be said for watching trends and being able to show how things can translate. It doesnโt mean you have to be trendy. ย Itย doesย mean as you see white pants in the winter, you have an understanding of why itโs ok to wear them. ย Are they on trend? ย Were rules relaxed? What happened? ย Maybe you donโt care whatโs on trend and you wear what you want. ย Thatโs ok too! ย Itโs what style is about. ย The ability to express yourself as you choose to. ย Itโs about the way you want the rest of the world to see you when you step out of your doors.
from JustFab.com
Other reasons you should make it New York Fashion Week (or London, Milan, etc):
- Being visible and stylish as a plus size woman lets the industry know weโre here, weโre present and weโre a force to be reckoned with.
- You gain new perspective and insight on whatโs coming down the line. ย This also allows you to style yourself (and others as a stylist) ahead of the curve.
- Inspiration. ย I left NYC inspired and invigorated. ย Ready to write, create and do new things. ย It gave me the opportunity to think about the things I want to do and how can New York NOT inspire you?
- Itโs about more than fashion. ย Itโs about where all of the disciplines come together at one time. ย Music, art, creativity in various forms of expression.
- Additionally, all of the various looks with hair and make-up โ I love seeing whatโs on the stylists palette for the year.
- Donโt be afraid to talk with people. There are so many great and amazing people. ย From designers, to actors, writers, producers and artists. ย You can meet some of the most amazing people.
- Attend more than fashion shows. ย We headed to Lianne Farbesโsย amazing panel and networking event โ โCocktails and Coutureโ. ย The panel discussion was fortifying. ย Make sure to mix your events up and get some variety in there. ย Dinner with friends, go and head to a museum, head to various events.
While at times we are still seeking a greater diversity ON the runway and in the designing world, itโs key to still make ourselves known and seen. Fashion Week is about creativity. ย Itโs about the love of expression and adornment. ย Itโs always relevant. ย Who knows, when attending, you never know what youโll be inspired to do.
Rae, Love the dress that the girl 2nd from the right has onโthe grey geometric number. Itโs absolutely adorable. Who made it!
I do know it is an older ASOS Curve Dressโฆ Dont know if it is still on their site though!
Hi,
I would really like to attend fashion week in February of 2014 in NYC, but I donโt know what shows I can gain access to. It is my understanding that the run way shows for designers are invite only, do you have any insight on this?