What I Wore to New York Fashion Week and Affordable Alternatives

New York Fashion Week was a whirlwind. My four days in the city felt like a month of chaos. This was the first season in full effect post pandemic, and the frenetic energy was palpable.

I arrived in the city on Friday and hit the ground running. I stopped by a showroom by DOORS NYC to pull pieces (no luck) and then headed to a dinner hosted by my sis Monroe Steele. The dinner included a powerhouse of Black women fashion and lifestyle content creators.

After a nightcap with Brittany of Pockets and Bows and Chee of Brown Girl Chee, I went to a friend’s house in Brooklyn and crashed. I was up by 6 am on Saturday to prepare for my photoshoot in Manhattan.

After the shoot, I planned to attend a few shows, but it didn’t happen. One show even refused to let me wait in the lobby for it to begin despite the rain. Needless to say, the fashion industry can be tough. Thankfully, I spent Saturday night recharging my battery with Jeneé, Chee and my new friend Frank of Frank N The City. We had a blast!

On Sunday, I started to panic because I felt like I hadn’t captured the type of content my audience would want to see. Specifically, I was at New York Fashion Week, but hadn’t seen any FASHUN. However, right as I was feeling down, I ran into THEEE Kelly Cutrone at breakfast!

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Kelly is a legend in the industry with over twenty years of experience as a PR agent. She had her own show on Bravo called Kell on Earth and Lauren Conrad famously worked for her during her time on MTV.

I approached Kelly to say hello and she actually gave me a big hug and some advice. The next thing I knew, I was in a black car with her headed to a show she was promoting. It was totally mind blowing!

After meeting Kelly, I ran to Brooklyn for my meet and greet with Chee, Brittany and Cassan of the Cassan Edit. Many thanks to folks who came out in the rain to meet us!

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I’m beyond grateful for Mikaela Pabon who hosting us at HASHTAGBK, the boutique for her label Dressed in Joy. It was so fulfilling to be part of such an awesome community.

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After the meet and greet, I had to rest my very tired feet. I wondered around Soho a little, ate and visited the new Polene boutique. Stay tuned for my capsule wardrobe content on YouTube for an unboxing! I changed my clothes and arrived to a show just as the doors were closing. Yet another NYFW show bit the dust.

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New York Fashion Week Vlog

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Needless to say, I was feeling pretty down on Monday morning because my fashion week looked very different compared to previous seasons. I gave myself a pep talk and started my day by attending Cassan’s birthday brunch at RH Rooftop. The location is stunning and food was absolutely delicious.

While at brunch, Kelly Cutrone returned my thank you text from early that morning. I’d reached out to share my appreciation and take her up on her offer to see hair and makeup at the SHAO fashion show she was producing with Anna Delvey — YES YOU READ THAT RIGHT.

Kelly told me to come through, and I dropped everything. I rushed over to the location and had a life changing experience. To see Ted Gibson doing hair and the makeup artists working their magic was a dream come true. SHAO’s pieces are stunning, and the models killed the looks.

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Needless to say I was blown away. At one point Kelly threw me in front of the photographer to take photos. Like a pro, I didn’t hesitate. I swear, I was made for that moment.

About two hours later, Kelly pointed and asked if I was coming to the show. Without missing a beat, I said yup! I was on Anna Delver’s rooftop thirty minutes later.

When I say it was a whirlwind!!!

This New York Fashion Week was a reminder to run my own race and define my own lane. I couldn’t have predicted the twists and turns especially meeting Kelly Cutrone and Anna Delvey. I’m beyond grateful for being in the right place at the right time.