Fashion Week is almost here…

by Karen Blanchard
5 February 2013

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So guess what?


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I’ve noticed something:  I get invited to shows now.  I know this in and of itself is not news – it’s been happening for a while.

However what does feel new is remembering what it was like before that!!

I’m going back to before February 2009…

I remember I would dress up, slip on dark shades (to hide behind) and waltz past security at Bryant Park, pretending that I belonged knowing full well that I didn’t.  Anytime I was shoulder to shoulder with security I prayed he wouldn’t reach out and grab my arm and bark “do you have a ticket??”

The girls with the clipboards however remained the biggest fear.  They chose who gets in and who didn’t.  They decided who got the last minute Standing Only card.  I remember keeping those white cards for months after.  Yep – that’s how much it meant to see an actual live fashion show. There is a brilliant story that springs to mind of my friend and I literally sneaking into a DVF show which I probably shouldn’t mention here. Let’s just say I’ll stop at the full details.

Fast forward to the past couple of years or so.

You now see countless bloggers doing the semi-annual fashion week pilgrimage but for anyone seeing those photos and thinking to themselves: “wow so lucky – I wish I could go to fashion week.”  Let me tell you this: I muttered the exact same words, so much so that it still hits me in Februrary 2013 that I get invitations versus trying to sneak in or get standing room only.

For those that don’t give a toss about fashion week then that’s fine but for those who are just starting out in this whole blogging thing (or contemplating it) and who can relate to these words, then know this:

Getting invites to fashion week shows is not the biggest moments of your life but if you can go then go.  You never forget the rush especially for the first ones you attend.  You can hear a pin drop when the lights dim moments before the first model pivots around the corner.

Yep!  Coming from East London and growing up around the brilliant street markets (Portobello I miss you!) and playing dress up with Mum,  for me the shows are still a ‘omg-I-am-really-here’ feeling. Still!

With all that said it’s the people on the streets that still inspire me.  The people that I rushed past in the first place to get into Bryant Park back in 2009.  Those people whether attending a show or not are the ones that inspire me the most.

Funny how life comes full circle…

The madness starts in a few days so look out for photos from the shows and of course – the streets.

Karen x

Category: Uncategorised

31 comments

  3. Aimee Christel says:

    Hi Karen,
    My name is Aimee Christel, and I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy reading your blogs and seeing your Fashion Missions on youtube. I recently discovered your blogs and have been so inspired by them and your personal style that I must admit you’ve become a bit of a muse for me.

    A couple of friends and I have started working on our own style blog, so I wanted to take a moment to thank you for sharing this particular entry because it gives people like us the hope that we can all still find something we love to do, even in this often-gloomy economic climate and ocean of naysayers. Thank you for sending out that positive energy by encouraging people like us to catch on and join the positive feedback loop that is creativity, that is self-expression and bask in the joy of our passion projects.

    Thank you so much!

    Aimee Christel
    Aim to Style fashion blog
    http://aimtostyle.com/

  5. Sasha says:

    How awesome. It’s important to look back and realize how far you’ve come.
    I was actually behind the tents at last year’s FW at Lincoln Center with a friend of mine and we saw you leaving a show and both screamed “Look! It’s Karen!” 🙂

  6. Rachelle says:

    It’s so funny you posted this, for the past week or so I’ve been trying to avoid social media because I’m so bumped that I won’t be able to attend fashion week. I know that maybe one day I might not feel this way anymore; But for now it would be a dream come true to attend NYFW.

    xo
    http://pinksole.com

  7. Laura says:

    What a great post – you’re so lucky getting invited its definitely what every fashion blogger aspires to! Can’t wait to see your posts during fashion week!

    x

  10. commeilfaut says:

    love that casual outfit…

    xoxo

    comme il faut

  11. The White List says:

    Haha! I know what you mean about keeping the invites till after. I started doing the same too. Then again, I could be accused of being a serial hoarder.

    Oddly enough, since I started blogging – this February’s London Fashion Week might (MIGHT) be the first one I give a miss. I absolutely loved my first time attending LFW and I had such a ball but kinda enjoyed it less with each consecutive one due to the extra BS that comes with it. I love the atmosphere but I’m not as keen on the whole hassle so much. Unless I get good seats in which case I’d probably be more eager to oblige. 🙂

  12. Eat.Style.Play says:

    I hope people really read this! It was enlightening and nice to see you be so honest about it. I still care about Fashion Week I’ve just abandoned all hope that I would ever be invited to a show. I honestly can’t wait to see what happens and what pictures you get this week and next week.

  14. PinkCheetahVintage says:

    Love the muscle tee and you r tousled hair!! That nice story made me go, “Awwwwwww”. 🙂

  15. Katya says:

    nice pictures♥

  16. Ashley Taylor says:

    Love your outfit, actually. And I would kill to be anywhere near NYFW. I can’t even begin to fathom seeing a show.

    xo Ashley
    luckylittlebird.blogspot.com

  18. Viv says:

    This is an inspirational post for a blogger like myself.. it is amazing to know how far you’ve come. I agree about loving the street style fashion of those who are attending these shows. It is spectacular to see the street style photos that emerge during fashion week. I can only hope to have the courage and guts like you to go and roam around fashion week without feeling self conscious about myself. Thank you for sharing your story with us!

    myblissisthisway.blogspot.com

  19. Confessions Of A City Girl says:

    This is a beautiful moment of nostalgia. The anticipation of having moments like these are what I hold on to in my quest for success, not as a blogger, but as a designer and entrepreneur.

    P.S. I love that you have Ribena on your counter top 🙂 #IslandGirls

    ~Sherine
    Confessions Of A City Girl / Check out my eyewear line Enerjiee

  20. Em says:

    That’s really inspiring Karen, thank you so much. I just started out myself and for years I’ve been wistfully thinking how amazing it would be to attend a show. It’s a good reminder that you need not measure your success and passion in invites.

    Thank you!

    xoxo, Em
    http://stylebydirtywater.blogspot.com

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  23. Daria says:

    le sigh. memories.

  24. Daria says:

    le sigh. the memories…..

  25. Zola Danger says:

    This was such a great post! Over the years I’ve been so jealous around this time of year because I want to be one of the girls at the shows but within the past year I have really become more self aware, more inspired, more spiritual in ways that I never thought and I’ve realized exactly what you have said. It would be amazing to go to a show and experience it in person but the real inspiration I get is from everyday people on the streets. That’s where you find things you would never see at a show; you get to experience fashion through other people’s eyes in ways you never would have thought! I love seeing how humble you are and hope to meet you one day! BTW I’m starting my own vintage and re-purposed vintage clothing company called Elektriq Vintage this Spring – I will have to send the link when it’s up!

  26. Diana Pimentel says:

    Very inspiring to us recent blogger !!
    Thanks for sharing !

    Diana P (fashionafter30s.blogspot.pt

  28. the style potato says:

    so so inspiring….i used to be one of those girls wishing that i could attend fashion week but yes, it is the streets where you find the real inspiration 🙂 so glad you’re so down to earth and genuine about the whole fashion week craze 🙂 yes it’ll be nice to attend a show but i’m also not depressed about not ever being invited to one and happy with my creative self and not taking fashion so seriously 🙂 cheers for the inspirational post, needed to hear this!!

  29. Jen says:

    I love your outfit, can you share where the pieces are from? especially the pants!

  30. Jen says:

    Enjoy fashion week! Can’t wait to see everything you share! Also, I love your outfit!! can you share where the pants are from?

  31. Lisa says:

    Karen, is that a Ribena in your first photo? 🙂

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