So guess what?
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