nykeiko plays: NYFW Backstage at Badgley and Mishka

You'll often see Bill Cunningham lurking around the tents during NYFW ..and please, don't ask him for pictures. He will say no!

I did not take time off for New York Fashion Week last week. I only had plans to attend one show after I came back from our trip to Montreal so I thought I could slip in and out of work without anyone noticing. Well, while I was in Montreal, two more invitations came in for Badgley Mishka and Jenny Packham and I had to make choices. I contemplated taking another day off but with lots of work waiting for me, I could not do so. My solution was to get to work a lot earlier than usual and leave late or until I finished everything. No harm done I think! What I did have to give up was attending project runway alumni Michael Costello's show at the Lincoln Center which was too late in the afternoon for me to go. I happily offered my invitation to a friend who did the smart thing and took a day off to attend. 

nykeiko plays: Jenny Packham AW 2015 [Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week NYFW Autumn Winter 2015]

Jenny Packham AW 2015 

Clad in Louboutins, models in dazzling Jenny Packham gowns strut down the runway at Industria Superstudio. Here are the non-blurry pictures I took from the show! I had to peel off from my seat and park myself beside the professional photographers to get these pictures or else it would just be a bunch of blurry pictures with tops of people's heads hiding half of the models.

nykeiko wears: The not-so-glamourous me during Fashion Week [NYFW 2014]

New York Fashion Week has come and gone and I have bombarded my blog with maybe one too many pictures from the shows. I hope you enjoyed them nonetheless as I did try to not to put every single picture I took and bore y'all. Behind the scenes, I tried to dress up for most of the shows but having to attend shows before or after work proved difficult for me to go all out. The cold weather didn't help neither. No hair blow-outs, no mani-pedis, no full makeup but there was definitely some sweating and wrinkly clothes. 

Here are just a few snapshots of a couple of outfits I wore. I did not take a picture of myself on day one because I really looked like crap and I also just didn't have the time. I attended 6 shows in total this season (click to view posts: Nicholas K, BCBG, Nicole Miller, Rebecca Taylor, Pamella Roland and ICB) thanks to someone who really went to great lengths to help me get some tickets. Not sure if I should share her name in case she gets bombarded with requests but thank you (you know who you are :) I would have loved to attend more if it wasn't for my work but maybe next time I should take a day or two off to be able to enjoy the shows without having to rush too much.

For Nicole Miller

Wilfred blazer/Isabel Marant pour H&M lace top/Rag & Bone jeans/Rodarte x Opening Ceremony shoes (bought here for $10)/Fallon necklace (bought here)

NYFW: Meeting Pamella Roland and runway pictures [New York Fashion Week Fall Winter 2014]

nykeiko: Pamella DeVos of Pamella Roland

Pamella DeVos started her career as a business woman and founded Pamella Roland back in 2002 when she felt a need to design comfortable gowns to wear for many of the events she needed to attend. Pamella takes pride in her dresses that are all made in the city of New York which undeniable needs more support as it is not only important for the city's economy but as well as the country's; not to outsource. Recently, she has been working on a more budget friendly line called Pamella by Pamella Roland although we are uncertain if the production of her dresses will remain in the garment district or to be outsourced.

I had the chance to briefly speak with the amicable Pamella right before her Fall Winter fashion show held at the Salon in the Lincoln Center. So here it is...

H: What was your inspiration for your Fall/Winter collection?

P: My inspiration started out here with my friend T.J. Wilcox who just closed his show ("In the Air") at the Whitney on Sunday. And when I went up to his studio, we saw all of New York and looked at some these buildings like the Chrysler building and Empire State building which were built in the early 30s. This is when we really got excited and were inspired from New York and the 30s and the art deco.

H: As you know, Alexander Wang moved his show into Brooklyn and created a big buzz. How would you feel if the entirety of NYFW was moved to Brooklyn? How would you feel about it?

P:(grimace) I don't mind it here. I was one that didn't not mind the move from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center but moving to Brooklyn would be really tough. I would say probably not.

H: I read that you have lived in Japan, Montreal, Chicago and Michigan. I have also lived in Montreal. What do you miss most about the city?
P: Well, I didn't live there but my business was there. I started with some Canadians and one was french canadian. I love Montreal. It is just Europe. It is a beautiful city. I miss going there all the time.

H: What is the first thing you do when you go there? 
P: We usually sit and have cocktails. It is just a beautiful city and I love walking around there.

H: What would you wear on your off day? Flats or heels?
P: Always heels.

H: What is one of your most expensive indulgences?
P: I love jewelry.

H: What would you do if you won the lotttery?
P: Mmm...I would go on a looong vacation.

H: Speaking of vacation, will you be going on vacation after the show?
P: Yea, I'm actually going to Aspen with my family after this is over.

That's it! Big thanks to the great PR team who helped make this happen for me. And below are some pictures from the show where we can easily see how Pamella drew inspiration from the city. Her collection was also very much about the 30s and glamour which were reflected through the model's hair and makeup. If you haven't seen them yet, here are some of the backstage pics I took.

Which dress do you think is reminiscent of the Chrysler building?

More pics ahead...

NYFW: Backstage at the Pamella Roland show [New York Fashion Week Fall Winter 2014]

It was so much fun being backstage before the Pamella Roland fashion show. The excitement mixed with pre-show adrenaline, the buzzing press and photographers and of course, slight hint of exhaustion from endless hours of work invested into one single show. I arrived more than an hour before the show and there was little chaos (no running, no shouting, no tears) which means the team was well-prepared. The collection was ready and hanging on the racks guarded by the dressers. Hair and makeup was already done and Nigel Barker gave the models a pep talk before a runway walk-through.

Here are just some of the candid backstage shots I captured...

Zendaya Coleman, Lydia Hearst, Pamella Roland, Nigel Barker, Laura Vandervoort

Nigel Barker, the back of his wife's head (Cristen Chin) and Lydia Hearst

NYFW: International Concept Brand (ICB) by Prabal Gurung [New York Fashion Week Fall Winter 2014]

I have heard of the Japanese label ICB back when I lived in Asia but no buzz here in the States. ICB has not been sold in the US since 2002 but US sales had been resurrected back in 2012 under the helm of its new creative director, Prabal Gurung. The Fall/Winter 2014 collection would be Prabal's eight collection for the brand.

I was excited to see what Prabal would bring to this contemporary label and was immediately taken aback by the coolness exuberating from the collection. All these pieces I could never pull off but if worn, would catch the eye of any street photographer. Oversized feathered coats, asymmetrical skirts, shimmery coats, two-toned low waisted trousers, shimmery textured jackets and rubber printed sweaters, tops and bottoms...all not so boring but not too eccentric.

Here are some pictures...

NYFW: Spotted at Rebecca Taylor FW 2014 [New York Fashion Week February 2014]

Zosia Mamet from Girls at Rebecca Taylor FW 2014 Fashion show

Blogger Kimberly Pesch [Eat, Sleep, Wear]

Robert Verdi, Stacy London and J. Alexander at Rebecca Taylor FW 2014

Dani and blogger Aimee Song (Song of Style)

Pictures by me

NYFW: The yummy jackets at Rebecca Taylor Fall Winter 2014 fashion show [New York Fashion Week February 2014]

I don't own any pastel or light-colored jackets but after seeing Rebecca Taylor's new Fall Winter collection, I'm thinking I should really think about it! I loved all the jackets and could see myself strutting around in Manhattan wearing them. Of course, I would be obsessed about not getting it dirty so no sitting on subways, no sitting on public benches, basically not going anywhere with it to keep it as clean as possible :)

Click here to see the full show in HD. You can spot me too!

NYFW: Nicole Miller Fall Winter 2014- Feeling grungy...[New York Fashion Week February 2014]

NYFW: Spotted After-BCBG Fall Winter 2014 [New York Fashion Week February 2014]

BCBG FW 2014 finale

Post- show paparazzi shots

Bloggers spotted: Aimee (Song of Style) and sister Dani, Rumi (Fashion Toast), Chiara Ferragni (The Blonde Salad), Bryan Boy

Spotted: Taylor Tomasi Hill and Wendy (Wendy's Lookbook)

NYFW In pictures: Nicholas K Fall Winter 2014 collection

Nicholas K FW 2014

Front stage and Backstage at Zang Toi [NYFW Spring 2013]

Backstage to a fashion show is crazy before and after the show. Press, friends and family are allowed backstage after a show but must wait for the models to put on their clothes.

I briefly got a peak backstage before the show and it was chaotic. Models getting hair, nails and makeup done, lots of press and men with big cameras trying not to hit anyone as they shoot as much as they could. Hair spray and face powder coming from every side. I had to contain my smile.

Here are some pics. No naked models.

Marc and Tien

How many celebrities can you recognize? There's Ivana Trump!

Fashion TV host with some Asian beauties including singer Baiyu

Yilin, Elena, Tien, Niki, Ling, Hsini

Lady in the middle asked me to take a picture after...

Cannot forget to show you guys what was in the goodie bags!

Zang Toi exclusive compact eyeshadow

Colors used for the Zang Toi fashion show. Lilac, silver, pink.

www.facebook.com/nykeiko
Tweet @nykeiko_com
Instagram: nykeiko

People watching at NYFW Emerson show [NYFW 2012]

Stripes

One lady thinks the model is hilarious

Pen in mouth, hand in pocket

Smell my hair please

This was my only favorite piece from the show and I didn't get a good shot!

Next please..

Face to face

Confetti rain to end

Lincoln Center

x

www.facebook.com/nykeiko
Tweet @nykeiko_com
Instagram: nykeiko