TRESemmé Provides Ready-To-Wear-Hair

For the twelfth consecutive season TRESemmé was the official hair care sponsor of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, allowing patrons of the shows to receive on-site styling at the custom built salon/lounge. Visitors could book appointments for complimentary styling by TRESemmé's team of professionally trained stylists, and then pick up a travel-size TRESemmé hair spray on their way out.

As per usual the stylish hair-care brand kept everyone looking fashionable both on and off the runway, and even made me look runway-ready! My stylist, Johanna, helped me to pick a style that was extremely trendy on the runways this past season while also framing my face shape. We went with a pulled back braid and some loose, flowy curls in the front. You can see more of her amazing work on her Instagram!

Katya Zol: Modern Mongolian Aesthetic

A few weeks ago at MBFW I had the amazing opportunity to be second row at fashion designer Zoltsetseg's most recent runway show. She has made it her personal goal to bring a modern yet traditional Mongolian aesthetic into her collections, as seen on the runway this past February. In the hopes of achieving this very unique and ethnic look, she uses many materials that would typically contrast rather than cooperate, such as felt, wool, leather, and cashmere. Currently one of the most successful designers in Mongolia, Ms. Zoltsetseg is the first Mongolian brand to ever present at NY Fashion Week.

In an ode to her culture and background, and the inspiration for her latest collection, she began the show with some traditional Mongolian entertainment. The presentation began with a Mongolian singer, followed by a tribal-painted acrobat performer. There was some heavy tribal influence seen in the gold makeup and the long braids worn by the models, yet the collection itself was extremely modern.

Why I Love Mark and Estel

Day 1 of New York Fashion Week had been an exhausting feat. It was 8:45 at night, and I was coming down hard from an energy shot. I looked at my schedule expecting another line of fur and cut-outs, and was instead genuinely excited that the closing show was Mark and Estel. I turned to the writer next to me, typing away at an article, and grabbed him by the sleeve. "We need to go to the closing show, it's Mark and Estel," I said. He had not been to their show the previous season, and was unfamiliar with their... unique... brand of entertainment/art fusion. I explained to him that it was not a duo to be missed, and hopefully the following will explain why.

Photo by Mark and Estel (c)

Though I could talk about their style and fashion trends for pages, this is a post dedicated to the two designers behind the brand Mark and Estel. Mark Tango and Estel Day started their line back in 2005 and they have since grown to over 300 retail locations across the US. Huge proponents of the "rocker" look, Mark and Estel are rockers themselves, in the most literal sense of the term. Their band (also aptly named Mark and Estel) was formed simultaneously with their clothing line, creating a bizarre yet oddly charming hybrid. In every M&E show that I've attended they have never disappointed, in both fashion and entertainment. I say this, because at the end of their runway shows, they put on a full-scale performance. Electric guitar, microphone, and all. There is really no way to explain what I mean, other than in video form. See for yourselves why Mark and Estel is one of my favorite shows to go to, and why everyone in the industry who knows of them has such a blast at their presentations. 

"The NYFW Diet"

The hottest topic regarding the fashion industry and Fashion Week seems to be the models, and their dietary regimes. What outside viewers don't typically take into account, however, are the diets of everyone else involved.

Last season, September 2013, I attended the shows at Lincoln Center as an accredited member of the press; or, in more casual terms, a writer with a badge. This allowed me access to the Samsung press lounge, where there was free coffee in the morning, food in the afternoon, and cocktails at night. Flash forward to February 2014, a barren landscape of *SmartWater and Diet Coke, with no carbohydrates to be found.

 Hungry writers, photographers, and bloggers sat in the Samsung press lounge for up to 13 hours without food, ensuring that all of their deadlines were met promptly and effectively. 
Though there is a small cafe inside of the venue, sandwich prices hover around the 12 dollar mark which seems an exorbitant price to pay, especially out of the pockets of the writers, photographers, and bloggers who continuously publicize and support Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Contrary to popular belief, there are tables stacked with food backstage at the runway shows, which is given only to those who are granted backstage access, and there is also a more exclusive lounge right next to the Samsung press lounge. This lounge is for IMG and their "invited guests," and always has a heavy flow of champagne, cheese, and finger sandwiches. 

I personally witnessed a few hungry journalists wander over to the entrance and politely ask if there were any extras, only to see them get turned away by burly security guards. This is what I not-so-fondly refer to as "The NYFW Diet" and in the 4 days I spent at the shows, I lost a whopping 7 pounds. Normally this would not come as a shock, but on a 115 pound frame the difference was noticeable. My parents were concerned if not slightly envious (they had recently started the Atkins diet), but I soldiered on with my co-workers, and got the job done. 

While there are other lounges that Mercedes-Benz makes available to their invited patrons, those without invites who still have accreditation are offered nothing in terms of necessary amenities. Every season it falls on the shoulders of the press and accredited media to promote and publicize the creative works of the talented designers who show their work at NYFW, but it seems that they are the ones who get the least amount of respect and accommodation. I adore the fashion industry and all of the people who work hard every year to make sure that Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is a success, but I hope that this shines some light onto the fact that the media is the most important aspect of fashion week and is not being taken care of as well as they deserve.

View of the lobby from the Samsung lounge

*Disclaimer: I love SmartWater and I love Diet Coke. I appreciate the fact that they contributed to the event and genuinely hope that both companies sponsor again in the fall!