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.

"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!