Zanna Roberts RassiFashion week is the most glamorous trade show on the planet, and fashions lifeblood!
After ten years in the industry, I've attended hundreds of shows, but this season is unique for me as I'm almost 8 months pregnant—a true test of my styling skills. #StyleTheBump—follow me @ZannaRassi.
7:30 a.m.: To avoid a daily morning panic I need to (vaguely) know what I will be wearing before Fashion Week kicks off. So, as I do for shoots, I style out looks and take photos before the week begins.
It's Saturday and generally we fashion peeps dress more casually on the weekend. I decide upon a menswear military look.
Acne pants (can only half button up), cozy White and Warren cashmere sweater, a bullet proof-looking Nellie Partow vest. (Nellie Partow is a new girl on the scene with a very big future) topped off with a chain hand piece by Eddie Borgo.
The antithesis of mummy-to-be!
9:00 a.m. : Creature Comforts: BLESS the lovely people at Lexus—sponsors of MADE fashion week for providing me with a car to get around in today.
I hop in and stop at Balducci's for a healthy bite to eat, ahem.
10:00 a.m.: Lacoste: The front row is a clashing mix of editors who went out too late last night and others who brought their kids (I've gone from the former camp to almost the latter in one season!)
I sit with my editor-in-chief Anne Fulenwider and her gorgeous mini me daughter Evie—attending her first fashion show.
The show is a "reconceptualization of golf wear" but not a fluro in sight just the colors of nature.
My fave being the utilitarian parkas.
Gone are the days when we relied upon compliments from colleagues on weather you looked "cute / chic / cool."
Today the real outfit test is the street paparazzi line!
Luckily today I had this lot snapping sufficiently.
Pathetic, I know, but phew!
12:00 p.m.: Prabal Gurung: Prabal's show takes place at the back of the 1912 Post Office on 33rd and 8th.
He lines the vast runway with giant brass gongs.
The first chunky waffle knit and cable sweaters worn with silky skirts are to die for.
I love the collection for its sportswear flair—unusual for him. But don't despair, Zoe Saldana, there are plenty of long sleeve Oscar worth gowns in crimson or midnight!
Even the crowned streaker couldn't drag our eyes of the beautiful looks.
1:00 p.m.: The NEXT generation: Over to Milk studios to watch Ostwald Helgason at MADE fashion week.
It's his first runway after graduating from presentations.
Top hits are the fruity sweatshirts and the metallic pieces.
1:40p.m. : Post show I make a pit stop in the VIP bathrooms at MADE & change in to my second look of the day.
A black sheer Elizabeth and James dress, leather J brand leggings (which I have lived in my entire pregnancy) and a shearing jacket by Burberry Brit.
2:00 p.m.: A moment with fashion royalty: The E! team and myself! News crew is invited to Cat Deeley's fitting with Diane Von Furstenberg for her front row appearance.
DVF floats in and knows immediately which of the fifty infamous wrap dresses Cat should wear.
She chats to me about front row politics and the new book she's penning then floats back out.
Cat and I stand in awe of her fabulousness.
3:00 p.m.: Eating for Three: I pop into my fashion week ‘canteen' The Standard Grill with the fabulous E! Producer, Vanessa and Natalie my assistant (and right arm) and I even snag a rare moment with my husband, Rassi.
Giddy at the opportunity of a sit down meal during NYFW, I order Hanger steak salad plus a Cobb salad, plus cookies and milk.
Well, I am eating for three.
4:00 p.m.: Refresh: The essential contents of my Burberry handbag to get me through the day looking vaguely presentable…
4.30 p.m.: Hot Ticket: Joseph Altuzarra has gone from cool kid to one of NYFW's most anticipated shows.
This collection is all about luxury—sumptuous double face cashmere coats and skirt suits, and an unusual use of bold color with fuchsia and grass green.
I think I spy the coat of the season….
6:00 p.m.: Tibi n' Friends: I'm a fan of Tibi for the fun contemporary line at a very reasonable price.
This collection doesn't disappoint. High points are the blue pastel overcoat, the blanket scarves worn as tops and the fake pleated skirts over pants.
I sit with my girls from Marie Claire and have a good old gossip!
7:00 p.m.: MADE presentations: Rising star designers show at MADE fashion week at Milk studios at the beginning of their careers. The MADE program is built on sponsorship enables designers to show at no cost (a normal show would cost in excess of $150,000). Four presentations are happening on the 8th floor of Milk simultaneously tonight: Nellie Partow, Calla, Jonathan Simkahi & Harbison.
Remember these names…for they are the next big things in fashion!
8:30 pm: Alexander Wang: Head to Brooklyn for the much-anticipated Alexander Wang show (and the much less anticipated journey).
The show starts (only 30 minutes late) with fast and furious looking supermodels turned fembots! Hairstylist Guido With painted their hair black to look like small helmets and eyebrows bleached out they strut around the square stage wearing inside out shearlings, zigzag jumpers neon anoraks and pseudo-utilitarian patch pocket coats and knee-high backless boots.
For the grand finale, the giant circular runway rotates, and as they pass a heater the girls clothes turn from black to blue or yellow or purple.
Cue applause! Then the hour-long trip home.
10:30 p.m.: Ankles: I skip the Wang after party and get home. It's only now when I take my heels off do I remember how pregnant I am!
Swollen ankles and all, I'm off to bed with iPhone in hand looking at my calendar for tomorrow….yikes! It's another big one!
Good night.