NYFW Joy Cioci, Emerson, Carlos Miele, Badgley Mischka

Here's a round up of some of my favorite looks from Joy Cioci, Emerson, Carlos Miele and Badgley Mischka.

Joy Cioci's ode to a 20s summer had pearl-encrusted swim caps, sea-salted nails and beautiful blues making me look forward to Spring.

We saw a lot of braids at the shows this season...and Emerson had some of the best, lying low on the forehead, and created by Zahir Ziani. Jackie Fraser-Swan's inspiration was 70s horror films, with the black and white ensembles balanced out with softer floral pieces and touches of red like the finale's burst of red confetti, Carrie-stylez. Dancing With The Stars' Maksim Chmerkovskiy was there, as were other recognizable celebs: Crystal Reed (Teen Wolf) and Johnny Wujek (ANTM creative director).

You know how much I love a good print, and Carlos Miele delivered. Paula Abdul, Vanessa Williams and Daisy Fuentes are fans. (It was also fun to see Joy Adaeze in front of me) always with cool headgear and go backstage after the show.

I may have been slightly more excited to spot Bryanboy (and Kelly Bensimon, who I photographed backstage at Alice + Olivia, Ivana Trump, Lauren Conrad, Kevin Jonas) in front row than to pay attention to the beauty of Badgley Mischka. That's until the show started, and then their romantic “Midsummer Night’s Dream” inspired collection had a lot of beautiful pieces that took my breath away, namely the final coral layered organza number....what a dream. Remember when this happened?

NYFW David Tlale

I was honored to be capture David Tlale's presentation at NYFW, as he's a native of Johannesburg, South Africa, and I grew up in Botswana, living there for 10 years, so my support for anything African comes from a solid place in my childhood heart.

Major props go out to his collection, which was a remarkable vision of a modern Africa.

David Tlale says of his work:

"We showcased a very urban Africa. The collection exuded elegance and sophistication. I called it “Transcendence,” because I wanted to show a migration from the “perceived” Africa to a more modern and transcendental work that goes through and beyond cultural nuances and the delivery of that work to the global consumer.”

I briefly met Dr. Precious Motsepe who is a well known figure in South Africa and the US, as director of African Fashion International and the head of Motseppe Foundation; and she was enamoured with the the collection, as was everyone else I overheard at the presentation...

NYFW Bill Cunningham

Everyone always gasps and picks up their cameras when they see the iconic blue jacket with Bill Cunningham in it, at fashion week.

I, was no different. Remember last time?

NYFW Alice + Olivia SS 2013 Backstage + Presentation

I was thrilled to be invited to shoot Alice + Olivia backstage and presentation at NYFW.

I have never fallen so in love with color as I did at this presentation. Everything was just gorgeous, from the skillfully applied makeup (I am a huge fan of this Stila product) to the sleek low pony-tails and of course, the colorful, perfectly fitting, 50's inspired collection. The energy backstage was contagious, not to mention how fun it was to see Kelly Bensimon give interviews and snapping photos with her iPhone.

Another highlight for me was meeting Jamie Beck (From Me To You) who I've admired for a long time. She was really sweet and I literally died when THIS was taken.

I also had a chance to meet Kelly (The Glamourai), Rebecca (Rebecca Prus) and Kim (J'Adore Couture) all of whom were as lovely as one could imagine. Then my new fashion week friend Chris (TheTinyTieRant) and I hightailed it outta there for more shows!

So here, in a bit of gritty photojournalistic style...I hope you enjoy.

NYFW Norisol Ferrari RTW SS 2013

This was one of my favorite shows I went to at NYFW. Sitting in front row might have had something to do with it. Possibly. But truly, Norisol Ferrari's SS 2013 collection. inspired by iconic film actresses like Munroe, Hayworth, Fontaine, Kelly and Garbo, was an ode to feminine curves and ageless grace.

Speaking of which, Ferrari had a wonderful group of seasoned models walk down the runway: Carmen Dell 'Orefice, 81, Carol Alt, 51, Alva Chinn, 57 and Karen Bjornson, 58, all of whom worked those perfectly tailored dresses like there was no tomorrow.

And in my mind, I saw the whole thing in silhouettes and shadows.

NYFW Erickson Beamon SS2013

Karen Erickson and Vicki Beamon showed their SS 2013 collection in a spectator style presentation, with an "audience" seated on bleachers decked out in bold Erickson Beamon jewelry. Female models clad in lingerie-esque gowns and woven sweaters wore brilliant geometric necklaces and were carted along by well-coiffed-Converse-wearing male models.

NYFW: SEEN: George Kotsiopoulos at Tracy Reese

There wasn't a fuller house than at Tracy Reese's show.

I literally got there (from Boston) as the show was starting and was rushed in by security, so there was zero room in the press pit (where I was invited to shoot), and my resulting vantage point was less than ideal.

Still, it gave me a chance to actually enjoy the show: spectacular tribal-ly green prints, side-parted hair and chem-lab glasses, and afterward, a spotting of George Kotsiopoulos!

New York Fashion Week: Prete & Bruno

Prete & Bruno was my final NYFW show, and one where I wasn't in the pit, which was a nice change. The Trendy Dwarf and I had a great vantage point of the whole collection. I absolutely loved all the black, golds and greens. One couldn't tell by it's flawless execution, what trouble they had in putting on the show. Everything was classic and elegant, right up to the beautiful chignons created by Vince Smith. And those shoes.

To round up New York Fashion Week, for me, in one word: exhilarating.

Looking forward to next season!

New York Fashion Week: SEEN: Shenae Grimes

"It's the girl from 90210!" A lot of people I overheard didn't know her name, and I'm not going to lie, nor did I, but I recognized her and she was smiling and having a great time. Even posed with fans for photos.

 

New York Fashion Week: SEEN: Coco Rocha

If seeing Brad, Rachel, Garance and the Sartorialist wasn't enough, Coco Rocha walked by!

New York Fashion Week: SEEN: Garance + Scott

Was excited to first catch Scott Shuman passing by unnoticed and waiting in the hallway...for Garance? Then I caught sight of her greeting some friends. All before the DVF show.

New York Fashion Week: SEEN: Rachel Zoe

I died when I caught sight of Rachel Zoe coming out of the DVF Show with Rodger Berman and the rest of their crew. Bananas.

New York Fashion Week: SEEN: Brad Goreski

Before and after the DVF show, the tent "lobby" filled up with lots of familiar faces. 

The best was this moment, when I called out, "BRAD!" to Brad Goreski who was in front of me, making him turn around and smile.

Don't you just love his trench and studded clutch?

New York Fashion Week: SEEN: Red

There sure was a lot of red below the belt at NYFW. Remember when we first saw it?

New York Fashion Week: SEEN: Man Repeller

I spotted Leandra Medine, aka The Man Repeller just as she was leaving the DVF show. She's so sweet and I want her jeans.