My Fashion Week Prep Disaster
Okay so Tuesday I thought “Hey, why not check out DTI Fashion Week buzz?” just for funsies. Tried grabbing a ticket online. Nope. Sold out weeks ago. Panicked a bit, called in some favors I owed – dude from a PR agency I helped last fall. Barely squeezed me onto a standby list.
Wednesday morning, chaos. Packed my camera bag, extra batteries, notebook… totally forgot my actual ticket confirmation email. Drove like a maniac downtown. Parking? Forget it. Circled blocks for 45 minutes smelling everyone’s car exhaust fumes. Ended up in some sketchy pay-lot charging an arm and a leg.
Inside The Buzzsaw
Finally got past security – felt like airport screening. Place was crammed. Seriously thought about peeking people’s outfits right there, but got shoved along by the cattle-herd crowd flow. They herded us downstairs first for some “experiential installation.” More like people bumping into glowing boxes pretending to look fascinated. Saw at least two people spill coffee.
Made it to the main runway area. Seat was way off to the side. Could basically only see the models walking straight towards me and away. Anything happening sides? No clue. Tried snapping pics, but the official cameras on that dolly track kept rolling right into my line of sight constantly. My shots? Half of them are blurry heads or just dolly wheels. Gave up after 15 minutes. Just leaned back to actually watch. You know, wild idea.
Trends Smacking Me in the Face:
- Big Ugly Shoes Everywhere: Clunky boots, platform loafers, sandals thick like bricks. Saw this on pretty much every other model. Some looked ready to climb Everest, others just looked like they tripped over cement slabs.
- Weird Pants: Super baggy, dragging on the floor type. Like the model borrowed grandpa’s PJs but forgot to hem them.
- Flashy Shiny Stuff: Metallic jackets that could blind you under the spotlights, sequins thrown on dresses like glitter bombs exploded.
- The Knot Obsession: Designer must’ve all got knot-tying guides! Belts wrapped like pretzels, straps criss-crossing jackets, sleeves tied in bows. Looked complicated. Could I tie my shoes that fast? Nah.
- Monster Coats: Saw one coat looked like a giant woolly mammoth hugging the model. Others puffed out, boxy shapes making folks look like walking refrigerators. Probably warm, though!
Aftermath & Honest Thoughts
Wanted to sneak backstage during the finale chaos. Got about three steps towards the “Restricted Access” doors before a very large, very stern lady security guard materialized. Nodded politely and shuffled away. Fast. Tried chatting up some “industry folks” milling about afterward. Mostly got “Love the aesthetic!” soundbites and air-kisses. Felt fake plastic.
Truth Bomb? A lot looked pretty darn unwearable for normal life. Like costumes, ya know? Stuff looked fragile – how you wash some sequined tangled top without wrecking it? Or walk downtown in giant platform shoes without twisting an ankle? Style sometimes seems to eat comfort for breakfast.
Grabbed a coffee (overpriced) at the venue. Found a quiet corner near the exit to scribble some notes. Hands still shaking a bit from the coffee. Saw people clustered near the VIP lounge door. Peeked. Just seemed… emptier? Less velvet rope, more slightly fancier discount snack bars. Place felt tired suddenly. Left before the last shindig. Done.
Would I do it again? Maybe if they paid me. Honestly? Might just camp on the couch watching the runway camel sightings online next season. Saved myself a headache.
