Despite only having a few hours to prepare for my very first New York Fashion Week, I couldn’t have been more thrilled to be jetting off to JFK. Me and the team had a packed itinerary of exhibitions, shows, dinners, and what many don’t calculate in: travel time! I wanted to take you along with me behind-the-scenes of NYFW through an inside look into my travel diary of styles, events, people, and places!
Day 1: Night at the Museum
09/08/21
12:03 PM: Arriving @ JFK
After a very rushed preparation the night before, I wake up early in the morning and say goodbye to the boys, arriving shortly after noon at JFK giddy with excitement. I had obviously been looking forward to this week for months, but the full magnitude of the reality of being here began to hit me as soon as I stepped out onto the NYC streets.
7:00 PM: Attend Dior: Designer of Dreams @ The Brooklyn Museum
After a quick check-in and breather at my hotel, my team got to work getting me ready for the first event of the week: the New York premiere of the Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition. The exhibit traces the history and legacy of the House of Dior (if you follow me on Instagram, you know Dior holds a very special place in my heart). I got to bask in the many inspirations of Dior: flowers, classical and contemporary art, and more. There are over two hundred haute couture garments, photos, videos, sketches, and accessories on display here.
I was so grateful to be in the presence of such beautiful work, especially as someone who works in the fashion industry and loves it as much as I do. Spinning around in my head-to-toe Dior outfit through the enchanted garden of the Museum’s central atrium, I gazed at the displays of vintage to modern pieces worn by everyone from Grace Kelly to Jennifer Lawrence, and found myself in tears. It was an absolute gift to attend.
Day 2: A Very Full Day with Very Lovely People
09/09/21
Stepping out in my new season Veronica Beard Oria Dickey Jacket and pants I made my way to 8th Street for the Veronica Beard Spring/Summer 2022 show. Meeting the Veronicas (Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard) behind this marvellous brand was incredible. Sisters-in-law and mothers of a total of eight kids between them, perseverance and passion led them to fulfilling their dream and launching the brand in 2010.
This fall’s show was all about highlighting and celebrating the multi-faceted women who live by the motto “Make it happen”, much like the Veronicas did. Their goal today is supporting women; women who persevere by working, raising families, or anything on the immense list of to-do’s we tackle on a daily basis.
P.s. Thanks for having me in this year’s event lookbook!
12:00 PM: Meeting with Tata Harper @ 5th Avenue
And I’m off to 5th Avenue to join the lovely Tata Harper for an Instagram Live talking Clean Skincare Essentials. We covered everything from clean beauty products, the art of layering, and what to look for in your clean beauty routine! I cannot tell you how much I learned from this pioneer of natural luxury skincare.
I am so inspired by Tata’s entrepreneurial approach to issues. She began her skincare line after not being able to find 100% natural products that were up to her standards. She encourages me and so many other women to not settle for less than we deserve.
Watch our full conversation!
3:00 PM: REVOLVE Gallery time!
Next I visited the REVOLVE Gallery, an exhibition featuring some of my favourite brands like Lovers + Friends, Ronny Kobo, For Love & Lemons, and many more. For the event I wore a Maje Paris sweater, Storets shorts, and Roger Vivier pumps.
The day ended with an evening meeting wonderfully talented influencers and fashion enthusiasts to celebrate the latest campaign from Roger Vivier. Cocktail hour was hosted at an Upper East Side boutique. We had some fun getting ready for this one! Complete with Roger Vivier bag and heels, we enlisted Smythe for an oversized camel blazer and this heart-stopping feather dress. Not a bad fit to frolic the city streets with at golden hour.
P.s. See all our looks from the event in Vogue!
Day 3: Michael Kors Show Day
09/10/21
10:00 AM: Urban Romance @ Central Park
Oh my God, my first Michael Kors show! These events are famous for a reason — they’re beautiful. From the live music to the decor to the clothing, it was a lot to take in and I was, as you can guess, pretty emotional. I was so grateful to be sitting front row and have the opportunity to appreciate the beautiful fashion moment that this was. I loved how this collection celebrates feminine silhouettes. I cheered when I saw we’re keeping the bra as a legitimate top option for the coming seasons! The show’s theme was “urban romance” and the timeless pieces were to serve as a love letter to this breath-taking city.
On a more personal note, the show served as a love letter to myself. I hated my outfit. In the chaos of the only evening I had to plan and pack for this entire week of multiple outfits, I just didn’t feel like I prepared enough. I had to work with what I had. So this situation showed me how far I have come with my confidence. A few years ago the reality of hating my outfit would have killed my self esteem and I wouldn’t have let myself enjoy the amazing experience I was presented with. I chose not to let that happen today. A definite highlight of the week was this show and this realization of growth in my self-confidence.
Of course I had to take some time to explore the city! I’m wearing Verie Loren Sunglasses in Sand, a Mango Long Linen-blend Waistcoat, with a Fendi First Small leather bag and Sam Edelman Ethyl sneakers.
Day 4: MET and Tennis!
09/11/21
Luckily, I had a free day to roam around the Big Apple and visit the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art just two days before the Met Gala (did you see the red carpet this year?).
Next we went to cheer on Leyla Fernandez at the U.S Open Tennis Championships with Lavazza USA. I’m wearing another Veronica Beard blazer and Tiffany & Co. necklace — because when in NYC, you wear as many outfits as you can pack!
Day 5: Miss Dior Reporting for Duty
09/12/21
3:45 PM: Getting Ready for Dior @ the hotel
We have a two hour head start to get ready for the Miss Dior Pop-Up. It takes a village to get this glammed up.
5:45 PM: Dior Pop-Up @ Meatpacking District
Just as the sunset struck Gansevoort Plaza during the Miss Dior Pop-Up, I paused to take another moment to take all of this in. The pop-up had a theme of bright florals; it was the perfect way to say goodbye to the summer season. I felt excitement overflowing at the idea of hosting a live shopping event the next day for Dior. But tonight, it was all about immersing ourselves in the colorful atmosphere. There were literally thousands of multi-colored flowers and installations designed by renowned florist Lewis Miller. You could say we had some fun with the Gram-worthy backgrounds…
Just a short walk from the pop-up is Pastis, a delicious French restaurant where I got to chat with so many friends (and new friends) from the Dior team!
Above photos by Julia Spicer
Day 6: Free Day Stylin’!
09/13/21
Since there was nothing on the schedule for today, I’m taking a look at my street style throughout the week!
Second photo in above series by Julia Spicer
Day 7: Hosting Time
09/14/21
I returned to Gansevoort Plaza to host an interactive live shopping event with the amazing Sai De Silva, or as you may know her, Scout the City. An incredibly successful digital creator, Sai is so open and informative on life, style, family and more, and often with a killer sense of humour! Sai and I shared details on the new Miss Dior EDP fragrance and our best kept makeup tricks with Dior’s beauty experts.
For this event I chose to wear my Verie Grace Sunnies, the same Tiffany & Co. Link Necklace I wore to the U.S Open match,
Michael Kors black vest, Dior hand bag, Giambattista Valli red leather pants, a white tee from The Frankie Shop, and Yves Saint Laurent Teddy Lace Ups.
Day 8: Closing Time
09/15/21
1:00 PM: Flight Home
After a long, incredibly fulfilling week, I made the journey home to Miami to reunite with Gary and the boys. It’s hard to put into words what this NYFW meant to me, but I’ll just say that the greatest experience was getting to meet so many of YOU! Whether on the streets between events or running into you at the events themselves, I met so many of you lovely beauties and I cannot wait for our next fashion week!
Until next time, NYC!
⸺ Valeria
Cover photo by Julia Spicer
